A lot has changed, a lot has not changed since 1946

Throwback Thursday goes downtown; 80 years ago

By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- This is a view of Downtown Lafollette in the summer of 1946 on this Throwback Thursday.

On the right side of the image, the clump of bushes and trees, is where the Masonic Temple building was built in the mid-1950s.

On down the street on the right is the Lafollette Grocery Company building, which burned in 1976 as the Goodyear Store. Later, the entire block became home to First National Bank, now Community Trust Bank.

On the left side, on the corner of West Central and Nevada Avenues, where the Riggs Drug Store sign is, will become the Ben Rogers Insurance Building.

The next building, on the left where a dark colored car is parked, is the Burnette Building that was under construction. Several years and businesses later, the Burnette Building will be the second home of Laxton’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant.

The banner is announcing the Horse Show at the Edwin Carr Farm July 3 and 4. Tennessee Governor Jim McCord opened the horse show. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/26/2026-6AM)