A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Alabama recently has had more money for highways than for schools. These thoroughfares are the source of both opportunity and, too often, tragedy.
1949 -March 18, Harold Peck Smith, John D. Long, Charles Boschung, and Judy Burleson were injured yesterday in an automobile accident on the Bee Line highway near Flint. The severity of all of the injuries has not yet been determined.
1912 -March 19, Morgan County has just added another $2,000 to the state highway fund, making a total now of $4,000 in this account. The state appropriates $2,000 a year in every county that puts in a similar amount. Within a very few years it is believed that Alabama will have a system of good roads reaching from one end of the state to the other.
1912 -March 20, The Woodall bridge, a steel structure over Flint river four miles west of Hartselle, gave way yesterday morning as a Hitt Lumber wagon, drawn by four mules and heavily loaded with logs, was passing over. The driver went down with the wagon and mules, but managed to make the bank in safety, although much bruised and shaken. Two other mules also were recovered but the other two were not seen and it is supposed they were caught under the wagon. It has been stated that the log wagons have been carrying too much tonnage for the pike roads.
1935 -March 21, Two lots on the Bee Line Highway are currently for sale. Both can probably be had for about $350.
2002 -March 21, Plans for a new Country Hearth Inn on a two-acre site at the Interstate 65 and Highway 36 interchange have been approved by the Hartselle Planning Commission.
1966 -March 22, Hartselle will soon deal with the nuisance of partially dismantled, nonoperating, wrecked, or junked vehicles on residential property. The guilty parties will be subject to having their old vehicles hauled off and impounded.
1947 -March 23, Jeff Weaver and Bill Midyette plan soon to open a new Shell service station east of the railroad on Main street.
1915 -March 24, State Highway Engineer W. S. Keller, brother of the famous Helen Keller, will spend the greater part of next week inspecting public highways in North Alabama.