April 2

By Holly Kozelsky and Pat Pion

100 Years ago – 1924

A telephone directory for the area was in the works. Any telephone subscriber who wished to have his or her telephone number and address in the director were directed to mail that information to Supt. J.R. Gregory.

75 years ago – 1949

Martinsville high school hosted the District V music festival, which featured about 1,100 music students performing for an audience of about 2,000.

1960

Henry County was booming. The State Director of Appraising, Fred C. Forberg, stated at a meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors that property values had increased nearly 43 percent over 1953 levels, making the value of private property in the county around $16.5 million; in 1953 property values were set at $11.5 million, an increase at that time of $5 million. Property was taxed at $3.50 a hundred.

Martinsville City Officials approached Danville authorities to discuss the possibility of an airport halfway between the two cities. An exploratory conference to take place in short order was initiated to discuss the possibility.

50 years ago – 1974

Henry County had proposed a subdivision ordinance which had a split in the Board of Supervisors and protests and controversies throughout the county. If a split would occur, court-appointed tie-breaker William F. Franck would be called upon.

25 years ago – 1999

It was Good Friday, and at least 235 children hunted for treasure-filled Easter eggs – and the Easter Bunny arrived by helicopter – at a large event sponsored by Henry County Parks & Recreation.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin accessed on microfilm at the Martinsville Branch Library.