Published: November 20, 2008 04:39 pm         

LOOKING BACK: A weekly historical news feature

November 1887

Mr. W.D. Welchance, the well known builder and constructor of Sparta who also owned the resort at Bon Air, has come to settle among us with his wife and children and his household goods. For the present he has repaired an old “schack” on the Hamby place and will locate there until suitable quarters can be built. Mr. Welchance is a fine mechanic and no doubt will help build our fast growing town.

"An act of the last Legislature makes it my duty as county superintendent to set apart some day in November as Arbor Day in all the public schools of the county for the purpose of planting trees that the grounds may be improved and beautified. Therefore, I shall designate November 25 as Arbor Day for Cumberland County." Signed, Sam Brown, County Supt.

12th District – "Our Sabbath School is still progressing but our prayer meeting has been a little dull for three or four weeks. We hope it will revive soon."

November 1945

More than a million dollars was spent in preparing the POW camp with stockade and necessary buildings including the water plant. There was housing for 2,027 men. It has just been declared “surplus” and likely will be offered for sale at no distant date.

Ozone – A pie supper sponsored by the PTA was held at the school house. $191.27 was raised. The money will be used to wire the school for electric lights and to build a stage.

November 1987

A new Hardee’s opened here Nov. 18. It is located on West Avenue North. It is the company’s 60th Hardee’s in Tennessee and the 396th in the south.

Over the past year a group of approximately 35 volunteers have been sharing their time and love with Cumberland County residents who are sick with life-threatening illness. All residents are invited to a meeting which will explain the hospice program.