1924: linen dresses at Kolodny’s; 1975, DuPont sets world safety record; 1960, MHC Civic Music Association subscriptions; 1974, P&HCC biologists honored; 1999, PAA and VMFA partner up. (PHOTO: Central Grammar School on Brown and Cleveland)

1924, Kearfott & Sons buy out Beckner’s; 1949, Martinsville in the grasp of a pyramid scheme; 1960, Lucie Freeman, Robert Copeland win; 1974, Justice Department stands up for black voters in Martinsville; 1999, big industry news. (PHOTO: Church Street mid-1960s)

1924, Large crowd at Farmers Warehouse hears prominent NAACP advocate; 1949, a quiet Easter Monday; 1960, 12 Easter sunrise services planned; 1974, bed-pushers, led by Danny Turner, broke record; 1999, William Stone Jr. new U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge. (PHOTO: Corner of Bridge and Walnut)

1924, work on railroad and houses for employees of the future Stanleytown Furniture Co. began; 1949, Frances Goins most beautiful Ridgeway high school senior; 1960, second arrest for fishing before the season; 1974, Martinsville High School bed-pushers, led by Danny Turner, attempt to beat world record; 1999, movies at the Rives.

1924, reckless driving charge; 1949, Military Police and FBI investigate Bassett robbery; 1960, Religious Emphasis Week at Bassett High School and woman arrested for fishing trout two days before season opens; 1974, smoking section considered for Martinsville buses; 1999, construction to double Blue Ridge Rehab’s size.

1924, “Contribution Day” to help clinic for crippled children; 1949, Bulletin’s church news page begins; 1960, brush fire in city covers 25 acres; 1974, Progressive Ladies and Gentlemen’s Club held Easter egg hunt; 1999, long lines to buy county tax decals. (PHOTO: Standard Garment on Cabell Street)

1924, Mt. Pleasant honor roll; 1949, porcelain and chrome table sale at Troxler; 1960, gas war in Martinsville; 1974, Pillowtex signs agreement with Mexican firm; 1999, 1,500 attend services in new Blackberry Baptist sanctuary. (PHOTO: Shackleford Hospital on Church Street)

1924, new Home Demonstrator will live with Mrs. Penn on Starling; 1949, using dynamite to make drainage ditch on farm; 1960, downtown stores to stay open past 1 Wednesday to make up for Easter Monday closings; 1974, Mary S. Martin at end of her term as Mother of the Year; 1999, power company pays back City $1.64 million. (PHOTO: Chief Tassel service station across from Henry Hotel)

1924, rural carriers on wagon or motor vehicle routes; 1949, marital discord; 1960, charges for throwing bottle at Richard Petty’s car; 1974, neighbor comes to the Rescue Squad’s rescue; 1999, Gateway Streetscape beautifies school grounds. (PHOTO: Camp Branch School 1928)

1924, the Hot Stuff Minstrels; 1949, Martinsville Seven indicted; 1960, honors for Greenwood Garden Club and Martinsville Council of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs; 1974, Lawson Flood’s house moved across 58; 1999, ten days of tragedy took their toll

1924, agricultural credit corporation; 1949, small touches for comfort and efficiency; 1960, Ruth Pace’s choir and Martin Processing announces move and kisses for Richard Petty; 1974, bust on porn; 1999, Arbor Day at VMNH.

1924, Patrick Henry Chapter DAR get telegraph from Washington; 1949, state police chase gunmen; 1960, wife’s right against girlfriend upheld in court; 1974, help wanted ads by the gender; 1999, ribbon-cutting for B K-Mart. (PHOTO: Collinsville in the 1970s)

1924: “no questions asked” on odd find on Public Square; 1949, land bought for new black high school between Fieldale and Horsepasture; 1960, money for Community Recreation Center on Cleveland; 1974, propagating azaleas; 1999, car prices at Riddle (PHOTO: 1874 looking down Main Street from Courthouse Square)

1924, applications “to sell ardent spirits for medicinal purposes”; 1949, Dr. Judith Szulecki announced setting up practice; 1960, Virginia governor says lunch counter operators who refuse to serve black people are safe; 1999, murder and shootings at Taylor’s Little Grocery on U.S. 58. (PHOTO: Rough and Ready Mill Reed Creek Bassett Fork)

1924: Councilman must attend to be paid; 1949, “can be seen on porch at Davis Home”; 1960, Miss MHC Beauty Pageant; 1974, Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary Top Hat Revue; 1949, lottery frenzy. (PHOTO: Looking from old River Hill dam)

1924: Local reps of the Tobacco Growers Ass’n; 1949, (PHOTO: Fort Trial Baptist Church homecoming 1930s); 1949, Pepsi doubles in size - to 12 oz; 1960, Barbara Zimmerman wins state art contest; 1974, teacher salaries; 1999, Sportsman’s Club hosts 1,000 for Easter egg hunt.

1924, proposing transportation for students; 1949, Lloyd’s Jewelers time line; 1960, 160 tobacco farms in Henry County; 1974, “three emotional hours of virulent rhetoric” over proposed ordinance; 1999, Hugh Gerlach honored.

1924, students present operetta; 1949, Patrick Henry and Albert Harris schools under construction; 1960, new earth-orbiting weather-eye station; 1974, case against Va. Telephone & Telegraph’s Martinsville division dropped; 1999, Axton residents say they want water but don’t grant enough easements. (PHOTO: Craig and Bassett store and undertaking)

1924, telephone directory in the works; 1949, 1,100 music students at festival; 1960, property tax $3.50 per 100; 1974, split vote over subdivision ordinance; 1999, Easter Bunny arrives by helicopter.

1924, new home demonstrator arrives; 1949, prices of home-delivered milk drop to 13 cents a quart; 1960, 25-year-old loses driving privileges for 5 years; 1974, award offered by Beverly Marie Hairston’s family; 1999, furniture jobs increasing. (PHOTO: Train derailment in Koehler)