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The "Lady of the Fountain" was moved in 1937 from its original Fountain Square location to what nearby site?

A 1939 SHHS "Commercial News" student publication mentioned that a student brought an antique typewritter to typing class. What was unusual about it?

George and Mary Parker introduced what novel concept to their original restaurant that they learned in Washington DC?

Science Hill's new gym was officially dedicated on Nov. 21, 1961 with a basketball game with what visiting team?

What ingredient was in Jamaca Ginger that caused partial paralysis, a malady known as "Jake Leg," when ingested?

What grammar school once stood on a hill at the intersection of West Main and Watauga?

Why was the "Lady of the Fountain" named after Walter P. Brownlow?

Howdy Doody, a popular kid's show in the 1950s, featured a puppet with 48 freckles on his face. What did they represent?

Johnson City's trolley system operated from 1892 until 1931, traveling to four destinations several times a day. Where was the trolley barn?

What three reasons likely caused Beckner's Jewelers to close in late 1985, just months shy of its 100th birthday?

In 1910, a successful local resident, Sam Guinn, patented and began manufacturing what innovation?

What city school was purported held together by chewing gum put there by ages of students?

The Unaka and City National Bank was taken over by what bank on Sept. 30, 1932?

What was the name of the 25-acre “lovers’ lane” hideout that was once situated along the Holston River just below what is now Boone Dam?

What unique fire safety device did Martha Wilder School have that was the envy of other schools?

Bob and Alf Taylor used to go to a popular site on Buffalo Mountain known as Waterspout for what purpose?

What three containers did rural mail carriers routinely encounter when delivering mail along country roads?

If we could travel back to downtown Johnson City on Jan. 9, 1908, we would find no model T cars anywhere. Why?

About 1950, Some of the guys at the Boys' Club spent their free time at the shop of “Brownlow, the Radio Man” on Walnut Street. Why?

What lesser-known cowboy actor and western songster made 28 movies, most showing at the Liberty Theatre.

What was the stated reason for the demolition of the Main Street side of Gumps and Jobe's Opera House upstairs in 1909?

The Dutch Maid Drive-In came about after the owners purchased the Dixie Maid and changed its name. Was this in Elizabethton or Johnson City?

City resident remembers her father's revelation about his playing poker with Al Capone in what downtown hotel in the 1920s?

What well-known business was located adjacent to the Carnegie Hotel in the early 1900s?

What unusual discipline did West Side School first grad teacher, Mildred Taylor, inflict on unruly students?

Why did mountaineer potters in the Unaka Mountains prefer the kick-wheel over a power-wheel?

During Christmas 1909, one youngster asked Santa for a Morrow Coast Brake bicycle. What is the unique feature of this bike that made it so popular?

What cultural event with a name meaning, “two moccasins tied together,” became an annual recreational and learning university?

"Sleep," "Walking the Dog," Cat's Cradle," and "Shoot the Moon," were terms associated with what favorite activity at the Red Shield Boys' Club

Bob Taylor's book titled "Gov. Taylor's Love Letter to the Public" contains a chapter on drummers. What are drummers?

A 1918 hand-drawn invitation was sent to a select group of guests for a fox hunt honoring Alf Taylor. Where was it held?

True or False. Dinty Moore's eatery underwent four locations in Johnson City with two on E. Main Street and two on E. Market?

Years ago, youngsters frequently enjoyed the game of marbles, usually at recess. There were two versions: "funsies" and "keepsies." What was the difference?

During the city's 1897 July 4th celebration, the festivities moved from downtown to where to engage in water activities?

When early Rescue Squad members responded to emergencies, did their respective employers pay them for time not worked?

The Comet newspaper noted improvements made to the city in 1904. What were they?

Johnson City's annual Preaching Mission became a reality during lunch at what popular downtown eatery in 1955.

What did the city do to help passengers transition from riding electric trolleys to boarding gas engine buses?

What humorous prank did WBEJ radio disc jockey Hap Henley pull to determine if people were listening to him on the radio?

