Look Back ... to a community venue on West 20th Street, 1999

June 25, 1949: The date fell on a Saturday during a 12-year period (1940-52) when The Star didn’t publish on that day of the week.

June 25, 1999, in The Star: The Calhoun County school board yesterday named Hershell Evans as principal of Pleasant Valley High School and Larry Skinner as principal of Saks High School, announcing the hirings at the end of a prolonged closed-door session to discuss personnel matters. Also this date: Mr. L. B. Lauderdale has invested more than $2 million into a sprawling red-and-white auditorium and community center on a 13-acre lot where 20th Street ends in west Anniston. Lauderdale, founder of a construction company bearing his name, began erecting the 65,000-square-foot building last June. In his mind, it’s part commercial venture and part community center. Area residents can pay a nominal yearly fee to use the walking tracks, or they can come see weekly entertainment acts appearing on a stage, or visit public conventions such as car shows in the massive auditorium. Lauderdale has yet to pave the four-acre parking lot, lay carpet in the 45,000-square-foot auditorium, and then put the finishing touches on the bar room, the cafe, stage and meeting rooms. The stage even boasts a hydraulic lift that will hoist performers up to audience level.