Atoka General Store

Atoka General Store Atoka General Store, c. 1928, was located in the original business district of Atoka, Tennessee. It is no longer there due to various reasons. Thank you!
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MISSION STATEMENT

Exploring Our Legacy: Our mission is to honor the legacy of our community's past, enrich our present, and build a hopeful future. We are the stewards of our history, participants in our shared story, and builders of the days to come. Together, we journey, cherishing our heritage and fostering a bright future for all community members. (Written with the help of Bing Chat with GPT

-4 AI ~Artificial Intelligence~ on December 6, 2023)

The purpose of this page is to provide historical information and research. ATOKA GENERAL STORE

Atoka General Store was once located close to the center of Atoka, which is located in West Tennessee. The picture on the cover was taken somewhere between 1980 and 1992. Andy's Atoka General Store was the last business to operate out of this community landmark. Before that, there was Atoka General Store (Mr. & Mrs. Doug Walker), Mize's Grocery (Houston Mize), and CJ Walker & Sons (Charlie Jasper Walker, Charles Lewis Walker, Douglas Lee Walker). There may have been more. Anyone wishing to add to this information may send a message to this page. After a tornado struck downtown Atoka, Tennessee, in 1928, this was one of the businesses rebuilt in the original business area of Atoka. The owners of the store were relatives of the first business owner in Atoka, Tennessee, according to an advertisement posted in a Covington Leader advertisement, on October 15, 1936. I believe the first business owner's name was John McLaughlin. ATOKA, TENNESSEE, HISTORY

We don't claim to know all the history of Atoka. But there is a lot of history in this town/city. Many people who no longer live here have ties to this community. Atoka has also long been a welcoming community to people from many different backgrounds. We would love to discover events and figures that shaped the local history of our town/city. We want to explore how the geography of our community influenced its development over time and the crucial role that industries and businesses have played. Help us journey through time and learn about the landmarks or buildings no longer standing. Explore the backgrounds of people who have called this place home. Please let us know the origins of your information as well as who should be credited with supplying; writing; photographing; and/or creating artwork, music, and/or crafts. Written by Stephanie Bohrman



Note: This page has no intention of violating Facebook Community Standards. If it appears that we have, we would appreciate being contacted by FaceBook before Facebook takes enforcement action. The perceived violation may be nothing more than a misunderstanding. If that is the case, we would like the opportunity to give our side of the story.

Interesting video about the formation of the states in the western part of the United States.https://youtu.be/OveHFHBCF5...
10/06/2024

Interesting video about the formation of the states in the western part of the United States.

https://youtu.be/OveHFHBCF5U

www.newmexicopbs.org - From the earliest colonial visions to detailed modern maps, it is fascinating to see how New Mexico has evolved through the centuries....

So the longshoremen got their increase. No guarantee against automation though, it looks like. Owners are now weighing t...
10/04/2024

So the longshoremen got their increase. No guarantee against automation though, it looks like. Owners are now weighing the price of pay increases against the cost of automation. …And the longshoremen lost the support of the people with their timing (Helene).

When they price themselves out of a job the alternative pay is 0.

It took only three days for one side to blink and the potentially crippling strike at the United States’ East and Gulf Coast ports to come to an end, with likely only limited damage to America’s economy.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gpfg9DUMsFt4ANHj/
10/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gpfg9DUMsFt4ANHj/

🚨 We're Hiring! 🚨

The Atoka Fire Department is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team! Think you have what it takes to serve and protect your community? 🔥👩‍🚒👨‍🚒

Head to our website for the full list of requirements and to submit your application. Don't miss out—this hiring period is open until October 18 at 4 PM!

🔥 Your future starts here: https://townofatoka.com/how_do_i/apply_for/job_opportunities.php



SCAM ALERTI know more than one “Phillip Bohrman”. The email address attached to this one belongs to none of the ones I k...
10/04/2024

SCAM ALERT

I know more than one “Phillip Bohrman”. The email address attached to this one belongs to none of the ones I know.

I can check the email address before opening the email on my laptop, but not on my iPhone.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH!!!!

Stephanie Bohrman

As always, the National Guard is on it…you know, the people the federal government makes sleep on the ground and steals ...
10/04/2024

As always, the National Guard is on it…you know, the people the federal government makes sleep on the ground and steals their bonus money from...

Florida Governor DeSantis doing what needs to be done!Using a life-and-death situation to flex for a pay raise is the mo...
10/04/2024

Florida Governor DeSantis doing what needs to be done!

