Old Time Revivals

Who knew that, in the early 1950s, revivals were held in country churches in August? Special music far different from “Sunday Morning” music was usually provided. Particularly memorable was Mr. Glasgow playing his saw at Gum Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church one hot night. The haunting wail of the saw combined with the night noises wafting in the open windows gave me goose bumps. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Hands-on Education

Who knew that, for many years, everyone taking physics from Mr. Robert Williams at Grove School was required to build a working electric motor? There was much collaboration and some of the motors were Rube Goldberg affairs, but on the appointed day, they usually all ran. Around 1978, Mr. Williams dusted off a motor submitted by Jack Nichols 20 years earlier and ran it for his class. Source - Jack Nichols. Submitted by Ray Harding (mine ran on the test day)

Lee Fountain

Who knew that 100 years ago there was a fountain at Lee School, located just where the current one sits? Photos of the day show it operating with a plume of water. It is a mystery how such a fountain operated at that time. Did it re-circulate the water and if so, how? Submitted by Ray Harding.

Pet Source

Who knew that you can find a pet in Paris, Tennessee, at vast.com? The web site pulls potential pets from a variety of sources and costs.

Grades Shared Classroom

Who knew that Miss Mary Margaret Richardson taught first grade and Miss Robbins taught second grade, at the same time, in room 8, at Lee School, in 1954. Source: Jean Bucy Owens

Little House House Books are Timeless

Who knew that Miss Stella Dunn, second grade teacher at Lee School, would read to her students each day after lunch? She read from the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In 1954, second grader Helen Harding (Henderson) wrote a letter to the 87 year old author. Helen soon received a hand-written personal letter from Mrs. Wilder, which is now framed and on display in her home. Source - Helen Harding Henderson by Ray Harding.

Clock Tower Bell was once School Bell

Who knew that the bell now in the Henry County Courthouse clock tower was “used equipment” when it was installed in 1896. It was once the school bell in the belfry of the Odd Fellows Female Institute (a school for girls at the corner of McNeil and Market St. which opened in 1854 ) Source – HCHS History Dept. brochure. Ray Harding

Early Paris Had Log Courthouse

Who knew that, when Paris was laid out in 1823, lots around the public square were sold for $200 each? A few months later the town had a log courthouse, five general stores and three hotels. Source: Tennessee Frontiers by John R. Finger.

A Cruise to Paris...

Who knew that PJ Humphrey wrote and sings a song called "A Cruise to Paris...Tennessee"? I listened to it on YouTube. Rick Conger.

Favored Retirement Location

Who knew that the Kentucky Lake area's status as a retirement center has been written up in the Wall Street Journal and other publications. The lake draws visitors from all over the country and many have returned to retire here, settling along the shores of the lake. Source: Our Town USA.

Circus Excitement

Who knew that in the 1940's and into the 1950's, the circus grounds were just off Rison Street, a short walk through the woods from Lee School? One day when the circus was setting up, the Lee School children were taken on a hike to see all the excitement of setting up the midway, erecting the tents, and unloading the animals. Source - Ray Harding.

Spiral Slide Fire Escapes Inspired Students

Who knew that long time Lee School Principal Miss Charlie McGehee had an interesting way to familiarize students with the spiral slide fire escapes and encourage academic achievement at the same time? Children who made 100% in spelling on certain Fridays would be allowed to go down the slides at the end of the day.  Source – Ray Harding

Mr. Mack Guerin - 44 Years

Who knew that Mr. Mack Guerin, beloved Janitor at Lee School for 44 years, was hired in 1924 and retired in 1968 at age 90?  Described as a “silent, comforting presence”, he was known simply as "Mack" to generations of children. He would clean up anything that hit the floor at the school without a trace of grimace. Source –Tribute to Mack at the 2008 Lee Association Annual Meeting. Ray Harding

Students Couriers

Who knew that in the early 1950’s Miss Charlie McGehee used students as couriers to deliver large amounts of lunch room money to the bank? In 1950-1953, John Collins and I would regularly carry a bank bag to First Trust Bank and seek our favorite teller, Mr. Ralph Bowden. Always vigilant en route for robbers and desperadoes, we never had a problem. Source – Ray Harding

Entertainers from Henry County

Who knew that entertainers from Henry County include Rattlesnake Annie, country music singer; Bobby Jones, award-winning gospel performer; Buster Jones, host of Soul Unlimited; Cherry Jones, Tony Award-winning actress; Merle Kilgore, country music writer and manager; Keith Lancaster, founder of the Acapella Music Group; Ula Love, Hollywood starlet and member of the Ziegfield Follies; Harry Neal, member of the duo-piano team of Nelson and Neal; Ricky Revel, country music singer; Jackie de Shannon, pop music singer; and Hank Williams Jr., Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. Source: henrycountytn.org. 

