1983, Cathy Goode
The following is a month-by-month compilation of news in Rutherford County, Tennessee:
JANUARY
The Parker Group of Smyrna announced plans for a $14 million industrial warehouse complex. Perimeter Square will be built in Smyrna at the intersection of J. S. Young Road and Enon Springs Road (ed. J.S. Young Road is now known Nissan Blvd.) The two warehouses and office building are scheduled to open in April 1983.
FEBRUARY
The practicing Veterinarians of Rutherford County have formed The Rutherford County Veterinary Society. The organization is nonprofit and all Veterinarians practicing in the County are charter members. Officers elected are Dr. John Key, President; Dr. H.B. Smith, Secretary-Treasurer and Dr. George Jackson, Director.
Construction began this month in Smyrna by L&N crews for the installation of a grade crossing warning device at the Washington Street crossing. The new safety equipment will include overhead lights, gates and motion detectors.
United States and Nissan officials recently celebrated the opening of the L & N Railroad access line to the Nissan Plant.
Five box cars loaded with production equipment entered the Plant through the new railroad tunnel under Highway 4l South
The new Senior Citizens facility has opened on St. Clair Street in Murfreesboro. The new Center includes office space for administration of the facility and the nutrition program as well as a kitchen, dining area, recreation area and storage space.
Bridgestone Tire Company of Japan has agreed to purchase Firestone Tire & Rubber Company’s LaVergne truck tire plant. The sale will be consummated later in the year.
MARCH
Governor Lamar Alexander has appointed Mr. Ernest King Johns of Smyrna to a seat on the Board of Directors for The Sam Davis Memorial Association. Mr. Johns is also the County Historian.
Hoover Universal, Inc. announced an agreement in principle to purchase a 17 acre site on Molloy Lane in Murfreesboro as the proposed location of its new Tennessee truck seating assembly plant. The new plant is being constructed in conjunction with the Nissan truck plant in Smyrna.
Frank Johns Realty Company has moved into a new office building located near the Smyrna Square Shopping Center.
Stones River Battlefield recovered the bronze eagle that had been stolen 15 years ago. The eagle was erected in 1882 to commemorate the Army of the Cumberland soldiers who died at the Battle of Stones River. The eagle will be repaired and then put back in place.
The Smyrna High School Lady Bulldogs Basketball team won the Class AAA State Tournament Championship.
APRIL
Rutherford County records dating back to 1802 were removed from temporary storage in an underground vault in Murfreesboro. They will be sent to the State Library and Archives for a fumigation process and then will be permanently stored in a room In the County Courthouse.
During road excavation of the Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, the remains of 21 early inhabitants of Tennessee were discovered in circular burial basins. The remains date back to 3,000-6,000 years and are consistent with the Late Archaic period between the first and third centuries, B.C.
Middle Tennessee State University recently premiered its own locally produced television show on Cable Television 12 in Murfreesboro.
Construction has begun on a second Winn-Dixie Store in Smyrna. It will be located near the intersection of Almaville Road and the Old Nashville Highway. The store is expected to open in July.
The Rutherford County Commission approved industrial revenue bonds to allow the financing of Hoover Universal, Inc. to build a truck seat assembly plant in Murfreesboro. The plant will employ 50-60 workers.
Crosslin Supply Company recently celebrated the Grand Opening of its new facility on Sullivan Street in Smyrna. The new store and lumber yard has a total of seven buildings. The original site of Crosslin Supply Co. is now the Crosslin Restaurant.
The Nissan plant in Smyrna has officially been designated as a free trade subzone. Security of the plant is now under federal guidelines and U. S. Customs will control the materials in and out of the plant site.
The Tennessee Department of Employment Security announced that it will open a Job Service office in Smyrna on June 1, 1982. The office will serve job applicants and employers in the Smyrna and LaVergne areas of Rutherford County.
MAY
Rich Food Products Inc. of Murfreesboro announced plans to expand its facility and install new equipment. The expansion will double the size of the present facility and add 85 new jobs.
Sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, an International Folk Fest was held this month in Murfreesboro. The visiting international dance troups were from France, Spain, Canada and the Canary Islands. The Rutherford County Square Dancers and the Cripple Creek Cloggers also performed. A Street Festival and a Corporate Trade Fair was held in conjunction with the Folk Fest.
