Looking Back …

A look at the people and happenings of the area over the past 100 years

If you have information, pictures, artifacts, old company or church newsletters, family letters or anything else that sheds light on life in MHC-Patrick through time, please consider sharing them with the museum - either lending or gifting us the originals, or copies.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Jan. 9 through the century, from 2025

1925, Piedmont Produce Company and Chicago furniture market; 1950, NAACP lawyers defend Martinsville Seven; 1961, marriage licenses; 1975, “I’m OK, You’re OK”; 2000, inmate with AIDS.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Jan. 7, back a century from 2025

1925, a surprise quiet wedding; 1950, new studio for WMVA; 1961, lost & found; 1975, comprehensive plan for City; 2000, last day at Tultex.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Jan. 6 going back a century

1925, Virginia’s largest distillery in Ridgeway; 1950, slow sales in Chicago; 1961, Drewry Mason High School’s Dramatic Club; 1975Kyle Oakley killed in robbery; 2000, state aid to Tultex workers; freak accident killed postal worker.

(PHOTO: Drapers Barber Shop)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

A century’s worth of Jan. 5, from 2025

1925, court day; 1950, men who went to Chicago furniture market; 1961, Chamber’s budget; 1975, cutbacks at Bassett; 2000, oldest log cabin, and Tultex’s new loan. (PHOTO: Courthouse Square)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Jan. 4, a century back from 2025

1925, vehicle owners must pick up tags; 1975, new lines for AEP; 1961, how Stella was named; 1975, Roses sale; 2000, J.C. Wooldridge Inc. to close. (PHOTO: looking down Main Street from courthouse, 1874)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Looking Back on Jan. 3 through the years, from 2025

1925, Mort Hairston falls to his death; 1950, Farmers Warehouse deemed unsafe; 1961, Paul Toms’ letter to Santa Claus; 1975, Mrs. Rives Brown Jr. explains Big Jane; 2000, Matt Ashburn’s Y2K journal. (PHOTO: Craig and Bassett Store and Undertaking)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Looking Back at Jan. 2, from 2025

1925, pony fall; 1950, deals at Troxler; 1961, E. Lyle Clark Jr.’s prize cow; 1975, donations for James Aliff; 2000, Men’s Roundtable, and year’s first baby Cameron David Spencer. (PHOTO: Phospho-Litihia Springs in Ridgeway)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Back in time from January 1, 2025

1924, cholera outbreak at P.S. Ford’s kennel; 1950, prizes for Douglas Edward Woods Jr.; 1975, crazy weather in Ridgeway; 2000. Chaplain Richard Morris retires, and Fieldale loses Officer David Deisher. (PHOTO: Church Street in the 1940s)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 31

1924, Women’s Christian Temperance Union; 1949, Hedgecock Brick Co.; 1960, prizes lined up for first baby of 1951; 1974, Eagle Sandwich shop and a pool hall to go; 1999, Y2K precautions.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 30

1924, RMA keeps track of local credit scores; 1949, prizes for New Year’s baby; 1960, 1,000 local people get measles; 1974, Martinsville Convalescent Home; 1999, Mickie Martin is over new Enhanced 911 for Patrick County. (PHOTO: Jesse Shackelford’s home and hospital)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 28

1924, call 157 for liver pudding, side meat, pickled hot feet, chip beef and more; 1949, Fontaine Converting Works Inc. provides insurance for workers; 1960, cost to keep prisoner nearly doubles, to $2 per day; 1974, organizations help James Vernon Aliff, whose family was murdered; 1999, Church of God gives use of baseball field.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 27

1974: Neighbor and coworker Shanghai Thomas arrested for murders of the Aliff family; also on this date, 1-digit phone numbers; hazards for children, article by 5-year-old Timothy Downey published, loans for laid-off workers.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 26

Momentous time in local history - the Aliff family were murdered 50 years ago today. Also, Christmas party for less fortunate children at Club Martinque (1949), 4-year-old Frankie Bullock’s disappointment and 1999 Junior Misses Shauna Rose and Alexis Hairston. (PHOTO: Oct. 29, 2909, Glidden Tour along the National Highway from NY to Atlanta, eight gas buggies and 20 people showing that cars were safe and reliable.)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 25

1924, 1949 and 1960, Pythians’ Christmas tree with gifts for 1,000 to 1,500 children; 1974, tragedy in Bassett; 1999, 700 at Mission Center’s Christmas dinner.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 24

1924, earthquake; 1949, Christmas decorating winners; 1960, more Christmas winners; 1974, Veneta Davidson and Nancy Oakes’ recycled ornaments; 1999, Steven Goff’s decorated yard. (PHOTO: Athol, house on Church Street built by Judge Stafford Gorman Whittle. He and his son, Kennon C. Whittle, served on Va. Supreme Court.)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 23

1924, cholera in Ford’s hog kennels; 1949, heavy downtown shopping; 1960, plants close for holidays; 1974, young men die in wreck; 1999, free toys for 2,670. (PHOTO: 1970s Collinsville)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 22

1924, flowers; 1949, holiday closings and bonus checks; 1960, sheriff’s office helps jailer’s widow; family of 12 homeless after fire; 1999, bills to help the laid off. (PHOTO: 1898 Choral Club gives Old Folks Concert.

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 21

1924, wedding of popular young farmer and attractive bride; 1949, jeweler in jail; 1960, baton teacher Patti Mays'; 1974, Sheriff’s Office under review'; 1999, toys for the needy. (PHOTO: 1930s east on Church Street from Bridge Street)

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Holly Kozelsky Holly Kozelsky

Dec. 20

1924, new law on automobiles - registration; 1949, bob-tailed mule; 1960, train-truck collision; 1974, Bob McLachlan’s Boy Scout troop in Africa; 1999, City’s water campaign.

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