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A Blast From The Past

Janey Deal
Genealogist/North Carolina Room

It was Tuesday afternoon. The door opened and two people walked in. I asked them if I could help them and they said they thought I could, but if not, maybe the Historical Museum could. She opened the manila envelope she was carrying and pulled out a brochure titled: “WHY YOU SHOULD SPEND YOUR VACATION AT MULL’S MOTEL, HICKORY, NC”, advertising Mulls as being one of the finest motels with 46 complete units; tile baths; telephones in every room; Hickory’s finest air conditioned restaurant on one side and a service station on the other. When she and her family came to Hickory, moved here by her father’s business, they stayed at Mulls Motel. The year was 1955.

Along with the brochure she handed me a copy of a letter from Gov. Luther Hodges. It seems her fifth grade class sent birthday greetings to our Govenor in return he sent a thank you. The school was Westmont School. Along with this letter she pulled out of her manila bag-of-plenty two pictures. One picture is of the school Principal, Mr. Joe C. White. The other one was of the faculty members of Westmont School. This picture has no names mentioned, but she said the teacher on the first row, second from the left was Mrs. Aderholdt. As she spoke of Mrs. Aderholdt you could see that she held her in high regard.

Just when I thought our visit was coming to an end, she pulled out a program from a Recital for the McGuire Dance Studio presented by the Hickory Business & Professional Women’s Club. The date is June 12, 1956. What can I say? This was just too much. To top it off, Laura Ann Harrison (Mrs. Stephen Harrison) was in here doing research on Lutheran Ministers. She too shared in the windfall. When she read this program she said, “My mother started this school, being the first Principal and first teacher.” The school she was referring to was the Catawba Valley Opportunity School. Her mother was Nell Hardy Campbell (Mrs. James F. Campbell). Proceeds from the sale of the Recital tickets went to this school.

Just whom were these people giving us gifts from Hickory’s past? She was Susan Albin Watson, and her brother, Michael. Susan lives in California. She saved these items for over 50 years and now they are here with us to enhance our Vertical File Collection. If you want to come by and reminisce with us or make donations, we are open Mon – Thur 9am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 9am – 6pm and Sunday 2pm – 6pm. Happy Hunting from your North Carolina Room at Hickory Public Library!