October 17,1958: Groundbreaking for Whitaker Park
John C. Whitaker was chairman of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Board of Directors from 1952 to 1959. On this day in 1958, he broke ground for the new cigarette plant that would...
Category: On This Date
October 16: Happy Birthday! Jesse Gray Bowen Jr.
Jesse Gray Bowen Jr. was born on this day in 1913, in Forsyth County, to Jesse G. and Mabel Douglas Bowen. His father owned Jesse G. Bowen and Company, which he founded in 1918....
October 16,1927: New Sunday School Building at Reynolda
A new building was dedicated on this day in 1927 at Reynolda. A Sunday School building was built, named the Katherine Johnston Memorial Building, at Reynolda Presbyterian Church. The new building was occupied the...
October 15: Happy Birthday! Charles M. Jones
Charles M. Jones was born on this day in 1870, in Orange County, to Manly and Mary Jones. In his younger days, he played baseball and was the pitcher for a local team. In...
October 15,2012: Salem Lake Dam Dedicated
The new Salem Lake dam was dedicated on this day in 2012. The lake was not filled at the time of the dedication, but was expected to be filled by the end of October....
October 14: Happy Birthday! Kate Bitting Reynolds
Kate Bitting Reynolds was born on this day in 1867, in Yadkin County, to Joseph and Louisa Wilson Bitting. She came to Winston as a child with her family. She was married to William...
October 14,1954: Penney’s New Building
This was a red-letter day for J. C. Penney Company in 1954. Penney’s opened their new department store on the corner of West Fourth and Marshall Streets. The $1-million building was built on the...
October 13: Happy Birthday! Jane Smith Hill
Jane Smith Hill was born on this day in 1931, in Rockingham County, to Albert Bynum and Fleta Field Smith. She grew up in Guilford County and married Robert Belton Hill Sr. Jane worked...
October 13,1964: Thalhimers Opens at Thruway Shopping Center
On this day in 1964, Thalhimers Department Store opened at Thruway Shopping Center. The 20,000-square foot store was the 15th unit in the Thalhimers chain and the largest of the branches. One feature of...
October 12: Happy Birthday! John Milton Gold
John Milton Gold was born on this day in 1908, in Cleveland County, to John M. and Mary Putnam Gold. He attended Shelby High School, where he was a star football player. He also...