Today in Johnson City History, Thursday, November 21, 2024
Railroads, traffic signals and more
Tuesday, November 21, 1899: One hundred and twenty-five years ago today, The Knoxville Sentinel reported news with a dateline from Johnson City. Readers learned that “The extension of the new railroads, south and east of this town, is progressing during this fine weather.”
“The lumber and mining camps are alive with busy men and boys.”
“It is almost impossible to rent a house in Johnson City at this time. There is a great demand for small cottages of three to five rooms. A fine opening for some one (sic) to erect a few such homes to rent.”
“A. B. Bowman, Esp., is moving from his old farm home, just east of the town, to the Evans house, next to ex-Governor Taylor’s place, on Roan street (sic).”
Former Governor Taylor’s house is now known as Robin’s Roost. It is located in Johnson City and has an historical marker. The marker says, “William T. Graham built this house in 1890. Robert Love Taylor bought it in 1892 and named it. He went from here to his third term as Governor. His brother, Alfred Alexander Taylor, bought it in 1900, living here until 1903. The latter was Governor from 1921 to 1923.
The Knoxville Sentinel is now published as the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Friday, November 21, 1924: A century ago today, the Johnson City Chronicle reported that “An automatic traffic directing signal box is being placed at the corner of Roan and East Main streets (sic), one of the busiest and most dangerous intersections in the city. The signals will serve to direct vehicle traffic with safety, even in the absence of a traffic officer.
“The box is about five feet high, and surmounted by a ‘blinking’ light, attracting the attention of drivers. On the sides are directing signs, warning of the dangerous intersection, and preventing left turns at that corner. The signal is being set in concrete and made permanent.
“In the approaches to the intersection from the four directions two white metal plates are imbedded in the center of each street, forcing traffic to ‘keep to the right.’
“In has been found here as well as elsewhere, that permanent markings and lights placed in street centers and at intersections have been most effective in the direction of traffic and the minimizing of accidents, and it is contemplated that their use in the business center is to be extended.
“Another safety zone has been created in the center of the block on Main street (sic) between Roan and Spring, where street cars stop, and at the terminal of the State Normal (indecipherable). With parking prohibited adjacent to this zone, motor traffic may continue without interruption, in either direction, even when street cars are stopped for taking on or discharging passengers; since the passengers will occupy the zone near the car through which traffic cannot pass.”
The State Normal eventually became known by the name East Tennessee State University.
Wednesday, November 21, 1934: Ninety years ago today, the Johnson City Press reported news from the Associated Press; the dateline was Knoxville. “The Tennessee Valley Authority today authorized the construction of a $22,000,000 navigation and flood control dam on the Tennessee river (sic) near Pickwick Landing in Southwestern Tennessee.
“Provision will be made for later power installation which will consist of six units of 34,000-kilowatt capacity or a total of 204,000 kilowatts.
“The Pickwick dam site is located about eight miles upstream from Shiloh battlefield and about ten miles north of the state line juncture of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.”
Twenty-two million dollars in 1934 now has the approximate purchasing power of $518,254,000, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
Tuesday, November 21, 1939: Eighty-five years ago today, the Johnson City Press and Staff-News reported that “Inclement weather and the press of farm work held down voting in East Tennessee counties today on a federal plan for a system of tobacco production control in 1940.
“Many of the approximately 5,000 Washington county (sic) farmers eligible to vote stayed at home rather than brave a steady rain to go to polling places, County Agent Raymond Rosson said.
“An even greater number, he added, chose to devote the day to stripping tobacco, feeling they could ill afford to take time off to vote. Showers Sunday, Monday and today, besides breaking an extended drought, put tobacco ‘in case’, giving growers a belated opportunity to prepare it for the market.
“Farm agents in Unicoi, Greene, Sullivan, Carter and Johnson counties (sic) indicated voting also was light in their sections.
“Polls opened at 9 a. m. and were to close at 5 p. m. (Eastern Standard time) in all counties. Balloting was in progress in each civil district of the counties.
“The control plan would result in farmers being assigned acreage, from which they might market, without penalty, all tobacco they produced. However, the limit in acreage would have the effect, Agricultural Adjustment Administration experts believe, of (several indecipherable lines) volume for the nation’s burley-producing sections.
“Many tobacco men, citing overproduction, have forecast disappointing prices for burley this year. They argue a control system, by holding production within bounds, would boost price averages.
“The referendum is being held in 16 tobacco-growing states. A two-thirds vote is necessary to put the control plan into effect.”
Tuesday, November 21, 1944: Eighty years ago today, the Johnson City Press-Chronicle carried news with a dateline from Nashville and a date of November 20. The news article was provided by the Associated Press. Readers learned that “Betty Gay of Kingsport, Inc., a clothing firm, with its main office at (1412 Hamilton National Bank), Knoxville, today was issued a charter of incorporation by the secretary of state.
“The corporation was authorized to issue 625 shares of stock with (indecipherable) shares preferred at $100 each and 125 common without par value. Initial capitalization was $1,000.
“Incorporators were Wilbur W. Piper, Annie S. Macdonald and Mitchell S. Long.”
For many years, there was a Betty Gay location in downtown Johnson City; it was located on East Main Street.
One hundred dollars in 1944 now has the equivalent purchasing power of about $1793, according to www.in2013dollars.com.
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