Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (2025)

Donna Swicegood

Ten years ago:

Aug. 13-19, 2014

Record & Landmark

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (1)

It’s not an honor the US Post Office hands out every day. In fact, less than two percent of the more than 2,000 carriers in the Greensboro district achieve the recognition presented to Statesville carrier Jerry Chin Tuesday morning. Chin joined the ranks of the Million Mile Club, an honor presented by the National Safety Council for at least 30 years of driving in a job-related capacity without a preventable accident. (8/13)

Joy Morrison is a believer that miracles — or things that greatly resemble them — are not relegated to the days of yore. She calls them “God things” and she has already seen plenty during her short time as director of Iredell Christian Ministries. Morrison has been at the helm of the pantry operation since the first of the month and while she is still learning, she is getting an understanding that some things just happen. (8/14)

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Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (2)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (3)

Photos: John Mayer, star witness? “Wow … That’s a good looking man! …In Statesville!” were the first things that crossed 220 Café manager Kelli Simko’s mind when she saw the man in a dark suit sitting in her restaurant. She soon realized that her customer was musician John Mayer — who was having lunch (fish tacos) at the downtown Statesville restaurant with three other people — as did many of the other diners, who were buzzing with excitement. Mayer was very gracious, customers said, and shook hands and posed for pictures. He also left a good impression on those in the restaurant by greeting all seven uniformed National Guardsmen who were sitting at a nearby table. Before leaving, Simko said Mayer pulled a server aside and left “more than enough” money to cover the servicemen’s lunch and a healthy tip for the staff. Simko said Mayer was in Statesville for a court appearance. (8/15)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (4)

Sixteen months after opening Bettoria’s Unique Gifts in downtown Statesville, owner Gloria Batz is getting ready to pack up the store and reopen Sept. 2 at 1623 Buffalo Shoals Road, which is located on the southwest corner of the intersection with Old Mountain Road known as Kyles Crossroads. Batz said she made the decision to relocate because the owner of downtown space has put the building up for sale, but she is eager to make the move because she expects it to boost business. (8/16)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (5)

Milton McAlister never gave up on his beloved cockatiel, Charlie, after the bird escaped from his house more than two years ago. After a couple of weeks, he tried to put Charlie’s cage in the utility building behind his Troutman home, but couldn’t quite believe the bird was gone for good. But a series of circumstances brought McAlister and his wife, Judy, back together with Charlie. (8/17)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (6)

Jesus told his disciples that there is nothing hidden that will not eventually be revealed. And so it was at the pulpit of an old church in North Iredell that secrets of one of the county’s oldest cemeteries were told Sunday at an annual gathering of the congregation and others from the nearby community. Sam Hall, a member of Snow Creek Cemetery’s governing body, told those gathered at the Methodist church next to the cemetery that the grounds hold the remains of nearly 1,000 people who lived and died and were buried there over the course of 2 ½ centuries. (8/18)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (7)

It’s settled: Minnie Mouse has to go. In a split 4-3 vote, the Statesville City Council voted Monday to deny a temporary reprieve that would have allowed an unsanctioned mural painted on the New South Gallery & Studio to stay while city staff drafts update to Statesville’s ordinances regarding public art and graffiti. (8/19)

Twenty-five years ago:

Aug. 13-19, 1999

Record & Landmark

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (8)

Photo: 1999 SIYAA League champions — The Celeste Henkel-Heintz Bros. 9-10 girls team finished the regular season in first place and went on to win the tournament without losing a game. Pictured are (front row, from left), Caycee Cornett, Bridgette Mountain, Kristen Ballard and Kelly Dawkins. (Second row) Becky Vestal, Jamie Gober, Courtney Pope, Shanika Mayfield and Amber Myers. (Third row) Joni Garrett, Jenna Olive, Stephanie Cook, Laura Bass and Kendayl Waugh. (Back row) Coaches David Heintz, Robert Garrett and Terry Waugh. (8/13)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (9)

