1976 - Photographed here is famous athlete and coach from our little hometown, David Culley. This photo was not taken in 1976 but was published again to celebrate his key role in Vanderbilt University's upcoming season. David Culley played quarterback for Vanderbilt, and he was notably the first African American player on the team to play that position in the school's history. His most recent claim was being the Head Coach for the Houston Texans back in 2021, though he has coached various teams over the past few decades. The Recreational Complex off Highway 70 was renamed in 2022 in his honor.
1986 - One of the last photographs ever taken of the old railroad bridge just below Agee Oil Co. and White County Farm Center. The bridge was on the back burner for years before this, but in August of 1986, demolition began to bring the bridge down. It took about 30 days to finish, crossing over into September before this piece of the county was torn down, albeit for good reason.
1996 - The Eastland Volunteer Fire Department has had one of the more unique roles as a fire department in the county. Eastland, in 96 especially, was very lacking in homes and occupants. This made the job for the Eastland VFD a bit different than some of the other departments, as their largest percentage of fires tended to be woods and brush fires. It also led to an issue with raising funds. Despite this all, this team never shied away from the challenges they faced.
1966 - Mayor Bailey Bockman (See next Photograph for Context)
1966 - Pictured here is Mrs. Bockman, wife of the late Mayor. She is gazing at the E. Broadway Street sign that will soon be changed to the new name.
1996 - Pictured here is potentially one of the first photos taken of White County High School's new sport, starting in the 1996-97 school year: Soccer. This was the first year that soccer was added to the fall sports list for White County. Beforehand, the county had a youth league with the YMCA, but it was relatively slim pickings. Coach Ken Craig took up the mantle for this first year, even though it was only his second-year teaching at the school. And as we know now, Coach Craig stuck with it well. He still teaches at the school today.
Posted
By Josh Austin
1966
Now this is really one for the books. This week marked the day that Sparta's Broadway, the "Million-Dollar Mile" as some called it at the time, was being renamed to Bockman Way. The name was to honor former, late Mayor Bailey Bockman, who served several terms and passed away the year prior. Bockman served as Mayor of Sparta from 1947 to 1951 and 1953 to 1959.
The "Famous Class of 29" held a large picnic and class reunion at the old Baker's Park. While we couldn't find out why this class was so famous, they apparently had a huge turnout for a class nearly 40 years removed from graduation.
Oddly, three Sparta residents sent in photos of rattlesnakes they had to take out this past week, all sent in from the same day, August 12. One of the rattlers was over 4 feet long.
1976
In a wholesome moment at a well-known church, First Presbyterian Church surprised their choir director on his birthday after practice one day. Trovarelli was left stunned as the choir surprised him with cake, punch, and a plaque reading "World's Greatest Choir Director."
The Expositor posted a story sharing the poor state that county dumpsters and pick-up areas were in. After only a day post-emptying, garbage was overflowing off dumpsters and being strewn about. The story was titled "Public Abusing Garbage Pick-Up Areas."
1986
Highway 111 always seems to have problems or new construction, and that seemingly was a problem even in the past. A 3.2-mile section was approved with state funding, yet there was a hitch in starting construction due to a wetland. The low, marshy area caused state and federal agencies to question things, but local leaders pushed the envelope to get construction going.
Several White County 4-Hers participated in the district-wide Horse Judging Contest in Crossville. The senior team took home top honors in judging, hippology, and the team demonstration.
1996
Doyle Resident Vicki Burks struck gold when she won an entire swimming pool, deck, and accessories from a Nashville television show named "Talk of the Town."
2006
This bit of local history matches well with global fears at the time, as Debbie Hoyle addressed the White County Health Council regarding "Bird Flu." The mid 2000s saw a massive spread of the highly pathogenic "H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus." Wild birds would carry the virus in their intestines, and the risk to humans came through contact with infected birds or surfaces infected birds excreted on. The event caused many health representatives, such as Hoyte, to claim that local areas such as White County needed a pandemic plan.,
Rachel Stewart Billingsley made such an impact on the White County community that she was selected by a Congressional Committee to go to a President's Dinner up in Washington DC! The Sparta Flowers and Gifts owner was selected to receive the National Leadership Award. It should be noted this story occurred back in June but was only published in August after Billingsley returned to Sparta and settled down from the excitement.
Rock Island State Park made history due to a World Cup Kayaking event announced at the location, giving the sport Olympic status. Jackson Kayak's owner, Eric Jackson, was even set to participate in the event alongside three other White Countians.
2016
The Mad Raven recently opened up their doors, a business still well-known today for being a wonderful, relaxing location for books, coffee, and more.
Believed to be the first-ever women's 18-hole event at the Sparta Country Club, the Warriorettes and Lady Cavaliers met as archrivals once again on the green. And once again, the Warriorette golfers emerged victorious with a score of 151, against Cookeville's 176.
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