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Februaries past, 100 years ago.

From The LaGrange Reporter, 1913.

Front Page News:

LaGrange Citizens Hustle as Town Begins to Boom — That a building and business boom is about to hit LaGrange now seems inevitable, and the activity in all circles denotes a general recognition of the fact and a desire on the part of all classes to be ready for the anticipated conditions.

With business announcements this week (Friday, Feb. 21) it is practically certain that 1913 will be a record-breaker in the history of the town.

The man who does business in LaGrange during the next 24 months must be on the firing line, make quick decisions, and keep constantly in his mind that he is in the midst of a community, and a citizen of a town which is proving its claim to be “the fastest growing city in Georgia.”

Chamber of Commerce Leases New Quarters — An important deal was consummated Tuesday afternoon when Secretary Clarke leased for two years the entire front of the new Pharr-Childs Building on Main Street for the offices of the Chamber of Commerce. Possession will be given the Chamber on March 1.

As soon as its new and larger quarters are occupied, the Chamber of Commerce plans to open a real estate and employment department in addition to their present work.

Callaway and Kress Stores Will Open About March 15 — With the announcement that the new Callaway’s store and the Kress syndicate will open for business within a little over two weeks, local interest is naturally keen in the plans for these epochal events in LaGrange merchandising circles.

The new Callaway’s store will be a marvel of beauty and completeness. Rising four stories from its commanding location at the corner of Main and Broome Streets, it is considered the handsomest building in LaGrange.

The fact that the great Kress syndicate has provided so handsomely for its entry into the LaGrange field is equally important for its operations are usually confined to the larger cities of the South, and it never goes to a “dead one.”

More about these opening in future days.

More New Buildings to be on Main Street — At least two, and probably more, big new buildings on Main Street are assured by big-figure real estate deals that were closed with the past week.

Messrs C.N. Pike, J.H. Edmondson and Goldstein Brothers were the purchasers of a total of 180 feet by 120 feet deep of Main Street frontage from the Broome property situated on the west side of Main Street.

Messrs Pike and Edmondson will each erect handsome buildings, probably under a party wall agreement. Mr. Edmondson’s purchase was for the Edmondson-Christopher Company, the well-known dry goods firm of which he is founder and principal owner. The Messrs Goldstein have not announced their plans as yet.

Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Harwell Presented Purse of Gold — While quietly celebrating their 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Harwell were happily surprised by a touching demonstration of the love and esteem of their friends, when a few came by and presented them with a purse containing $100 in gold.

The presentation was made by Hon. E. R. Bradfield, who briefly touched on the honorable and useful lives of this noble couple.

Mr. Harwell served as Mayor of LaGrange for several terms, finally declining re-election. The city’s greatest debt of gratitude to him is for the beautiful elm trees that line its streets. He set out 500 of them at one time and maintained the policy of liberal planting each winter while he was in office. It is to him that LaGrange owes the appropriate cognomen of “The City of Elms and Roses.”

Paving Contract Let Tuesday — The contract for the paving of Broome Street sidewalks from Main Street to Morgan Street was let by the City Council last Tuesday to Mr. Haliburton, well-known LaGrange contractor. Cost, according to Mayor Edmundson, will be about $300.

This paving will add to the beauty that has already been enhanced by the commercial development of that part of the city.

Chautauqua Assured for LaGrange — That LaGrange will have a Chautauqua this year is assured. It will be conducted by the Alkahest Lyceum System of Atlanta.

The Chautauqua will be made possible with the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce and the management of Alkahest. Plans and details are now being worked out and will be announced in due time.

Only Dignified Dances — Of some interest to local dancers is the news that the Turkey Trot, Bunny Hug, Grizzly Bear, Chicken Flip and any and all of the so-called, new-fashions dances have been strictly barred from all entertainments given by members of the Young Men’s Nine O’clock Dancing Club of Thomasville, Ga.

While there has been no indulgence in these dances to any great extent, the members there want them to be ruled out entirely. In future any guest who cannot be content with the regulation two-step, waltz, etc. will be dropped from the invitation list.

Julia Dyar, a retired journalist, is active in the Troup County Historical Society.