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Stories and pictures from the past of Carter County/Elizabethton in a book comprised by Charles Peters are now on sale around town. Over 260 pages of memories are re-lived in this timeless treasure. Some stories go back to the late 1800s when several of our local stores began and a few are still in operation today. Years past in Carter County, we had eight movie theaters, three bowling alleys, putt-putt courses, skating rinks and six swimming pools. When the depression was going on in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Elizabethton was striving.

The Tweetsie Train was shuttling workers from North Carolina and buses were running the county routes to the plants in Elizabethton. Tennessee Line and Twine, Empire Chair Factory, Bemberg and North American were a few of the plants working thousands of people. Department stores like Kress, Sterchi’s, Duncan Brothers and Elizabethton Hardware were in business. Elizabethton was the place to be. Carter County has several mills, furniture stores and new restaurants opening all over town. As you look through the book, you’ll say, “I remember that.” It’ll bring back a lot of memories of your time growing up in one of the best cities in Tennessee.

The books are on sale at Eagles, The Village and Nancy’s Restaurant in Valley Forge. Peters said, “Special thanks to the Elizabethton Star, Delaney Scalf, Rozella Hardin, and Joe Penza of the Elizabethton Library.” He also wanted to thank Lisa Germaine, Teresa Treadway, Rusty Melton and Lance Treadway of the Elizabethton Fire Department. Special thanks to Joyce Milan and Lisa Bunn for the inspiration for the book.