Commerce Union Bank of Rutherford County opened a branch office on South Lowry Street in Smyrna.
The Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce has opened an office in the Smyrna City Hall to further serve the northern end of the County.
The recently re-named Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna was reopened with an enrollment of 30 students. The Center had been closed for three months for study and reorganization.
The Murfreesboro Press announced that it will change from a weekly paper to a daily newspaper. The new name will be the Morning Press and will publish morning editions six days a week. The Morning Press will move into its new offices on South Church Street as soon as construction on the building is completed.
The Nashville Catholic Diocese purchased 10 acres of land in the Smyrna area for the establishment of a church to serve Catholics in the northwest section of the County.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were recently held for the opening of Duff’s Smorgasbord Restaurant on Broad Street in Murfreesboro.
The new K-Mart discount department store on North Lowry Street in Smyrna opened this month. The store will employ more than 65 local residents full time and additional personnel will be hired during holiday seasons.
Pic ‘n Pay, a family shoe store and Captain D’s Restaurant opened for business in the K-Mart Shopping Center in Smyrna.
JUNE
Hospital Corporation of America announced plans for a 30 month lease of Smyrna Hospital and to eventually build a new 100 bed hospital in Smyrna. Upon completion of the lease and construction of the new hospital, the present hospital will revert to the City for possible use as a nursing home or convalescent center.
Middle Tennessee Christian School announced plans to open a satellite primary school in Smyrna this fall. The school will be held in the education building of the Division Street Church of Christ and will consist of only the first grade. Other grades will be added later and a new building will be constructed for the school.
The United States Postal Service announced tentative plans for a contract station at the downtown Post Office in Murfreesboro. The main Post Office will be relocated at a site on South Church Street.
The Rutherford County Courthouse restoration has been completed. The exterior restoration included refurbished windows, a lightning rod atop the cupola and chemically-cleaned the original red brick and mortar.
Construction of a new National Guard Armory in Rutherford County is scheduled to begin in October 1983 and should take about 1 year to complete. The Armory will be located in the 1-24 and Highway 96 area.
The Briarpatch Restaurant has been sold to owners of The Peddler franchise. After renovation, The Peddler hopes to open in July.
The new Kroger Superstore and Super X Drug Store opened this month in the K-Mart Shopping Center in Smyrna.
JULY
Uncle Dave Macon Days was held in Murfreesboro this month. Grand Marshal of the festival was John Hartford. Several musical competitions and a parade was held along with a new gospel contest.
Suncreek Townhomes has opened on Davis Park Drive in Smyrna. The 22 unit complex is a planned unit development.
Smyrna was host city for the U.S. Slo-Pitch Softball Association Girls Youth State Tournament. The three day event drew 50 teams to participate in the Tournament.
AUGUST
Old Timers Day was held in LaVergne this month. The event was also coupled with the twinning of LaVergne, France and LaVergne, Tennessee. Approximately 40 residents of LaVergne, France arrived for a 5 day visit. Their visit will complete the twinning ceremonies initiated in LaVergne, France in I981 when a group from LaVergne, Tennessee visited France. The dedication of the new I-24 connector was held the same day.
The International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show, a six day event, was held at the Agricultural Center in Murfreesboro.
The Tennessee National Guard recently announced plans to establish a permanent base for the training of Guard officer candidates. The base will utilize facilities at the Smyrna Airport. The school consists of classroom along with field training.
McDonald’s Restaurant opened this month in Smyrna near the K-Mart Shopping Center on No. Lowry Street.
Ground-breaking ceremonies were held in LaVergne by officials of First National Bank of Rutherford County. Construction is underway and will be completed by mid-November.
SEPTEMBER
The Rutherford County Health Facilities Board approved a revenue bond for construction of a nursing home in Smyrna. The developer is Smyrna Medical Associates and the nursing home will have a 100 bed capacity.
Horner-Rausch announced the opening of a new store in the K-Mart Shopping Center in Smyrna.
The State of Tennessee announced plans for construction to begin in October of a new National Guard Armory in Smyrna. The new Armory will be located at the Smyrna Airport. The facility will be a two story structure containing classrooms, offices, a drill hall, an indoor rifle range, kitchen, storage and locker rooms, learning center and bathrooms.
