Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---October 4-10
This week in the Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County Blog we go to Oxford, Anniston, Fort McClellan, and the Calhoun County Fair. Scroll through the years to read about the colleges and schools welcoming students back to class. Remember to click on the links in the blog to view many of the photos seen in Images of America series books: Anniston Revisited, Anniston, or Calhoun County.
Upcoming Events: We are happy to announce we will have a booth at the Anniston Museum of Natural History’s 2nd Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 14th. For additional event information and pre-order tickets please contact 256-237-6766.
October 4, 1947: Oxford, AL. The “Grand Opening” for the Oxford 5 and 10 was held at 500 Main Street. The store sold cosmetics, candies, household items, and toys. The “5 and 10” operated in this location well into the 1960s.
October 5, 1918: Calhoun County, AL. The local wheat farmers met at the Calhoun County Courthouse to discuss the increase of production in the wheat crop. The meeting drew 200 farmers from around the area to hear County Farm Demonstrator Prentice discuss types of seeds used as well as methods of cultivating and harvesting wheat.
October 6, 1946: Fort McClellan, AL. The Monteith Theatre was the site of the “Melody Hour” for the trainees’ entertainment. The program started at 7:00 PM with five dancers from Zenobia King Hill’s studio. The first dancer to take the stage was Phyllis Zavelo who presented an original novelty composition known as “Lady Be Good”. She was followed by Mildred Dutton, Helen Chastain, Bernice Roberts, and Doris Cline. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Lou “Mike Fight” Hersch. The main feature of the performance was the 268th AGF Band.
October 7, 1925: Anniston, AL. The Calhoun County Fair opened after a short delay. The fair was originally to open the previous day but the equipment could not be transported from Carrollton, Ga in time to open on schedule. The Fair Grounds area was located on West 10th Street beyond the train tracks.
October 8, 1944: Anniston, AL. Jacksonville Teacher’s College President Houston Cole taught the Baraca Sunday School Class at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. The church was originally organized in 1887 and meet in the Opera House on Noble Street. By 1888, the church had purchased a lot on the corner of 12th Street and Quintard Avenue. The church’s named was changed from 12th Street Baptist Church to Parker Memorial in 1889 when Duncan T. Parker financed a large sanctuary construction in honor of his late wife and young son.
October 9, 1929: Anniston, AL. Wiley Johnston announced he was closing his store of the same name due to health reasons. Because of the closure, he had slashed prices at the 1014 Noble Street storefront to move the merchandise.
October 10, 1915: Oxford, AL. The Southern Mills Corporation, just off Highway 21, announced the mill was accepting all grades of cotton. The mill assures customers that no matter how low the grade of cotton was the cotton would be purchased.