What unusual event took place in Johnson City in 1910 that dealt with the city’s founder, Henry Johnson?

What East Market Street downtown hotels shared the same location over the years?

What two grammar schools in Johnson City located less than a mile apart once shared the same name?

What fountain in downtown Johnson City began bubbling on July 7, 1922?

During December 1906, Gov. Bob Taylor submitted a depiction to The Comet newspaper, offering his views on what timely subject?

In 1901, Bristol, Tennessee was Overrun by hobos during the visit of what famous lawyer?

Name the short dedicated Tennessee History teacher at Junior High School who had a strained voice and somewhat cranky disposition?

What food delicacies did owner Otto Burgner introduce to patrons of the Dutch Maid Drive-In, including one that he pioneered?

Earl Hicks Produce was located for years on W. Market at Commerce. Where was the storage facilty that he rented located?

Performances at Soldiers' Home's Memorial Hall had to conclude by 9:30 p.m. each day for what two reasons?

What name was given to individuals in 1910 whose job was to detect contageous diseases and isolate them from the public?

Tweetsie, the narrow gauge railroad, had a whistle that was more of a greeting than a warning with what exception?

One of the most significant events in history occurred at the Majestic Threatre on Monday, Sept. 17, 1928. What was it?

What W. Market jewelry store also contain a barbershop with a carnival horse where youngsters could sit while getting trimmed?

Johnson City was once called Johnson's Tank for a water tank that stood on property that later became the site of what?

What favorite downtown eatery on E. Main Street in the 1940s was known as “Uncle Arthur’s Place?

Researching two old tin signs, Pedigo Co. and Pierces Quality Shop, reveal something unusual about business addresses along E. Main. What?

Who two hospitals over time occupied 109 W. Market Street across the street from the Southern Depot?

What brand of automobiles did H.R. Parrott Motor Co. in Johnson City sell?

What automobile dealership was located between the Silk Mill and Fire Hall at 401 W. Market in 1939?

What remedy did Artie Isenberg, an early horse-riding physician, prescribe to two youngsters who had eaten too many mulberries?

While steam radiators were once very popular in homes, they exhibited on annoying trait. What was it?

What mountainous barrier impeded the progress of early pioneers as they made their way through the Wilderness Trail?

Five overseas East Tennessee Seabees sent V-Mail letters during Christmas to the Press-Chronicle for what purpose?

Gwen Terasaki's book and motion picture dealt with her relocating to what country? What famous actress played her part?

What four turntable speeds were standard on record players in the 1940s and 1950s?

A reader submitted 30 valentines from 1952 that came from what downtown elementary school?

What movie theatre in downtown Johnson City featured the first 3D movie to be shown?

What is the very impressive moniker that the Chamber of Commerce gave Johnson City in its 1921 annual booklet?

The Hart and Houston Store that once occupied 315-317 E. Main moved in 1928 to 300 E. Main and acquired what new name?

What popular downtown drugstore was located on the first floor of a two-story building with "King" and "1907" engraved across the top of it?

What radio show sponsored by Pet Dairy Company aired each Saturday morning over WJHL-AM for area youngsters?

A July 11, 1884 obituary noted that a local 27-year-old resident died from flux. What is another name for flux?

What was the lowest temperature that Ray A. Mettetal, an RFD mail carrier, ever experience on his route?

When Franklin D. Roosevelt closed all banks in early 1933, what bank had scrip printed that could be used while currency was frozen.

In August 1937, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus appeared on the E. Main Street circus grounds. Who was the major live attraction?

Travelling to Johnson City in 1912 was done two ways, by farm wagon and by ferry. Where was the ferry located?

On March 30, 1976, McElyea Shoe Repair and Harness Shop went out of business. The yellow building built in 1907 was located where?

There were 16 clubs at Junior High School in 1940. All but one had a sponsor and three student officers. Which one amusingly had no student officers?

Tweetsie made its final roundtrip run on Oct. 16, 1950, traveling from Johnson City to what North Carolina city?

