Lafollette was a busy place in the 1930s

By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – This is a look at downtown Lafollette in the 1930s. A lot sure has changed since this photograph was taken.

Not any of the buildings are still standing nor are the old wooden telephone poles. Of course, the wooden Southern Railroad trestle at the far right side of the picture is gone.

Back in the day there would have been eight ground floor shops in this picture of town. Back then, there were a lot of businesses on the second floor like attorneys, beauty shops, dentists, eye doctors, undertakers and more.

Many of the buildings had apartments for rent, and the Russell Hotel had two floors above the two retail business spaces on the ground floor. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/03/2023-6AM)