Flashback: Tracking NRV history

File 1979 - This concrete coaling tower stands over the Norfolk & Western Railway tracks in Vicker, Montgomery County. The tower was built in 1940 and became obsolete with the death of steam railroads in 1958.

1987 (25 years ago)
-“For the second time in less than two months,the developers of a controversial student apartment complex proposed for Prices Fork Road have withdrawn a request to have the property rezoned.”
-“Civic Beautification Awards were presented Thursday night to the owners and designers of attractive areas of Blacksburg.”
-“Giles found something Friday night that it didn’t have during its first two games – its offense.”
-“Proving it can defend a two-point play better than it executes one, Virginia turned to an unlikely source Saturday for a rare victory over Virginia Tech.”

1962 (50 years ago)
-“Rep. W. Pat Jennings told a Democratic barbecue at Claytor Lake Saturday night the Republican leadership in Washington is resorting to ‘mythology’ in an effort to discredit President Kennedy and win control of the House in November.”
-“Gangling Steve Bishop stepped right out of intramural football, and beat Virginia Tech, 3-0 here [Williamsburg] Saturday.”
-“Virginia Tech, moving sharply on defense and polishing on offense, had a ‘fine practice’ here Tuesday according to Coach Jerry Claiborne.”
-“Two Pulaski town policemen making routine checks here this week located a stolen car – parked with motor running – containing several hundred dollars worth of stolen goods.”
-“Cinderella George Wythe High School found out the glass slipper didn’t quite fit here Friday night. And mighty Narrows was still the king of the land.”

1937 (75 years ago)
-“Cossacks, a male chorus of 36 voices under the conductorship of Serge Jaroff, will appear in Virginia Tech’s auditorium Monday night, November 29, as one of the concerts to be sponsored this year by the Blacksburg National C
oncert association…”
-“The primary room of school opened here Friday [Allisonia] with a large enrollment. The higher grades were delayed as the principal appointed failed to accept the appointment.”
-“Giles county officers today destroyed two stills on the south side of Peters mountain, in the Big Stony Creek area.”
-“V. P. I. kept its 28-game history with Roanoke college spotless yesterday in Blacksburg, using old-fashioned man power and the unquestionable expedient of making good use of every scoring opportunity which presented itself…”
-“The state game department released two truck loads of rainbow trout in [Giles] county streams Thursday and Friday.”

1912 (100 years ago)

-“Public school opened here [Elliston] Monday, Mrs. Best being principal, Miss Wade and Miss Mallory, teachers.”
-“There is little or no news to be gathered in or near Vickers of late, and during the hot days of the past week or two business has been at a stand still.”
-“The grand encampment of the Virginia soldiers of the days of the 60’s with the sponsors, maids and sons, is but one week removed… Pulaski, city and county, should put on her best bib and tucker for the coming encampment.”
-“The weather here [Pembroke] has been very hot and dry for quite a length of time. Everyone, especially the farmers, were becoming very much discouraged until today, when a nice rain came and refreshened things considerably.”
-“The new Star theatre [in Whitethorne] is doing a good business weekly under the efficient management of Mr. S. T. Harless.”
-“Blacksburg’s new railway station is now fast nearing completion and will be ready for use about the middle of October, if not sooner.”

-Compiled by Roanoke Times librarian Belinda Harris

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