March 16

100 Years ago – 1925

George J. Gravely of Sandy River, the chief forest warden of the county, and District Warden George W. Barrow visited several local schools to teach children the importance of saving forests from fire or any kind of destruction.

75 years ago – 1950

Virginia Avenue got its name, during this time when citizens of Collinsville were naming streets and erecting street signs. Before that, it was just called U.S. Route 220.

50 years ago – 1975

Martinsville Jaycees were selling 1,800 jars of apple butter to raise money for MARC Workshop and the Virginia Jaycee Camp for special needs children. The cost was $1 per jar.

25 years ago - 2000

American of Martinsville, which made furniture for motels and hotels, won LADD Furniture Inc.’s Chairman’s Award for the fifth year in a row. The award recognized the best operating division of the company’s 22 facilities. Michael P. Haley was American’s president.

Seven-year-old Kimberly Rowe was credited for saving her family from a fire that destroyed their mobile home, which was on Stillbrook Drive in Joyce Trailer Park.

Rich Acres Elementary School had spent a year considering converting to a year-round school, and now was moving in that direction. The state approved the change, and the school expected to make the change in August. It would be the second year-round school, after Clearview.