What four distingished guests visited Johnson City in 1918 while on an outdoor camping expedition?

Pat Watson’s Trading Post on Spring Street in the 1950s was focused on exchanging and selling what kinds of products?

What treasure trove of information was contained in the 1921 edition of Science Hill's "The Wataugan?"

What product was associated with five red and white signs that once populated major highways?

In 1956, what radio station broadcast a remote "Musical Penthouse" atop the Dutch Maid Restaurant in Elizabethton from Monday through Saturday?

What business was located directly under Jobe’s Opera House at the corner of E. Main and Spring streets?

In 1890, Science Hill Male and Female Institute became three schools: Science Hill, Langston and a grammar school named what?

View Masters cards had v-notches on them for what purpose? How many stereo views were on a card?

What was a handwritten poem composed during World War later typed on that was about the only thing available?

How did the Princeton Arts Center get its name and what was the original use of the building?

What did the "f" and "t" symbols pn the South and Western Railroad Co. Train Schedule Mean

What famous hero of the Battle of King's Mountain, SC became the governor of the short-lived State of Franklin?

What was there in Ointments for Catarrh, a leading medicine of 1892, that caused a serious health concern?

What did the Darling Shop and the London Kirkpatrick Hardware have in common?

Bob Williams opened Williams Grocery in 1938. Later, his son, Lee, assumed ownershop. Where was it located?

Where does Hacker Martin Mill that once stood along Cedar Creek in Gray, TN now reside?

What company used a blue horse head to advertise “50,000 Prizes For All You Lucky Boys And Girls?”

What occurred at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 15, 1949 from 200 miles away that had a big impact on Johnson Citians?

John Buda, owner of John’s Sandwich Shop, was famous for what yummy fast food product?

My new book is available!

Click here to view on Amazon.com

Journey back to the time of the vaudeville era, radio jamboree, and old-time hillbilly music. This trip comes courtesy of a suitcase lost for 50 years documenting the career of Fiddlin’ Charlie Bowman and his fellow performers through photos, personal letters, and newspaper clippings.

A note by Tony Russell

The joy of this book is that in its scores of images we see every step of Charlie Bowman’s journey. A list of his wins in fiddling contests. In stage makeup among the pranksters of The Hill Billies. In the sharp-suited Rice Brothers Gang, the only band member wearing the hillbilly’s check shirt and overalls. Promotional ten-by-eights, newspaper ads, radio logs, postcards, record labels, telegrams, letters ... 

Read more

Bob Cox's Yesteryear: 700 Northeast Tennessee history articles are currently uploaded on this website with new ones being added weekly. Use the "Search" button on the top left to locate a desired subject. Use quotes to narrow the search.

Do you enjoy reading about the history of Northeast Tennessee and surrounding area? If so, welcome to "Bob Cox's Yesteryear" website (aka "Archives of Yesteryear"), containing my local history columns and features, most of which have appeared on Monday's History/Heritage page of the Johnson City (Tennessee) Press newspaper:  www.johnsoncitypress.com.

Since new articles are being added weekly, check back frequently. Also, use the "Search this site" button at the left or click on "article catagories" to find subjects of interest. Use quotation marks to narrow your search. Click on the photos along the right side and the corresponding article will be shown.

Subjects deal with the glorious beginnings of this beautiful Appalachian mountainous region. My primary focus lies mainly within Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina, with particular emphasis on Johnson City, Tennessee. Click on any photo along the right side and you will be directed to the corresponding article. I am currently in the process of adding many new photos to my articles.

Click on "Photo Galleries" at the top left to preview all the photos contained in my articles. The rotating questions at the top can be answered by clicking on them, which takes you to the article that contains the answer. So now ... sit back, relax and return with us to those glorious carefree days of yesteryear. I can be reached at boblcox@bcyesteryear.com.

Another great fully developed history website to explore is Henry's website: www.johnsonsdepot.com.

Copyright © 2004-17 by the Johnson City Press and Bob L. Cox. All Rights Reserved.

