This feature mines the McDowell News archives for what was going on this week in local history.
During the week of Oct. 21, 1984, volunteers were busy working to create “A Halloween Experience” in the old Etta Packaging building on Logan Street. Created and directed by McDowell High student Oliver Holler, it was described as a “different kind of haunted house” where visitors would be transported back to the time of ancient Egypt. In this photo, volunteers and fellow McDowell High students Todd Johnson, Mike Conley, Ricky Sparks and Darryl Ghent are painting the walls inside the old building a dull grey.
Forty-one years ago this week, Old Fort Mayor Robert Wilson (left) received the Community of Excellence Award from Gov. Jim Hunt (right) as an unidentified N.C. Economic Development Department official looks on. Marion and Old Fort officials received the awards in a Raleigh ceremony. The designation meant that the two towns would receive a special promotion when industries expressed an interest in locating in North Carolina.
The annual homecoming parade brought crowds of people to Main Street in Marion. The McDowell High School marching band made their procession up the street to the delight of the crowd.
The new Capitol Hill Apartments complex on State Street was almost ready to open. This apartment complex had 48 units, 20 of which were designated as rent-subsidy apartments. The opening date was set for Nov. 1.
Kathy Morgan of McDowell County claimed first place in the Trail Blazer Racking division of the Grand National Horse Show in Decatur, Ala. Morgan is shown riding her 13-year-old racking mare Racking Babe. Morgan was 24 years old and was employed by Drexel Heritage Furnishings of Marion. She had been involved in horse show competitions since 1975 but had never won first place in the racking category until the fall of 1984. Others in the photo were (from left) two judges in the show, her mother Ruby Morgan, Renee Downs and her father J.C. Morgan.
Arvis Swepson (left), wife of the late Cecil Swepson, listened as McDowell County Board of Education Chair Kristi Neal read a resolution regarding Cecil Swepson’s years on the board. In honor of Swepson (who died on Oct. 4, 1984), the board gave his widow a copy of the resolution and her husband’s nameplate, which sat before his board seat.
Titan back Billy Joe Chambers (21) rambled through a gaping hole for an electrifying 89-yard kickoff return in McDowell’s 20-10 setback against the Hickory High School Red Tornadoes. Chambers’ run set up McDowell’s only touchdown of the night in the first quarter. It was the third straight loss for the Titans that season.
Jim Martin, Republican candidate for governor, met with a crowd of supporters and a brass band as his campaign train rolled into Marion. It was the first stop of a two-day whistlestop tour through North Carolina. Martin, who was a six-term member of the U.S. Congress, compared his campaign to the railroads, saying he hoped to unite the state.
These were the members of the 1984 McDowell High School girls’ varsity tennis squad. They were (from left) Beth Gardner, Lisa Mace, Tracey Slagle, Lynn Cross, Beth Young and Cindy Morris.
The Big Zucchini Washboard Bandits were a hit at the second Mountain Glory festival in downtown Marion. Sponsored by the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, as many as 7,000 people crowded into South Logan Street during the daylong arts, crafts, food and music festival.
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This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
