The Messenger

By Mike Goodson

Chasing History’s Mysteries: The legend of the Creature of the Coosa River

For the past 50 years I’ve been fascinated by stories of the paranormal. Today many popular radio and television shows deal with strange sightings and discoveries of giants, monsters and UFOs, many of which have been reported in the Etowah County area.
    While many of these instances have had beginnings as a hoax in a prankster’s mind, many others have

By Mike Goodson

A search for the best “Boomer Burger” in Etowah County

During the past several weeks, we’ve taken a nostalgic journey to the more popular Etowah County movie palaces. While these venues were never looked at as the grand theaters like Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre or Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, they were all no doubt special to the Baby Boomers growing up in Etowah County.

We’ll continue our journey into the not-so-distant

Mike Goodson

A tale of two downtown Gadsden movie theaters

 Into the early days of the 1960s, the local movie theaters were the place to go to get away from life for a while. These air-conditioned palaces with their snack bars and double features were the place to go on the hot dog days of summer and the cold nights of winter. 

Things would soon begin to change for

By Mike Goodson

A glance at area movie theaters in the golden years

 The date was August 14, 1945 and the news was beginning to spread throughout the entire Etowah County area that the Japanese had surrendered, bringing an end to World War II. 

For hundreds of Etowah County residents, the Japanese capitulation brought about an end to four years of fighting in Europe, North Africa and the South Pacific. 

Following the end

By Mike Goodson

Movie theaters were in area during WWII, Great DepressionMovie theaters were in area during WWII, Great Depression

The days of the Great Depression were hard for people living in the Gadsden and Etowah County area. Money was scarce, and there was little extra for entertaining.

Several great promoters in Etowah County, however, did find a way to keep the larger movie houses open and turn a small profit. 

The theaters that continued to grow during this