What was happening in Chattanooga in 1962?
Saturday, February 17
The Volunteer State Life Insurance Co. building is undergoing major improvements and modernizations, President Cecil Woods announced Saturday. The cost of the total program will exceed $500,000.
The Atomic Energy Commission has awarded contracts totaling $1.2 million for thorium metal ingests to the Vitro Chemical Co. of Chattanooga and Davidson Chemical Co. of Erwin, Tenn. The Vitro Chemical is a division of Vitro Corporation of America.
Sunday, February 18
A national team from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes was guests of the local chapter Sunday and spoke in many churches, Sunday Schools and Youth Groups, according to Marion Gaston, chairman.
Monday, February 19
Approximately 275 professional Chattanooga engineers observed National Engineers Week with a kickoff luncheon Monday at Hotel Patten.
J.H. Haire, of the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., spoke on National Aeronautics and Space Administration programs and how they will affect the South’s economy. Lewis A. Schmidt is general chairman for National Engineers Week, being observed Feb. 18-24.
The University of Chattanooga has received a grant of $5,000 from the Coe Foundation of New York City, Dr. LeRoy A. Martin, UC’s president, announced Monday. This is the fifth consecutive year UC has received such a grant, which provides funds for an American Studies Institute to be held June 7-July 17 and directed by Dr. James W. Livingood, dean of the College of Arts and Science.
Tuesday, February 20
Miss Chattanooga of 1962 will be chosen at a pageant at Chattanooga High School Auditorium on April 19, Herb McCartney, chairman of the Junior Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event, announced Tuesday. Eighteen contestants have already entered the preliminary round of judging from which the 12 finalists will be chosen on March 20.
Wednesday, February 21
Black-on-white 1962 automobile license plates made out of aluminum will be put on sale by the office of County Court Clerk David M. Ramsey March 1, and a new system will go into effect under which auto owners will keep the same tags for a minimum of two years. In 1963, the motorist will be issued small metal tabs that will fit over the year 1962.
Thursday, February 22
A total of 793,540 visitors registered at TVA steam plants and dams including 14,933 at Chickamauga Dam, during 1961, the authority reported in its weekly newsletter.
Friday, February 23
A Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Committee will study the possibility of increasing the speed of long-freight trains at downtown grade crossings to prevent the delay and congestion to vehicular traffic.
Warning to taxpayers: After March 1, 1962, unpaid taxes bear interest in addition a penalty of one-half of one percent a month. Taxes may be paid until April 1, when lists will be delivered to officers for collection at the cost of the taxpayers.