Reader Proud of Kinship to U.T. Football Greats, Hickman, Feathers

Louis Feathers, an occasional contributor to my column, is particularly proud of the fact that he is a fifth cousin to Herman Michael Hickman and William Beattie Feathers, two former University of Tennessee football standouts. Anybody knowledgeable of Big Orange football is familiar with the two names. Louis wrote about them in his 195-page autobiography.

11-28-2011
  • Sports
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Sycamore Shoals Monument Unveiling in 1910 Was Colossal Event

Drivers motoring along West G Street in Elizabethton encounter a unique memorial situated on a small hill at the intersection with Monument Place, just a short driving distance from Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. While some people scarcely give the century-old structure a passing glance, others are vividly aware that it symbolizes an epic event that significantly shaped our country’s history.

11-28-2011
  • Pioneers
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Opening the Yesteryear Mailbag: Seven Press Readers Respond

Today’s column contains seven responses from Press readers. Several contain requests for information.

11-21-2011
  • Other
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The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Came to Johnson City in 1922

In September 1922, exciting news went out in the Johnson City Daily News that the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was coming to Johnson City’s circus ground, the big rectangular lot located between E. Main and E. Market streets where the city municipal building is now located. Seventeen tents of various sizes were erected for the “amusement of the public and convenience of the employees.”

11-14-2011
  • Entertainment
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City Businesses Respectfully Closed Their Doors in 1910 to Honor Walter Brownlow

On July 11, 1910, every business in Johnson City respectfully closed its doors until after the funeral of one of the city’s most beloved citizens. Congressman Walter Preston Brownlow, a nephew of the controversial William Gunnaway “Parson” Brownlow, died two days earlier at the city’s National Soldiers' Home hospital after a lingering illness.

11-07-2011
  • Politics
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Local Residents Provide History of Downtown’s King’s Department Store

Jim Bowman provided some treasured memories about his employment at King’s Department Store at S. Roan and E. Main in the late 1950s. Bowman further talked to three long-time employees of the firm: Louise Curtis; Ellen Sells whose husband, Sam Sells, owned the establishment; and Rose Cooper) to tap into their reminiscences. Another source of information was an interview of Mr. Sells conducted by former Press writer, Alice Torbett, just prior to the store closing in 1984.

10-31-2011
  • Businesses
  • 2 comments
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Science Hill High School Adopted “Modern Methods” in 1922

Science Hill High School, once located downtown on “The Hill” at Roan and Water streets, opened its 1922-23 school year with plans to establish several “modern methods.” The director of the project was Miss Lucy Hatcher, the principal.

10-31-2011
  • Schools
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Smythe Electric: Once a Pioneer Business in Downtown Johnson City

Today’s column is the fulfillment of a column that was initiated with Beverly Smythe Jackson just a few weeks before her passing this summer. Her parents, W.F. Burgess “Shorty” and Florence Smythe, once owned Smythe Electric Company in downtown Johnson City. Three grandchildren of the storeowners, Senter Jackson, Susan Wilson and Carol Burleson, shared treasured memories about the business. Mr. Jackson furnished me with three old city directories containing references to the store’s beginning.

10-24-2011
  • Businesses
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Aunt Ween Toured with Father, Sister on Lowes Metropolitan Theatre Vaudeville Circut

Today’s column pays homage to my Aunt Ween, Pauline Bowman Huggans, who spent most of her life in Gray (Station) and Johnson City. She acquired the moniker from a young family member who had trouble pronouncing her first name. We called her Aunt Ween until she died in 2003.

10-17-2011
  • Music
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East Tennessee State Teachers College Built a New Library in 1931

As a commuting pre-engineering student at East Tennessee State College/University in the early 1960s, I found the school library to be a convenient haven for study between classes. A half century later, I now visit the beautiful and well-stocked Charles C. Sherrod Library that opened in 1998 to research local history.

10-10-2011
  • Schools
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Bob Cox's Yesteryear

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