Author Archives: Clint

Today (May 18) is the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Deerfield-Ethridge Tornado. On May 18, 1995, an F-4 tornado cut a huge, 29-mile path of destruction across Piney, Deerfield, Brace, and Ethridge, killing three and injuring 32. The massive twister … Continue reading →

In the days when each community had its own school, there was no lack of ballgames–or friendly community rivalry–in Lawrence County. This picture shows the Deerfield School basketball teams of 1936. From left, first row: Coach T.D. Rayfield, Edith Clayton … Continue reading →

Thanks to Ben Carpenter, one of our Alabama readers, for sending us these great photos. This antique fire truck once belonged to the Lawrenceburg Fire Department, but is currently sitting in a field between Mt. Hope, Alabama and Moulton, Alabama. … Continue reading →

A few months ago, I mentioned a local legend concerning President James K. Polk’s squabble with a local postmaster. Tonight, I have an update about the validity of that legend. Polk was no stranger to Lawrence County. Although he lived … Continue reading →

It took a lot of guts for a black man to stand up to the Klan in the uncertain days of Reconstruction. But that’s exactly what one of Lawrence County’s newly-freed slaves did in the late 1860s. Reverend Payton Sowell … Continue reading →

Murray Ohio not only employed thousands of people from Lawrence and surrounding counties, it also helped many local students pay for college. In addition to the massive amount of scholarship money the company awarded to Lawrence County’s students, the company … Continue reading →

Readers, for your enjoyment, here is a bit of Lawrence County’s religious history. This booklet belonged to Alta Alley of Deerfield, and contains the Lawrence County Baptist Association’s 1934 minutes from its annual meeting at Park Grove Baptist Church. Do … Continue reading →

Today (April 16) is the 17th anniversary of the ‘Forgotten F-5,’ so-called because the Nashville tornadoes of the same day overshadowed reports of the storm on major news networks. The storm that tore through Lawrence County on April 16, 1998 … Continue reading →

We wish to extend our condolences to the family of one of Lawrence County’s finest gentlemen, Coach Aaron McCroskey. Coach McCroskey passed away this morning. Coach McCroskey’s ministry as a teacher, coach, and pastor touched the lives of many local … Continue reading →

Our great Lawrence County teachers will appreciate this. Did you know that Lawrence County teachers have been attending teacher in-service programs for well over a century? And that they used to occur on Saturday mornings? And that they often required … Continue reading →