The Shadow
Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The Virginian Review and other publications archived since 1914. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical purposes and accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original, unedited form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
100 Years Ago
July 1926
Indian Draft Snake Killers- Mr. McKinley Reynolds killed the largest rattle snake Saturday that has been killed in this section for some time, it has sixteen rattlers and a button. Mr. D.M. Traynor has also killed two more large rattlers, one having twelve and the other ten.
50 Years Ago
July 1976
The Bicentennial “I love America” parade was held in Covington, an estimated 5,000 or more flocked to downtown Covington to see it. Radio station WKEY News Director Dwight Rohr and Emory W Brackman broadcasted a description of the parade. Lt. Col. Richard F. Berine III USAR – (Ret,) and Del. William T Wilson, were co-marshals of the parade, both on horseback.
The official signing of the charter membership list of the Good News Fellowship Church will be held at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. The church choir, and the singing Chappells will present music for the service.
Larry Epperly, head basketball coach at Alleghany County High School, will still be holding that position. There have been widespread rumors that Epperly was leaving the Alleghany position to take a head coach position at Christiansburg.
Carnival rides arrive in Covington and will be set up in the parking lot next to City Hall. The event is sponsored by the Covington Retail Merchants.
Fort Young Project- The Fort Young Restoration project received its first load of selected pine logs from Westvaco to build a stockade and blockhouses on land being deeded by the City of Covington. The authentic restoration is being erected by a group of community volunteers from plans first drawn by George Washington.
25 Years Ago
July 2001
A Hot Time in Olde Town Covington, sponsored by Olde Town Covington Inc kicked off the day’s activities with a downtown parade. As the parade ended, the second event, a chili cook-off, got underway. The Fourth of July festivities moved to Covington’s Wal-Mart for the Big Country 101 Community July 4th celebration, sponsored by the radio station. The evening was highlighted with a variety of music by area singers, including Nicole Shinault, Phillips Jones, Marcia Smith, Laura Loudermilk, Karis Kimberlin and the Virginia Opry.
Members of the Charles Pinckney Jones Memorial Library board of directors and expansion committee gathered on the library’s front lawn to announce the 1.8 million expansion, and renovation goal has been exceeded.
July 1st was the first meeting for the new Clifton Forge Town Council since the former city reverted to town status. The meeting marked a new era for the 4,400 residents who are now also residents of Alleghany County.
10 Years Ago
July 2006
Covington Fire Department and Rescue Squad personnel, along with area dignitaries, gathered this morning at their Hawthorne Street location to break ground for its first expansion project in 30 years. Made possible through a donation from the estate of the late Robert G. “Bobby” Neil, the addition will add three storage bays to the rear of the 1969 fire station.
The Historic Masonic Theatre hosted an open house and ribbon cutting celebration in downtown Clifton Forge. The occasion marked completion of the $6.5 million in renovations that began in April.
5 Years Ago
July 2021
Iron Gate Mayor Alan Williams announced that he expects the new water tank to go online by September 1.
Covington Police Department Sgt. Darrell Hicks retires after 24 years of service.
The Rev. Bill Gilliland of Covington has published second book, “Snapshots of Hope”. Gilliland witnesses’ grief on a regular basis. In addition to his years as a Christian minister, he has spent 14 years serving as a chaplain and grief counselor.
