Thomas E. La Guardia Jr., a board member of Cut Rate Grocery (1934-1945) which was owned by Thomas E. La Guardia Sr., made an impact on his customers, employees and within the community. He later became President of Giant Food Markets from 1945-1984 and was also the founder of Jiffy Markets convenience stores (1956-1984). Not only did Thomas E. La Guardia Jr. make an impact on business in … [Read more...]
1944 – J. Fred Johnson dies
1943 – Santa Train
Santa Train begins. … [Read more...]
1933 – Tornado
A tornado strikes in March. Red Cross develops first Community Disaster Plan and TVA electricity and flood control plans put in place. … [Read more...]
1927 – Kingsport Foundry
Kingsport Foundry opened. … [Read more...]
1925 – Borden Mills and Kingsport Utilities
Borden Mills Plant and Kingsport Utilities started. … [Read more...]
1920 – Tennessee Eastman Founded
Eastman Kodak founder, George Eastman, was in search of an area with suitable quantities of methanol and acetone. He set his sights on Kingsport, Tennessee, and it's forests. … [Read more...]
1918 – Hagan Hammond dies in WWI
First Sullivan County/Kingsport soldier to die in World War I. A street, a bridge and an American Legion Post were all named after him. … [Read more...]
1917 – Local Kingsport Red Cross Chapter
Local Kingsport Red Cross Chapter is chartered during WWI with J. Fred Johnson serving as First Chairman (American Red Cross founded in 1881). Photo: American Red Cross of Northeast Tennessee … [Read more...]
1914 – J. Fred Johnson
J. Fred Johnson sells 1200 acres of land that is now Bays Mountain Park to Kingsport Waterworks Corporation for construction of the dam to be used for the city’s population. This dam created a 44-acre lake and served the city until 1944. … [Read more...]