Richland Terrace Town Homes opened this month in Smyrna. The Georgetown townhouse style complex is located on Richland Ave, and encompasses 11.5 acres. The complex will consist of 80 units.
Winn-Dixie Food Stores opened its second Winn-Dixie store in Smyrna near the intersection of Almaville Road and the Old Nashville Highway.
The General Electric Plant in Murfreesboro celebrated its 25th birthday. Plant executives and employees participated in an open house for employee families and city and government officials.
The Tennessee Aviation Days Air Show was held this month at the Smyrna Airport. The Air Show is sponsored by the Smyrna-LaVergne and Donelson Rotary Clubs and is a mixture of military and civilian aircraft as well as other acts. Proceeds from the Air Show benefit local charities.
OCTOBER
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the Southern Hills Estates Development. Situated near the former Fox Run Golf Course, the 285 acres were annexed into the City of Murfreesboro. The new development will include single-family homes, a golf course and clubhouse.
Lakeshore Luxury Townhouses recently held an open house. Located just off Weakley Lane in Smyrna, the development will have 65 lots on 36 acres.
Goldstein’s Department Store on the Public Square in Murfreesboro announced that it will close this fall. Odom’s Restaurant in the Jackson Heights Plaza will also close this month.
Parker House Child Care Center opened this month. The Center is located on Enon Springs Road in Smyrna and will care for children 18 months to school age.
Smyrna Hospital recently opened a detoxification unit at the Hospital. The alcohol and drug abuse program is geared to a short stay basis with follow-up on an out-patient basis.
Walden Corp. of Chattanooga announced plans to begin construction of a 50 unit apartment complex in LaVergne. The Kingsridge Village apartments will be located on Waldron Road across from 1-24.
Albert’s, a clothing store opened in the K-Mart Shopping Center in Smyrna.
NOVEMBER
The Murfreesboro City Council approved a lease agreement with Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Cooperative that would allow the conversion of Walter Hill Dam into a power generator.
Maytag Homestyle Laundry opened this month in Smyrna at the K-Mart Shopping Center. Tennessee Video II also opened and will offer movie sales and tape rentals.
The Daily News Journal, published in Murfreesboro, became the County’s first seven-day week newspaper.
Eckerd Drugs recently opened for business in the Smyrna Square Shopping Center. Eckerd is the successor to Treasury Drug.
The Smyrna Medical Clinic opened this month. The Clinic is a subsidiary of HCA and currently has its offices in the Smyrna Hospital. The Clinic will remain there until a new office building is constructed near the new Hospital and will be open on a 24 hour basis.
Po Folks Inc. has leased the site of the former Sambo’s Restaurant in the Stones River Plaza in Murfreesboro. Construction will begin as soon as possible to remodel the current structure. Opening date has been tentatively set for late December.
1982 ELECTION RESULTS
Eagleville City Election
Mayor: Fred Hobbs
Council Member: Frank S. Brent
Council Member: Terry W. Cunningham
Council Member: Donald E. Wilson
LaVergne City Election
Commissioner: Joe Montgomery
Commissioner: Jack L. Moore
Murfreesboro City Election
Mayor: Joe B. Jackson
Council Member: Robert E. Corlew III
Council Member: Mary Huhta
Council Member: John Pittard
Rutherford County Election
Circuit Court Judge: Steve Daniel
Chancellor: Whitney Stegall
D. A. General: Guy R. Dotson, Sr.
County Executive: John Mankin
Property Assessor: Tommy Sanford
Trustee: Howard Penuel
Sheriff: Craig Snell
Circuit Court Clerk: Bob Suddarth
County Clerk: Ed Elam
Register of Deeds: Hoover Jones
Road Board, Zone 4: Lee Victory
Road Board, Zone 5: Dave Ralston
School Board, Zone 1: Patsy Brown
School Board, Zone 4: Fred Hobbs
School Board, Zone 5: Tom Kendrick
School Board, Zone 7: Thomas Swann
Superintendent of Schools: Carl Buckner
General Sessions Judge Part 1: James Buckner
Gen. Sessions Judge Part 2: James Clayton