Flashback: Tracking NRV history

The Roanoke Times file - This is a photo of the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College cadet band. It was organized in 1893 as a separate Band Company. Cadet David Wilson was the first commander and James Patton Harvey was the first director.

1987 (25 years ago)
-“Henry Bauer still believes in the Loch Ness monster… Last week, Bauer observed firsthand the extensive sonar sweep of Scotland’s huge Loch Ness.”
-“Even though a ‘Family Life Curriculum’ may be in all Virginia’s public schools by 1989, it is clear that it won’t suit everyone – at least not in the New River Valley.”
-“When it comes to seeing bizarre new football formations, there are few better places to visit than Radford High Stadium on Friday night.”
-“On his first day of practice as Virginia Tech’s head basketball coach, Frankie Allen didn’t leave much question as to who was the boss.”
-“Bowing to intense pressure, Virginia Tech President William E. Lavery announced Friday that he will step down.”
-“By virtue of its sensational 19-17 comeback victory over Radford on Friday, it is safe to say that Marion is getting the hang of being undefeated.”
-“A Virginia Tech scientist has invented a powder that he thinks could lower the price of gasoline at the pumps and authorities in the field hail the discovery as an apparent breakthrough.”

1962 (50 years ago)
-“Virginia Tech used a pair of Richmond mistakes like a hammer Saturday and beat out a 13-7 homecoming victory.”
-“E. T. Nester, owner of Nester’s Tire Service, has patented a new type of curing rim for use in tire recapping or retreading.”
-“Virginia Tech’s young and eager football squad today flew to West Point where it hopes to pull off a major upset tomorrow afternoon against the big and tough Army Cadets.”
-“Christiansburg’s Demons needed a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining to beat Dublin 18-13 and remain in the thick of the Group I-B New River District football race.”
-“The Radford College drama department undertakes one of its most ambitious projects of the new year in the production of ‘The Miracle Worker,’ in two performances Oct. 26 and 27.”

1937 (75 years ago)
-“Advices from London indicate that C. W. Crush, past state commander, was the only Virginian present at a reception to American Legionnaires by King George in London Tuesday… He [Crush] is from Christiansburg.”
-“Christiansburg and Blacksburg will clash Friday afternoon here in the biggest grid contest of the year for each school.”
-“Pulaski high’s football squad is expected to be in the pink of condition tomorrow when it invades Narrows for their annual clash.”
-“The county board of supervisors has purchased from the U. S. forestry department a complete aerial photographic map of Giles county, which shows the exact topography of the area covered.”
-“The [Radford] city council at a recent session began the process of enacting an ordinance regulating and prescribing methods for handling foodstuffs in the city, with view for better sanitation.”

1912 (100 years ago)
-“The board of supervisors of Giles county met Tuesday and passed a resolution permitting turkeys, pheasants and partridges to be hunted during the month of November.”
-“Quite a number of handsome new desks have been received at the Christiansburg High school, and are being rapidly installed.”
-“Among the talented and ambitious young musicians of Southwest Virginia is Miss Hallie Phelps, of Pulaski City, who has just returned from abroad, and is a member of the faculty of Randolph-Macon Academy, Danville, for the coming season.”
-“The chamber of commerce has been organized for Christiansburg and Cambria…”
-“The East End Hotel [in Radford] had its formal opening on Tuesday. This was formerly Lewellyn’s Hotel, but has been remodeled in every way and will insure the greatest comfort to its guests.”

-Compiled by Roanoke Times librarian Belinda Harris

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