Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County--February 22 to 28
Agriculture, industry, and the military have been three strong pillars of the Calhoun County economy since the earliest days. In this week’s Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County Blog for February 22 to 28, we are going to revisit some of the agriculture milestones, military contracts, and early industries that have provided employment for the county.
February 22, 1900: Anniston, AL. The children of Anniston celebrated Washington’s Birthday at the Anniston College for Young Women, previously known as the Anniston Inn. This was the first time Arbor Day was also celebrated. Arbor Day was a holiday established in 1872 and was celebrated by individual states and communities on a day of their choosing. This was a day for the community to plant a tree to celebrate.
February 23, 1901: Calhoun County, AL. The death of J. D. Probst was announced. Mr. Probst was one of the original officers of the Woodstock Iron Works. The iron company was located at the end of Gurnee Avenue and Ninth Street. The first furnace was blown in April 1873. By the 1880s the company was in financial trouble and had to be reorganized. The financial panic of 1893 caused the ultimate failure of the company. The company property was sold to Adelaide Mills around 1900.
February 24, 1955: Bynum, AL. The Commanding Officer of Anniston Army Depot, Col. C. J. Williams, announced a $288,703 contract to rebuild 649 engines from the Ordnance Tank Automotive Center. The completion of the contract, according to Williams, would have a great deal of influence on the future work requirements at the depot. Each depot operated as a competitive business during the postwar years.
February 25, 1932: Anniston, AL. It was announced that the Unemployment Relief Headquarters would be established in the former Gem Barber Shop on the 1000 block of Noble Street. The local chairman of the unemployment relief drive in Anniston was J. J. Willett Jr., the son of Judge J.J. Willett. The Willett family moved to Anniston in 1883 and resided in “Broadview” a two-story Greek revival mansion built on Christine Avenue, now the site of Anniston High School.
February 26, 1958: Calhoun Co, AL. The extension agent stated the poultry industry in Calhoun County had grown significantly in part due to mechanization of the farms during World War II. Chicken farming had been part of the life of Calhoun County since the earliest days. One of the early farms located on the property that became Fort McClellan was populated by chickens. Locals even kept chicken hatcheries in the basement of homes on Quintard Avenue.
February 27, 1969: Anniston, AL. Sunny King Ford advertised a 1969 Mustang 2-Door Hardtop for just $2,397. King Motor Company is the oldest continually operating car dealership in Anniston. Organized in 1922 by Gerald and E.D. King, the King family has maintained the control of the company through the descendants of E.D.’s son, “Sunny”. The showroom was located on the corner of Eleventh Street and Wilmer Avenue but was moved in 1971 to South Quintard where it operates today.
February 28, 1943: Anniston, AL. The wartime morale-boosting film “Star Spangled Rhythm” opened at the Calhoun Theater. The film boasted 40 Paramount stars including Bob Hope serving as master of ceremonies and Bing Crosby closing the film with a patriotic dance number. The Calhoun Theater, located at 1220 Noble Street, had opened the previous year. The theater closed in 1983 and has remained vacant since that time.
