Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---April 26-May 2
This Week in Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County we again go around the county. The week of April 26-May 2 saw several election campaigns throughout the years. We also look at an innovation discovery for fuel among other notable events. Remember to click on the links in the blog to see many of the photos seen in Images of America series books: Anniston Revisited, Anniston, or Calhoun County.
Upcoming Event: We will be participating in the Makers Market in Downtown Anniston on Friday, April 28th. We are pleased to announce that Couch’s Jewelers will be hosting the book signing. Please stop by and meet author Kimberly O’Dell at the Couch’s building at 15 East 10th Street. Ms. O’Dell will be signing books at 11:30 am to 1:00 PM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Books will be available for purchase at the event (cash or check only).
April 26, 1918: Anniston, AL. Kilby Car and Foundry Company took out a full page ad in the Anniston Star in support of Liberty Bonds. Businesses during both world wars encouraged fellow citizens to invest in liberty bonds to support the war effort. Like many business during World War I, Kilby Car and Foundry Company converted their production to produce war materials.
April 27, 1946: Anniston, AL. E. C. Lloyd, a local businessman, was running for City Commissioner Place 2 on the platform of Anniston needed a new junior high School. The Quintard Avenue School was built for 300 students and at the time housed 350 and 475 junior high students were crowded into the high school. Lloyd proposed a complex to house 1,000 junior high school pupils.
April 28, 1957: Calhoun County, AL. The Howard Johnson’s Restaurant held its grand opening on this day. The business was located on Highway 78 next to the Samantha Motel. The restaurant advertised that it would stock favorite candies including salt water taffy, chocolate thin mints, and peanut butter candy. In addition, the restaurant served from regular dinner menus to a la carte menus.
April 29, 1918: Anniston, AL. The Chamber of Commerce announced it was responsible to 199 businesses. The Chamber encouraged patronage to the members who had worked to make Anniston better. To identify chamber members, the stores had the Chamber of Commerce seal on their doors and windows.
April 30, 1930: Anniston, AL. Wofford Oil Company advertised their stations, including the Calhoun County outlets, carried Woco-Pep fuel and Tiolene motor oil. In 1931, the Sloss-Sheffield Company of Birmingham, AL partnered with Wofford Oil to refine the coke by-products from the blast furnace to create fuel. Woco Pep was billed as the “King of Motor Fuel” with “more miles and less carbon”.
May 1, 1950: Calhoun County, AL. Walter H. Wellborn was running for re-election to the country school board. He touted that he was a parent, businessman, and farmer in the community. The community to the west of Anniston was named for him.
May 2, 1948: Calhoun County, AL. Kenneth Roberts was running for the Alabama Fourth District in Congress. Roberts attended Piedmont public schools and graduated from Howard College and University of Alabama Law School. He had served in U.S. Navy during World War II. At the time of the election, he was practicing law in Calhoun County.
