Jan. 28

1925

On Jan. 28, William R. Stultz, owner of the City Pressing Club, and Dan Hairston, an employee, died in an explosion, while they were scouring a gasoline tank. There were no witnesses, but the theory was that they had drawn off the gas, and then turned steam into the tank to scour it, and having no vent to allow the steam to escape, the explosion resulted. Hairston was thrown about 200 feet away, and Stultz was thrown about 20 feet through an archway.

1950

Vandals broke out the windows of the nearly completed Martinsville Community Hospital in West Martinsville. The hospital was built for black patients at a cost of $60,000 already spent and $10,000 needed to complete it, raised by the community, with $28,000 from the Jaycees.

1961

Ad: “By Popular Demand! This beauty special will extend to February 11th.  Stratowave regulary $20, $10 – 50% off during January. Our luxury permanent wave slashed in price for this month only – wonderful savings plus an exciting bonus – a special certificate entitling you to the same reduction on your next Stratowave! BEAUTY SALON SECOND FLOOR.” The ad did not specify Globman’s, but it was a small block ad attached to a large, tall ad for Globman’s.

1975

Demolition began on most of the buildings on th north side of Church Street below Bridge Street, completing Phase I of the Central Business Development Plan. Across the street, on the south side of Church, construction just had begun on the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Martinsville’s new office building, which cost $890,000. Stanley W. Bowles Corp. was the general contractor. The savings and loan association had been in Martinsville since 1924 and at 2 E. Main St. since 1964.

2000

Martinsville led the state in unemployment at 19.6%, while the rest of the state was at a 30-year low, at 2.6%. Henry County had the second highest unemployment rate, with 11.6%.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.