This Week in History: 1962

Headlines of The Greenville Advocate from this week in 1962, captured significant community events and milestones in and around the area. Highlights include the dominance of the poultry industry in Butler County and the opening of Northridge Apartments.

Broiler-fryer dominates Butler County agriculture : The broiler-fryer industry emerged as Butler County’s greatest agricultural asset in 1962, ranking number one in the county’s agricultural economy and mirroring its prominence in the state. Butler County was unique in South Alabama for having poultry as its top agricultural industry. The county boasted 63 broiler producers with facilities capable of housing 865,000 broilers, leading to an annual production of 4,000,000 broilers. Additionally, there were 11 producers managing 19,000 commercial layers, and local farms housed another 7,000 hens. During the previous year, the poultry industry brought in $1.7 million, surpassing the $1.4 million generated by beef cattle and $1 million by hog farming. Cotton, once the leading crop, ranked fourth, with the 1961 crop bringing in $750,000. The combined value of fruits, nuts, and vegetables was $350,000, while peanuts and dairying contributed $180,000 and $150,000, respectively. Tobacco, though limited to 271 acres, provided $271,000 in revenue.

Cutting the ribbon to open Northridge Apartments : During a brief ceremony, Mayor Fred Steele cut the ribbon to formally open Northridge Apartments. He was joined by William A. Fox, executive director, Mrs. Steele and Curtis Miller, chairman of the Greenville Housing Authority. The modern apartments, featuring units from one to five bedrooms with complete heating, modern kitchens and tiled baths, saw several families moving in, with full occupancy anticipated soon. Northridge had 90 units, while Southview, opened on June 1, 1962, had 50 units with several occupants already.

Butler County’s first female pilot : Mrs. Jeff P. Beeland, Jr., became Butler County’s first female pilot, logging her 100th hour in the air this week in 1962. Pictured with her family airplane, Mr. Beeland and her instructor Mack Crenshaw, Mrs. Beeland was one of about 20 women in Alabama to hold a private pilot’s license.

Greenville’s nomination for largest Water Oak tree : Greenville was home to a massive Water Oak tree located on the lawn of the Patterson home on Parmer Street. The tree, which spanned both the Patterson and Archer homes, was believed to be the largest Water Oak in the region. While larger live oaks existed along the Gulf Coast, locals hoped this Water Oak might someday set a record. Additionally, a sassafras tree on the Rufus Poole plantation near Greenville held the title of the largest of its kind in Alabama, and possibly in the nation.

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