March 12
100 Years ago – 1925
Anyone wishing to raise a hog in Martinsville was required to get a permit from Health Officer R.M. Wilson, permits available Saturdays from his office above the post office. No hog could be kept within one block of any hospital or hotel, and no hog could be kept closer than 50 feet to any house, street or alley. The hog pen must be at least 48 square feet with an enclosed 100-foot lot of ground space for each animal. The floor of the pen should be 12 inches or more off the ground, of good material, and kept clean.
The 2-day Farmers’ Institute was held in Axton. Topics of programs included “Managing the Farm Flock,” “Bright Tobacco Rotations and Fertilizers,” “Can the Farm Family Afford Modern Institutions,” “Farm and Finance”
75 years ago – 1950
Librarian Mrs. Zola Davis announced that the Martinsville City Library had set new records for itself in February: 1,165 books lent out (previous record, 853, in July 1949) and 124 new library cards issued. The library also added 155 books to its shelves in February, bringing the total to 5,142. Martinsville Branch Manager Tammy Cope told the Historical Society on Jan. 22, 2025, that the Blue Ridge Regional Library system has 314,354 items in the system, and 135,341 of them are in the Martinsville branch. The library system has 45,075 cardholders.
50 years ago – 1975
The monthly scrap paper drive had begun. Containers were placed in supermarkets around the area, and a big truck was parked in the back lot of Patrick Henry Mall. These were to collect old newspapers and magazines only. Stores were Kroger, Cooper and Ratcliff markets and Winn-Dixie.
25 years ago - 2000
Officers of the Rajah Temple No. 195 of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (DOKK) were installed: Mike Thornton, royal vizier; Bobby Riggs, grand emir; Beverly Byrd, sheik; Mickey Altizer, mahedi; Billy Shilling, secretary; Wayne Bennett, treasurer; Terry Stump, satrap and Randy Ashworth, sahib.
First United Methodist Church held a fine arts series, “Five Sundays at Five,” and the performer this date was Melody Morrison of Statesville, N.C.