Times Past, 8/21/24
This photo of the village of Rockbridge, found several years ago in an Ozark County Times photo file, is thought to have been taken around 1900. Three of the four buildings in the photo are still standing: the mill; the small, white bank building; and the large white farmhouse. The large general store building (with horses tied at hitching posts out front) was quickly rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1986. All are part of today’s Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch, which is celebrating its 70th year in business this week. The rebuilt general store now houses a popular restaurant and serves as the headquarters for the resort, now owned by Ray Amyx, whose grandparents, the late Sidney and Edgie Amyx, who were married at Rockbridge in 1895 and who homesteaded nearby land.
Ozark County News
Aug. 22, 1889
The G.A.R. [Grand Army of the Republic] Post at this place has set the 12th of September for a Reunion of the old soldiers of the county. A public dinner, we understand, will be given.
Our advice to young men who desire to attend a good school this winter is, come to Gainesville. The school here is not to be excelled in any respect, and we understand that arrangements are being made to board pupils about as cheap as they can live at home.
Aug. 23, 1900
The residence of Capt. J. H. Sallee, who lives 4 miles west of Thornfield, was destroyed by fire Monday. He also lost all his wheat crop just threshed and all his household goods. No insurance.
Ozark County Times
Aug. 20, 1931
Bids for buses and drivers for carrying pupils to the high school in this city from the Mammoth district and east to the Swain place on No. 80 were opened at the county superintendent’s office Monday. In the Mammoth district, Bob Robbins had the low bid; it was $295 per month. Ralph Amyx had the low bid on the eastern route on No. 80. It was for $75 per month.
Hammond – Frank Barner has been cutting wood for the Hammond mill.
Aug. 21, 1947
The 1947 edition of the Ozark County Fair starts Thursday on the Gainesville baseball diamond at the junctions of Hwy. 80 and E. Sponsored by the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce, the fair this year is scheduled to be one of the best ever held in the county. …
The McCowan Midway Shows started moving into location Sunday. The carnival is featuring many thrilling rides such as the ferris wheel, snap the whip, merry go round and others.
Aug. 25, 1949
At 3:45 p.m. Aug. 18, Dennis Wayne was born to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice “Buster” Morton of near Elijah. … He was the 100th baby Dr. and Mrs. Hoerman have delivered. …
The merchants of Gainesville plus several individuals made up a very generous jackpot of prizes for this lucky boy and his parents.
Aug. 14, 1969
Gainesville high school officials, in conjunction with the student council, worked out a set of regulations regarding appropriate school attire and grooming. . . .
Clothing appropriate for girls would include dresses, skirts and blouses or sweaters. Not approved would be slacks, jeans, shorts, sweatshirts, boys' shirts, blouses that are too large (unless tucked in) and extremely short or tight dresses or skirts. Girdles and tops of hose should not show. . . .
Clothing appropriate for boys would include slacks, jeans or dress pants with shirts or sweaters. Not approved would be going without socks, with shirts unbuttoned, shirttails out and wearing muscle shirts or sweatshirts, unless plain or have school writing. Sideburns should only reach at or above top of earlobes, and faces should be clean shaven. . . .
Any student not able to obey these standards will be dismissed from school and will not be able to re-enter until he or she can obey the rules set up by the school.