Photo: A perfect Harmony — The Harmony 11-12 boys baseball team won the 1999 Iredell County Championship by defeating West Iredell and Union Grove in a round-robin tournament. Team members: (front row, from left) Michael Blansett, Michael Wilkerson, Quintin Hart, Jon Gray, Jeff Woods, Drew Innocenzi, Ryan Gregory, Gino Wiedeman, Brandon Moore and Randy Christian; (second row) coaches Renwick Hart, Carl Wilkerson and Gerry Livengood. Not pictured are Jeff Safley, Jacob Stroud, Chris Frye and coach David Stroud. (8/14)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (10)

Mr. and Mrs. Otis Robert Westmoreland Sr. renewed their wedding vows in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary July 10, 1999, at Shinnsville United Church of Christ. A reception was held at the American Legion in Statesville. Married July 9, 1949, the couple are the parents of Brenda Harris and Otis and Iris Westmoreland, all of Mooresville and Patricia Westmoreland and Glenora Pinkston, both of Troutman. They have 22 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. (8/15)

Glenda Allison of Statesville received the Musical Menu Award during the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Annual Fall Board Session in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 4-8. Allison attended the session with her husband, Johnny, who is the first vice president of the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs and president of the local MacDowell Music Club. (8/16)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (11)

OLIN — For West Iredell volleyball coach Ellyn Johnson, Monday’s game at North Iredell was a homecoming. The 1990 North Iredell graduate and one-time Raiders’ volleyball player came into the gym as the enemy this time, though. Needing a win to earn her 100th career victory, her Warriors took a tough 12-15, 15-7, 15-5, 15-10 triumph over the Raiders. Johnson said she didn’t think about the occasion until after it was over, but it was fitting that it happened where it did. (8/17)

The time has come for the annual Yokefellow Ministries annual Hunger Walk, the major fund-raiser for the group’s Good Samaritan Fund. A kickoff will be held Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. The Hunger Walk is set for Saturday, Oct. 2 at Mac Anderson Park and is open to any group or individual. A silent auction is planned to start the fund raiser off this year and the goal is $10,000. (8/18)

The Polk-Gray Drug Store building has a new life as an outdoor clothing and accessory store, and three new apartments. The 1885 building was originally built to house the Polk-Gray Drug Company. It was later purchased and operated as Holmes Drug Store until it closed in 1997 when Holmes was purchased by CVS Pharmacy. At the time it was closed, it had been the oldest continually operated business in historic downtown Statesville. (8/19)

Fifty years ago:

Aug. 13-19, 1974

Record & Landmark

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (12)

Dr. W. Amos Abrams called for teachers to become “Holy Grail Teachers” in an address today to more than 200 city school teachers in Mac Gray Auditorium during the opening day of a nine-day orientation. “The phrase ‘just a teacher’ is a contradiction in terms if not an utter impossibility,” Dr. Abrams said. Dr. Abrams, editor-emeritus of North Carolina Education, spoke on “The Holy Grail of Teaching — Lost Or Found.” 8/13

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (13)

Foy Lanier possesses a quality that is rare today — staying power. For 50 years the Iredell County native has remained on the job at Brady Printing Company and he vows to continue “as long as they’ll have me.” He first went to work at Brady’s in 1924 when he was 20 years old. (8/14)

Jim Harmon of Harmon Food Stores, Inc., has announced plans for the opening of a new Bantam Chef restaurant on Friday at 110 N. Tradd St. The second fast-food service restaurant in the local chain will feature a variety of sandwiches and also will serve breakfast. The restaurant will open at 6 a.m. for breakfast and close at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It will open from 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. (8/15)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (14)

The caravan to Atlanta starts rolling tomorrow morning. All plans are go for Statesville Day in Atlanta Stadium. The committee of local professionals and businessmen has announced that enough money has been raised to send the group of pre-teen baseball players to the game and to honor Herman Starrette. About $3,500 has come into the pre-teen fund by checks from individuals and organizations in the Statesville area. (8/16)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (15)

