Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, July 2, 2026
Johnson City's financial condition in 1941 and more
Tuesday, July 2, 1776: Two hundred and fifty years ago today, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “In a resolution introduced June 7, 1776 by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, ‘Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.’ This resolution prepared the way for adoption, July 4, 1776, of the Declaration of Independence.”
Note: The original capitalizations have been reproduced.
(Source: Chase’s 2026 Calendar of Events.)
Thursday, July 2, 1788: Two hundred and thirty-eight years ago today, the Constitution of the United States went into effect. “Cyrus Griffin of Virginia, the president of the Congress, announced that the Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states (the ninth being New Hampshire on June 21, 1788), and a committee was appointed to make preparations for the change of government.”
(Source: Chase’s 2026 Calendar of Events.)
Friday, July 2, 1926: A century ago today, the Johnson City Staff-News reported that “J. C. McNair, of Chicago, Ill., prominent official of the Illinois Central Railway, is expected to be in Johnson City to day (sic for today), enroute to Blowing Rock, N. C., where he will spend a summer vacation. In a communication to the Chamber of Commerce here, Mr. McNair asked for a quantity of melons, fruits and early vegetables of this section to be taken with him to the mountains. He mentioned that this courtesy was extended to him last year, and was so highly appreciated and valuable that he asks a repetition. The order will be filled by local jobbing houses.”
Blowing Rock, North Carolina is about 57 miles from Johnson City. It is located southeast of Johnson City.
Thursday, July 2, 1931: Ninety-five years ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “Elmer Tallent and Orvil Gilbert are in jail, charged with breaking into the apartment of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Cheek at 604 Lamont street (sic for Street) and stealing wearing apparel and other articles. They were arrested Tuesday night by Asst. Chief Davis and officers Russell, Shoun and Howell. The arrests were made at 500 Hamilton street (sic) where they were found in company with Mink Perkins and Lula Keys, both of whom were also arrested on disorderly house charges.
“Cheek says he and his wife were visiting in Norton, Virginia until Tuesday when they received telephone messages from neighbors telling them that their apartment had been robbed. They returned to Johnson City immediately.
“Other items on the police docket included a half dozen drunks and a sextette of hoboes who were removed from a freight train at the request of Bristol police who were looking for some suspects.”
Norton, Virginia, is about 69 miles from Johnson City. It is almost directly north of Johnson City.
Thursday, July 2, 1936: Ninety years ago today, The Elizabethton Star reported that “Miss Pearl Long was the hostess at a weiner (sic for wiener) roast and swimming party, given Tuesday night at the pool near Erwin. The guests enjoyed dancing and swimming.
“Among those present were the Misses Margaret Marsh, Marie Webste, Louise Kinch, Edith Robinson, Mary Rather Lewis, Retha Neal, Margaret Bowers, Virginia Hardin, Elizabeth Ryan, Mary Lynn Bradshaw, Roby Yates, Dorothy Edwards, Margaret J. Wilcox, Mary Helen Colvin, Elizabeth Keys, Hattie Bell Guinn, and Pearl Long.
“P. D. Bradshaw, Joe and Bob Givens, Bailey Williams, George Linebaugh, Bill Pike, Earl Ritchie, Bob Shell, Ed Wetzel, Benton Edens, John Smith, Charlie Erwin and Chester Walker, of Johnson City, Bob Roland, Dwight Gwinn, J. H. Crow and Brown Palmer, of Erwin.”
Erwin is in Unicoi County and is located about 18 miles from Johnson City. It is the county seat of Unicoi County.
Elizabethton is about 8 miles from Johnson City and is east and slightly north of Johnson City. Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County.
The Elizabethton Star is still in publication status.
Wednesday, July 2, 1941: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported that “Efficient and economical administration of Johnson City’s financial affairs during the fiscal year which ended Monday, June 30, have made it possible to reduce the municipal tax rate from $3 to $2.90 for the present year, it was disclosed today.
“The lowered rate, which comes in the nature of a ‘good government dividend’ to local taxpayers, is believed by city officials to be the more noteworthy in that Washington county (sic for County) court found it necessary at the April court term to increase the county tax rate from $2.08 to $2.20.
“Ability of the city government to give a lowered rate, while concurrently refunding the city’s bonded indebtedness at more advantageous interest rates and making several community improvements out of current capital outlay, has been particularly pleasing to Mayor Sam H. Sells, and other members of the city board of commissioners.
“Another point of interest about the city’s tentative new budget, made public today, is the fact that total appropriations for the coming year, although listed as $701,600 – an apparent increase of slightly less than $4000 over last year’s total of $697,052 – actually constitute a smaller budget than that for the 1940 fiscal year.”
Three dollars in 1941 is now worth approximately $67.98, according to www.in2013 dollars.com.
Seven hundred and one thousand, six hundred dollars in 1941 now has the purchasing power of nearly $15.6 million, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
To subscribe, click on this link:
https://www.todayinjohnsoncityhistory.com/subscribe
Truly, it takes several people to put together something like you’ve just read. I express profound appreciation to Heidi Dulebohn and Stephanie McClellan Houk for their thoughts and encouragement.
Grateful appreciation is expressed to Collin Brooks for his social media expertise. If you
need assistance with your social medial needs, call him at 423-735-8755.
Will Riddle, owner of Riddle Technology Services, can help you with all your computer and computer-related needs. He’s the best! Call him at 423-480-4024.