Thanks to our partner, the Bessemer City History and Art Society, four new volumes of the Bessemer City Record are now available on our website!
These editions, covering the period from 1990 to 1994, detail local news, including weddings, funerals, and various events. The 1993 newspaper included a special spread on Bessemer City’s Centennial celebrations. The small town turned 100 in March 1993, and the Bessemer City Record printed three “Limited Collector’s Editions” to commemorate the occasion.
These editions were released on March 3, 1993, in anticipation of the March 6th celebrations. The first edition contained some of the regular town news, such as obituary notices, advertisements for a thrift store sale, and fire safety information from the fire department. However, the edition also teases the upcoming Centennial celebration events, such as a time capsule dedication and a large ceremony at Square Park, complete with a 100-shot salute, cake, and contests.
The second edition highlights the historic buildings in Bessemer City and the people who founded them. The paper also delves into Bessemer City’s past, examining important moments like the smallpox outbreak and ghostly encounters. Splashed between the pages are advertisements from local businesses thanking B-City for 100 years of service.
The final edition of the Centennial celebration continues to report on Bessemer City’s landmark events. The paper reports on the weather conditions during the city’s charter, the great fire of 1918, and the founding of the first Black church, among other happenings. Advertisements from Bessemer City institutions are also woven throughout the edition.
Bessemer City was more than just a place to live; it was a home. These three special edition papers illustrate the small town’s strength and beauty, telling stories of resilience and growth.
To view all digitized issues of The Bessemer City Record, please click here.
To learn more about the Bessemer City History and Arts Society, view their contributor page linked here.
To browse more North Carolina newspapers, view our newspaper collection here.