Photo: THE CRAWL — Johnny Henderson, left, swimming instructor for the adult beginners, teaches, left to right, Pam Drum, Norman Flinchum, Dottie Osley, Gail Leaird, and Laurie Davidson the proper arm stroke for the crawl. Over 1,000 swimmers have been taught at Grace Park Pool this summer. (8/17)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (16)

Statesville Chapter, Order of DeMolay, has honored Brother Glenn M. Chandler, 821 West End Ave., by giving a newly initiated class his name. Chandler holds the senior DeMolay award, Cross of Honor Award, and is an active Legion of Honor member. He was chapter dad when the first young man from Statesville, John Rouche, now a professor at the University of Texas, was named master councilor. (8/19)

Seventy-five years ago:

Aug. 13-19, 1949

Daily Record

Statesville’s city council gave its approval to a new traffic pattern at Front and Center streets and started casting about for other ways to improve the local traffic situation. The council recommended City Manager C. L. Lineback on setting up two lanes for west-bound traffic on Front street. One lane is for through and turn-right traffic, while the other is for cars which are turning left. (8/13)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (17)

Down In Iredell — FOOTBALL TIME — Football officially came back on the Statesville scene today as Coach Dave (Moanin’ Low) Diamont put down his crying towel long enough to greet about 50 candidates for the 1949 Greyhound eleven. Diamont registered the boys and then issued orders for them to report back to him at 4 p.m. today for their first drill. He will have practices at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day until school begins. (8/15)

In the recreation department’s junior and midget baseball playoffs the North Statesville team defeated the Wolves 6-2 to win the first series and the Dodgers evened the series at one all by defeating the Rockets 14-2. Buddy Brawley pitched North Statesville to victory allowing six hits and striking out seven. Conger, the losing pitcher, struck out six and allowed seven hits. Billy Pharr and Jimmy Webb had doubles for the winners. Leading hitters for the Wolves were Sharpe and D. McCurdy who had two hits each. (8/16)

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (18)

Entering the world in the year of the California gold rush, Mrs. Annie Hall of near Statesville achieves tomorrow the unusual distinction of being a century old. Mrs. Hall was born August 18, 1849, in Talermarken, Norway, and at the age of 18 came with her uncle to the new land of America. It took her over seven weeks to cross the ocean in a small sailing boat. In order to repay her uncle for her passage she had to work on a farm near Boston, Mass., during her first few years in the new world. (8/17)

The highway department today called attention to two alternate routes between Statesville and Troutman which it said are in good shape to be used while reconstruction work is underway on the Charlotte highway. The routes are old No. 10, which starts on Buffalo street and is paved to Kyles crossroads and the other is the Wallace Springs road near Goforth Motor company on the Boulevard. (8/18)

Statesville’s city council yesterday recommended that Kiker and Yount Construction company of Reidsville be awarded the contract for construction of Statesville’s new airport. Kiker and Yount submitted a low bid of $33,890.50 for the grading work at the airport, located about wo miles west of the city on the Hickory highway. Second low in the bidding was Gilbert Engineering company of Statesville with a bid of $41,913.15. (8/19)

One hundred years ago:

Aug. 14-18, 1924

The Landmark

Out of Our Past: JC Penney store opens in Statesville 100 years ago (19)

The J. C. Penney Company opens its Statesville store to the public tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock, in the storeroom on west Broad street, formerly occupied by The Bunch Company. Mr. I. G. McCully, manager, has been here for some weeks, seeing to the remodeling of the building, organizing a sales force, receiving and arranging stock for the opening. The store here is one of a large chain, the links numbering more than 500 department stores, located in cities of more than 35 States. (8/14)

But for the presence of a screen door, the interior of the residence of Mr. W. S. Page, in the Cool Spring township, would have seen the finish of a fox-chase Thursday evening. As it was, the chase ended on the front porch. About 11 o’clock, Mr. Page was aroused by a terrific commotion on the porch. He went to the door and discovered that the porch was crowded with dogs. Failing in the chase with a fox, they were taking it out on the house cat, he thought. When he turned on the light, however, he saw it was a red fox they had. (8/14)