Chesney's Paris Tennessee

Who knew that Kenny Chesney wrote a song titled Paris Tennessee?  

Total Trust

Who knew how much times have changed? In 1953-54, one of my PI customers was a self-proclaimed tightwad. He only bought the paper on Thursdays to see the sale ads. If no one answered the door, I was instructed to enter the unlocked home and get a nickel from the mantel. Ray Harding.  

Local Scrip Paid Teachers

Who knew that during the worst of the depression in 1932, the Paris Special School District could not pay salaries due to low tax revenues? Teachers were paid with “salary certificates” (scrip), which many merchants accepted and hoped that they would eventually be paid with actual money. The school system did redeem the certificates after several months. Source – Old PSSD correspondence; submitted by Ray Harding.

California Vacation 1923-style

Pictured here is a car very similar to the one used for the trip, from the New York Public Library's collection.

Who knew that in 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Henry McNeill, with Bob and John B. Arnett took a 2 ½ month trip to California in a Buick with a cloth top and no glass side windows? Roads were mostly gravel and unmarked. A tent would be attached to the car each night and Mrs. McNeill cooked the meals. They said the trip covered 10,000 miles. Source – Ray Harding’s video interview with Mr. Bob Arnett in December, 1987.  

9-1-1

Who knew that a teenage girl saved Lee School from catastrophic damage? In May, 1972, 14 year old Amy Weber spotted smoke coming from the tower. She ran to her nearby home and her mother called the Fire Department. Three trucks confined the damage to the tower and an upper room. Origin of the fire was never determined. Source - PI files; submitted by Ray Harding.

Well Constructed

Who knew that when the McNeill home on the corner of Brewer and Blythe was sold and then bulldozed, "IT ROLLED," it was so well constructed. Submitted by Dana Horvath.   

Grand Ball

Who knew that on Thursday, September 27, 1923, the second and final day of the Paris Centennial celebration ended with a grand ball? Held in a warehouse near the L&N tracks, it was said to be the most beautifully decorated dance ever held here. The Bob Miller Orchestra from Memphis played music for dancing well into Friday morning. Source – Lillian Anderson’s scrapbook; submitted by Ray Harding.   

Paris Centennial Celebration

Who knew that the 1923 Paris Centennial Celebration featured an elaborate night-time pageant depicting Paris history, presented on the North Lawn and steps of the Court House?  It opened with a lone Indian scout riding a pony (Crawford Chambers). The morning parade was repeated. The spectacle, which “closely resembled Mardi Gras,” was illuminated by three railroad engine headlights borrowed from the L&N Shops. Source – scrapbook of Lillian Anderson; submitted by Ray Harding.

1923 Centennial

Who knew that in 1923, downtown Paris was wrapped in ribbons for the Centennial celebration and parade. The photo depicts the east side of square and children marching in the parade. Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Three Theaters in '40s

Who knew that in the 1940's, little ol' Paris, Tennessee, had three walk in movie theaters? We had the Princess, the Capitol, which also featured live entertainment, and the Gem, which showed Paris' first viewing of Gone with the Wind. From Henry County Legacy. Submitted by Rick Owens.

Rhea Public Library Beneficiary Dr. W.G. Rhea

Who knew that, in 1972, Dr. W.G. Rhea donated the corner lot at Washington and Caldwell Streets across from the City Hall for the purpose of building a new library. Source: RheaPublicLibrary.com.

Historic Photos Online

Who knew that the Tennessee State Library and Archives has 36 pages of historic photos online (with some Paris, France photos mixed in), including these photos of Paris Bakery proprietor Benjamin Franklin Hunter and daughter Helen.