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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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.
Jan. 8 through the years, from 2025
1925, experimenting with traffic arrests; 1950, adult education at MHS; 1961, shooting by grave-diggers; 1975, Family YMCA; 2000, pet rocks.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.)
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.)