Formal notices, mailed out Tuesday from Statesville, announced the opening of the Statesville city schools on Monday, September 1. A general teachers’ meeting will be held here at the high school building Saturday morning, August 30, at 10 o’clock. Superintendent R. M. Gray is expected to return to the city the first of next week from New York, where he has been for the past six weeks attending the summer session of Columbia University. (8/14)

Engineers arrived today to make a surgery of the J. C. Sullivan property, on the Turnersburg hard-surface highway which is to be placed on the market as residential lots. The property is owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Holbrook, of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Holbrook being a daughter of Mr. Sullivan. The property will be placed in the hands of a development company for sale, it is understood. From a point near the Mocksville road it extends beyond the Free Nancy Branch. (8/18)

A copper still of 40 gallon capacity was captured Saturday about noon by Deputy Sheriffs M. D. Tilley and M. E. Godfrey in New Hope township, on Rocky Creek. Four hundred gallons of apple pomace was poured out. The still was in operation when the officers arrived, but the operators made their escape when the officers were 125 yards away. (8/18)

Mr. Herman G. Baity, assistant engineer of the state bureau of sanitary engineering and inspection, originally of Harmony, has been awarded a fellowship for a year’s work and study by the Rockefeller Foundation. Mr. Baity plans to spend the collegiate year at Harvard, doing research work, afterward going to Europe for several months’ study and observation. (8/18)

One hundred twenty-five years ago:

Aug. 15-18, 1899

The Landmark

Mr. J. L. Goodman, the fireman who so narrowly escaped a serious injury at Bostian’s bridge last week, has returned to his farm near Amity. Mr. Goodman some years ago was in the railroad service, but quit. He had just gone back and was making his first trip when the accident occurred, but he says the farm is good enough for him now. (8/15)

The game of ball Friday afternoon between the Statesville Juniors and the Concord Tigers resulted in a victory for Capt. Matt Gunn’s team by a score of 8 to 6. The game was an interesting one, and there was some good playing o both sides. The work of the Juniors’ pony battery, Ross and Spence, was first-class. For Concord the playing of the two Sharpes and Pressly was the kind that wins games. The crowd was not as large as it ought to have been, for the game was a better one than a good many that have been seen here this year. (8/15)

The Statesville Development Co., which owns some very desirable and valuable real estate in town and in the suburbs, will offer all of its property for sale at public auction on the first Monday in October. A description of the property, terms of sale, etc., is set forth in this paper. This sale will offer a splendid opportunity to intending investors in Statesville dirt, and Statesville dirt is valuable and growing more valuable daily. The town has a rapid and substantial growth and its future was never brighter than now. (8/15)

The fire committee of the board of aldermen recently purchased three hose reels, a lot of new hose and other necessary equipment for the fire department. The goods arrived a few days ago and the fire company will soon be equipped in first-class shape. (8/18)

The board of aldermen met in special session Tuesday afternoon, the mayor and all the aldermen present except Alderman Tomlin, who was out of town. The hog pen question was discussed and an ordinance offered abolishing hog pens in the fire limits. There was some discussion as to the time when the ordinance should go into effect and a motion was made to make the date January 1st. A substitute for this motion, instructing the health committee and the ordinance committee to embrace a larger territory than the fire limits in the proposed ordinance, and report to the next meeting, was adopted. And the hog is still safe for a time at least. (8/18)

Some ten years ago there swung in front of Messrs. W. S. Phifer & Co.’s store, on the Opera House corner, a sign advertising Phifer’s lunches — the fat man who ate and the lean man who didn’t eat them. The sign was stolen and forgotten. Yesterday morning it was found swinging to the awning ropes in front of Messrs. Phifer & Co.’s present stand. The sign is in good condition and the question is, where has it been and who brought it back. (8/18)

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Dive into hometown history

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Donna Swicegood

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