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By Joe Penza, City Archivist

Amazing events have occurred throughout the history of Elizabethton and Carter County. In this monthly column, we look at some celebrated episodes from our past but also dig up some lesser-known events that might surprise you. This month, we explore the one year with the most eventful March on record—and 1980 takes the cake!

All of this history awaits you at the Archives of the City of Elizabethton at the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library. If you’re interested in anything related to local history, please contact the archives at 423-547-6360 or at jpenza@cityofelizabethton.org. We can discover something new about our past together!

MARCH:

Sunday, March 16, 1980: Elizabethton’s Franklin Club is destroyed by a catastrophic fire after operating for more than 52 years. Along with it, the city loses Raymond’s, a truly beloved restaurant here in town.

Wednesday, March 19, 1980: Randy Campbell receives an 11-1 hung jury mistrial verdict over the brutal stabbing death of Joey Hatchett. Campbell later pleads guilty to manslaughter in the case in which he stabbed Hatchett 12 times.

Monday, March 31, 1980: Elizabethton police, along with the FBI, discover a break-in and vault robbery occurred over the weekend at Security Federal Savings and Loan on Hudson Drive.