Using a life-and-death situation to flex for a pay raise is the most disgraceful thing I think I have ever seen.

https://www.facebook.com/share/7CCPmQGzNxunyc8F/

With 16 deepwater ports, Florida is a hub for worldwide trade and an essential link in our nation’s supply chain. Four of these ports—Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and JAXPORT—are impacted by the International Longshoreman’s Association strike and the inaction of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Disrupting the distribution of food, equipment, and supplies as the Southeast U.S. recovers from Hurricane Helene is unacceptable. Floridians need a reliable, steady supply of resources and building materials to keep their families fed and rebuild their homes and businesses. Therefore, at my direction:

✅The Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard will be deployed to ports affected by the strike to maintain order and, where possible, resume operations at ports which are otherwise shut down.
✅The Florida Department of Transportation will waive the collection of tolls and fees as well as size and weight restrictions for commercial vehicles, which will help expedite the transportation of goods from our ports while offsetting operational costs.
✅The Florida Highway Patrol will manage the flow of traffic from all Florida seaports as needed to further expedite the flow of goods held up by the strike. FHP will provide law enforcement escorts for commercial motor vehicles upon request.

Unlike the federal government, Florida is taking decisive action to ensure that our economy continues to function and that victims of Hurricane Helene will have access to what they need to rebuild.

10/01/2024

RIP Ranger.

09/30/2024
When he said gone, that’s exactly what he meant. This photo is in the comments of the previous post.
09/27/2024

When he said gone, that’s exactly what he meant. This photo is in the comments of the previous post.

I-40 from Tennessee into North Carolina closed
09/27/2024

I-40 from Tennessee into North Carolina closed

If you're planning to drive I-40 from TN into NC...think again. Part of the interstate is gone close to the state lines. 😳

09/27/2024

Effects of Hellene already being felt far ahead of the main storm in North Carolina. This is Mars Hill, NC where flooding and saturated ground from recent previous flooding are creating a dangerous situation.

Sent in by NC United Cajun Navy chapter. Photo credit to Bailey's NAPA Auto Parts.

UCN working in multiple in multiple states throughout this storm.

09/27/2024

Looking for information about the status of the Covington Heritage Festival. It’s supposed to be going on now, but I can’t find any information about whether it has been affected by the weather or not.
TIA

09/26/2024

HISTORY ON THE TRACKS

Let’s talk about the railroad that is the main reason the municipality of Atoka, Tennessee, exists today. The railroad brought many benefits to Atoka - mail service, a thriving downtown near the tracks, transportation between small towns, and later industrial development along the tracks. Slowly each one of these benefits disappeared. But the costs of having these extra benefits were sometimes harsh.

What did the people of Atoka give up because of these benefits? I can only tell you about my own family’s losses and experiences.

My paternal grandmother was born into a family which had five children. One female child died at approximately 9 months old. When my grandmother was between 10 and 11 years old she lost a brother from an accident on the railroad tracks. He was hit by a train. As I understand, he did not die immediately but died several days later from his injuries. He was 16 years old.

My father and other men, some I know were from Atoka, operated the cotton gin in Atoka. It was located right on the railroad tracks. Mike Ayers now operates a lawn mower repair shop at that location.

When the cotton gin was there in 1959, my father Doug Walker caught his right hand in the gin saws. Earl Billings grabbed his arm and hid his hand so Dad could not see the damage. Doctors rebuilt his hand, but his fingers would remain in a bent position the rest of his life. One odd outcome of this incident was that we never went bowling when I was growing up.

So the cotton gin was located right next to the railroad tracks. A lady, whose name I have unfortunately forgotten (if you know please refresh my memory), lived in the house now located next to Coats of Color (Brian Numera's business) on Munford-Atoka Avenue. The lady walked across the railroad tracks on Forbess Drive to visit a friend. At that time there were two rails of tracks. She did not make it back home that day. My Dad was among the men who searched the tracks after the accident.

These are just a few of the stories that have long tugged on heartstrings of the citizens of Atoka. They are part of our history that we sometimes share only reluctantly. But they are a history that often identifies those who have lived here for quite some time.

~ Stephanie Bohrman

Update: see comments for more information, updates, or corrections.

Happy Constitution Day!
09/17/2024

Happy Constitution Day!

On this day in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. Perhaps you’ve heard what Benjamin Franklin did immediately afterwards?He’d been spotted by a Philadelphia matron as he emerged from that meeting. She was curious. What had delegates been doing behind closed...

09/16/2024

On 09/16/24 at 12:30 p.m., The Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County began a Secure Lockdown in Covington. If you are not on campus, please do not enter at this time. We will post more information as it becomes available.

The business card from Andy's Atoka General Store. Thank you, Chris - from April 2, 2019
06/20/2019

The business card from Andy's Atoka General Store. Thank you, Chris - from April 2, 2019

I found this while sorting through some stuff yesterday (4/1/19)

06/23/2018

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Atoka, TN

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Boy Scout Hut in Atoka - check this out! Donations accepted!!

Jack & The Flat Man
Jack & The Flat Man

Playing at Nancy Lane Park, Atoka, Tennessee

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Our Story

Andy's Atoka General Store was the last business to operate out of this community landmark. Before that, there was Atoka General Store, Mize's Grocery, and CJ Walker & Sons. There may have been another. After a tornado struck downtown Atoka, Tennessee in 1928, this was one of the businesses that rebuilt in the area. The owners of the store are relatives of the first business owner in the Town of Atoka - John McLaughlin, b. 1818, d. 1903.

In 2017, the building was torn down, but the spirit of the store continues.

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