This was big news for Palmersville in 1923 and even made it into the Nashville Tennessean on March 25th:
Credit to County Agent R. E. Ellis!
Cheese Factory – 1923
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Crash!
May, 16th 1984 – Seen is an automobile accident in downtown Palmersville in 1984. An Oldsmobile (right) driven by Kenneth Moore with passenger six year old Ben Moore, and a 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 operated by Tim Edenfield collided at the intersection of TN State Highways 190 and 89. Moore’s vehicle came to rest on Workmans Grocery storefront. Seen in the background is Oliver’s Service Station. Occupants of both vehicles sustained minor injuries
Fairest of the Fair
On Saturday Sept 27, 1975 Miss Sherry Glison was crowned Miss Fairest of the Fair at the Palmersville Community Fair.
Other members of the royalty were Miss Shelia Gatewood, first Maid, Miss Stacie Fagan, second Maid, Miss Jackie Moore, first Alternate and Miss Barbara Barkhanusen second Alternate
“Fairest of the Fair” court of the 45th Annual Palmersville Community Fair held Sept, 30th 1972.
Fairest of the Fair, Miss Julie Brann – 1st Maid, Miss Mary Lois McClain – 2nd Maid, Miss Lafonda Westbrooks – 1st Alternate, Miss Robbie Sue Ainley – 2nd Alternate, Miss Laura Jane Robertson
Palmersville c. 1925
Palmersville, TN ( circa 1925)
Seen are the only remaining building left in operation after the destructive fire that destroyed most of Palmersville in 1923.
The concrete building was a General Merchandise store operated by Charlie Pentecost and Joe B. McWherter. The two story building was operated by Dr. R.M. Biggs, his merchandise included groceries, dry goods and a pharmacy. Later the post office was moved into this building.
In 1937 these two building we also destroyed by fire and the town Palmersville was then moved to it’s present day location.
Photo looking south east along the Latham highway (going east) to present day crossroads top of hill.
The Biggs House
The Biggs House as seen circa 1915
Front row (l to r) – Annabel Blakemore, Ruth Biggs, Ada Mae McWherter, Grethen McWherter
Back row (l to r) – Josephine Atkins, Dr. George Biggs, Lillian Atkins, Bessie Biggers and Lela Biggers, identity of man in buggy unknown
Located on Latham highway and the former home of Anna Jane Copeland, the Biggs House was a landmark in Palmersville having survived the big fire of 1923 that destroyed most of old Palmersville.
The home was demolished in 2018 after falling into disrepair.
Basketball Teams of 1936
Palmersville High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams of 1936
The names are not known in order:
- Mary Jane Kennedy (captain)
- Valma Simmons
- Tom Tyson (captain)
- Duke Crews
- Ercell Smeithwick
- Leah Mae Pentecost
- Max Kilgore
- Ruth Glynn Stephenson
- Barnie Harrison
- Douglas McClain
- Ruth Killebrew
- James Rawls
- Helin Simmons
- Scott Moore
- Estille Wilkinson
- Charles Simmons
- Janet Pentecost
- Mr. J. H. Elam
- Mr. F. D. Pentecost
Palmersville’s New School!
Palmersville, TN Oct. 21st, 1921, The new $10,000 Palmersville School
The building received two expanded wings (additional rooms) in the following years. The structure served as Palmersville’s High School for 59 years, demolished to make way for a new modern school building in 1980.
And here it is in the late 1960s:
The Bandit Bill McDougal – 1860s
All courts suspended sessions during the Civil War for various lengths of time. In this period of time, a notorious bandit and his gang were in Weakley County. His name was Bill McDougal, who was born in Palmersville. He would not rob the people of his home county, and the citizens of Weakley County would not hesitate to call on him to help against bushwhackers.
McDougal rode a trained show horse that was said could perform almost impossible feats. One day when he found a crowd of people on the Courthouse Square he started to ride his horse around a large sycamore tree that stood near the courthouse. He began to yell and shoot at the tree as he rode around it, and when the gunfire ceased it was discovered that he had shot his name into the tree.
Weakley County Courthouse – 1854
He then proceeded to ride his horse into the courthouse, up the stairs and into the courtroom where he fired four bullets into the wall. When he and his horse came out of the courthouse, he quietly rode away. For several years he continued to alarm the people of Weakley County with similar feats.
Tennessee County History Series – By Virginia Vaughn
Cooks and Drivers!
Three Palmersville School cooks
(L to R) Alphabelle Jackson, Nell Olds and Anabel Henderson
And here are six Palmersville School bus drivers (L to R) Denny Watkins, Frank Olds, Martha Copeland, Steve Bowlin, Jerry Crittendon and James Rawls
P’ville School in the 40s
Here is the Palmersville School as seen in the 1940s.
Source: Robert G Reynolds of Palmersville TN News on Facebook @palmersvilltennessee;
Palmersville Historical Society 