Clark Delegate of 1956 National Democratic convention

Who knew that Baxter Clark, one of Henry County’s more colorful politicians, was one of Tennessee’s delegates to the 1956 National Democratic convention.
Source: Henry County Legacy. Submitted by Rick Owens.

High Flying Incentives

Who knew that around 1954, members of the Paris School Band were given airplane rides for performing at a ceremony at the Henry County Airport. Each member was given a voucher for a flight to be redeemed later. The spectacular flights in a Piper Cub, circling downtown and above our homes, were the first flights for most of us. Ray Harding

Unsolved History?

Who Knew that Miss Mary Sue Dunn, history teacher at Grove High School, was convinced that Patrick Henry’s sister was buried in Henry County? Miss Dunn promised any student who could locate the grave an “A” in history. This offer was never redeemed, but the challenge intrigued some students decades after graduation (including the late Dr. Larry McGehee.) Ray Harding

Owens-made "Decorative" Concrete Blocks

Who knew that in the 1940s and '50s "decorative" concrete blocks were handmade, one at a time, by Raymond Owens and his sons. Many, many homes and businesses are still standing today, using these blocks! Submitted by Rick Owens.

Robert E. Lee School

Who could have imagined, when the first discussion took place in December 2000, that Lee School could be saved not only from the wrecking ball, but that it could become the viable, vibrant center of artistic expression that it has become? Submitted by Rick Owens.

Miss Charlie McGehee's Long Career

Who knew that Miss Charlie McGehee’s teaching career spanned 53 years! She began teaching in Henry County in 1907, at Lee School in 1909, and became principal there in 1922. Said to be a firm but fair administrator, she ran a “tight ship”. She retired from the PSSD in 1955, then taught in Florida for five more years. Source – The PI - March 25, 1995.

Student Power

Who knew that the cornerstone of the newly renovated lunch room at Lee School bears the enigmatic statement, “Erected by Pupils -1909”? The meaning recently became clearer when Jimmy Williams found an article describing a 1909 performance at the Opera House by Lee School students to help fund the new gym (which later became the lunchroom). - Ray Harding

First Henry County Little League

Who knew that in the late fifties, Robert Owens had a regulation Little League baseball field in his backyard, complete with limed batter's boxes, baselines, and a welded wire backstop. His team, India -- along with Puryear, Cottage Grove, and Buchanan -- formed the first Henry County Little League. Submitted by Rick Owens

Timex Slogan Proven

Who knew that in the mid-fifties, the Timex slogan “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking” was put to the test when, as a stunt, a Timex watch was dropped from an airplane onto Barton Field at half-time during a Grove High football game. Yes, the watch was still ticking! Source– Ray Harding

City Cemetery Beneficiary of County Fence

Who knew that 100 years ago, in May, it was suggested that the wrought iron fence that surrounded the courthouse be removed and put back up around the City Cemetery? Source: 100 years ago, today in the Paris Post Intelligencer. Submitted by Rick Owens

Sulphur Well Sacrificed for Kentucky Lake

Henry County's first tourist attraction, Sulphur Well, was created by accident in 1821 when an artesian well of sulphur water was struck in an attempt to locate a large salt bed on a Chickasaw reservation. Eventually a summer resort was erected at the site to accommodate the large numbers of people who came to drink the water which was thought to have health benefits. Many sought refuge at Sulphur Well during the 1837 yellow fever epidemic. In 1944, Sulphur Well was covered by TVA's Kentucky Lake, the largest man-made lake in the United States and the second largest in the world.

McFarlin to Write Book

Who knew? Shannon McFarlin has been contracted by the Tennessee River Resort Act (TRRA) board to write the first comprehensive history of Camp Tyson. Interested individuals may contact Shannon at 731-642-3372 or send her an e-mail at mcfarlin0@gmail.com.

Duck River Temple Mounds

Who knew? "In Tennessee there are four large and several smaller (Indian) mounds surrounding a large plaza called Duck River Temple Mounds near Hurricane Mills. A central mound flanked by 13 smaller mounds is called Mound Bottom near Kingston Springs. The earliest site in the state is called Obion Mounds near Parios and is also situated around a central plaza." Source – Sacred Places in North America by Brad Olsen, page 355.

White Christmas

Who knew that shortly after WTPR-AM went on the air in 1947, the annual White Christmas program at Lee School began to be broadcast “live”? The entire student body would gather in the cavernous hall and sing into a large microphone. Excitement and temperature was high and some student usually fainted. Source – Ray Harding

Helicopter Political Stunt

Who knew that in on August 2, 1954, an aircraft landed on the Court Square? Pat Sutton, a candidate for the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, landed a helicopter on Washington Street in front of The Toggery. A big crowd gathered; most came to see the helicopter. He lost to Estes Kefauver. Source PI archives and Ray Harding (I was there)

Gene Richardson Linked to Beethoven

Who knew that when Gene Richardson’s piano students perform in their May 19 recital, their technique can be attributed in part to Beethoven? The unbroken line of teachers goes from Richardson to May Corum, to George Proctor of Boston, to Leschetizky of Austria, and to Czerny, who was a student of Ludwig van Beethoven in Austria. Source - Gene Richardson. Submitted by Ray Harding

Pre-microwave Wonder

Who knew that in the early 1950s an Electrical Exposition was held under a tent just west of the A.C. Jackson home on Highway 54? Billed as a “wonder of tomorrow”, a hand-held device was aimed at an egg in a skillet. As the crowd watched, the egg was cooked in the open with little heating of the skillet. It would be 20 years before microwave ovens became practical. Source - recollections of Ray Harding

Dr. Robert Adams in a Vanderbilt Commercial

Who Knew? Dr. Robert Adams of Paris is in a Vanderbilt heart commercial currently running on Nashville television stations. Who knew? (Source - Rick Conger)

Fitting Shoes with X-rays?

Who knew that in the early 1950’s, at least two shoe stores in downtown Paris featured X-ray equipment to assist in fitting shoes? These machines were so powerful that the bones in the feet were clearly visible. Source - Ray Harding's recollections.

Fishing and Full Moons on Kentucky Lake

Who Knew? A full moon is coming up this weekend and all fishermen know that a full moon in May on Kentucky Lake means the Shellcrackers and the Bluegill will be spawning. - Richard Williams, The Crappie Wizard

UT Martin "A Best Southeastern College"

Who knew that the PrincetonReview.com lists UT Martin as “A Best Southeastern College" for 2009? Who knew? (source - UTM.edu)

Jerry Lee Lewis Played/Damaged Paris Piano

Who knew? Jerry Lee Lewis performed at the Paris City Auditorium around 50 years ago. During his grand finale, Lewis smashed the bench on the Chickering Grand piano, destroying the bench and damaging the piano. Today, that piano is being treated more gently in the sanctuary of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. Source - Lucian Smith and Ray Harding (I was there).

Jack's Poolroom

Who knew that Jack's Poolroom, located since 1946 at 108 N Brewer Street in Paris, was founded by Jack Brockwell at its original Market Street location in 1929. Jack became partners with Steve Cannon in 1973. Cannon became sole owner five years later and ran the business for the next 25 years. In 2003, Steve handed the business over to his son, current owner Chris Cannon. - Gaines Hedges

Barrons Dance and Show Band Played with Leach’s Orchestra

Jimmy Tubbs, Sam Knott and the late Larry Pierce of the Barrons Dance and Show Band played with Paris’ own Charles “Sellers” Leach’s orchestra as teenagers, recording several records at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. From the Paris PI story on the Bucket Bash coming up May 8 at the Paris Winery.

Krider Center’s Children’s Theater

Who knew that the Krider Center’s Children’s Theater offers a theater camp, Camp Krider, for students 9-17, from May 31 to June 5? - Travis McLeese