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125 years later, White Lily plant closes
Submitted by bizgrrl on Sat, 2008/03/01 - 7:31am.
Wow!
Smucker, the current owner of White Lily, has decided to close the White Lily plant in downtown Knoxville. Production will move to another facility. Let's hope it is in the U.S.
125 years! Are there any other businesses in Knoxville that have been around that long? Apparently, Mayo's has been around for nearly 130 years. Anything else?
Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Sat, 2008/03/01 - 8:33am.
How sad.
In helping my Girl Scout troop research the history of our Powell schools some years back, I discovered that "White Lilly" was Lilly Powell, daughter of Columbus Powell, for whom our community is named. It wasn't Columbus Powell to have started White Lilly, though--it was J. Allen Smith, Lilly's husband. Anyway, the Powell family homestead, which dates to the 1860's, still stands (occupied) adjacent to the high school on Emory Road.
The business to have launched Columbus Powell's fortune is also recently defunct. He brought the railroad out this way to support his brickyard, which operated until very recently as General Shale.
Submitted by tennesseevalues... on Sat, 2008/03/01 - 10:47am.
Gouffon's Moving has been in business in Knoxville since 1887 (121 years).
Rodgers Cadillac is a family business dating back to 1899 (109 years).
While White Lily is going away, there are still some old mill companies in the area. Up in Washington County, the St. John's Milling Co. recently celebrated their 230th anniversary. They are considered the oldest running business in Tennessee. Down in Loudon County, the Pond Creek Milling Co. has been in the business of making flour, cornmeal, and feeds since 1822 (186 years).
Submitted by knoxvegas99 on Sat, 2008/03/01 - 12:44pm.
My late grandfather worked at the White Lily plant for decades before he was injured on the job and forced to retire in the mid-60s. Depot won't look the same without the plant.
(BTW, you'd need to confirm this with Sandra, but I think the Shopper-News has been around for about 125 years.) :-)
Are you trying to call us old, Larry? Actually, the Shopper has been around a bit more than 40 years. Still a good, long haul for a community newspaper. Must say something about the leadership and our base community.
Submitted by knoxvegas99 on Sat, 2008/03/01 - 10:53pm.
With the exception of the glorious youth that you and a handful of others bring to our little operation, we are a bunch of crotchety old curmudgeons. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) ;-)
Submitted by Opinari on Sun, 2008/03/02 - 11:26pm.
My wife bakes just about everything with White Lily. Heck, we have it shipped to us in Texas on occasion. I fondly remember White Lily throughout my childhood, and it's sad that it's moving from Knoxville. I just hope they continue to make the product as it has always been made, and don't pull some stunt like changing the makeup of the product, a la New Coke.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2008/04/07 - 10:53am.
THE CLOSING OF THE KNOXVILLE IS THE END OF AN ERA!!
If you want to relive your memories, you can see the wonnnnderful WHITE LILY SCARECROW COMMERCIALS from the late 1980's by going to YOUTUBE.COM and type in WHITE LILY SCARECROW. Those commercials ran for years......
How sad.
In helping my Girl Scout troop research the history of our Powell schools some years back, I discovered that "White Lilly" was Lilly Powell, daughter of Columbus Powell, for whom our community is named. It wasn't Columbus Powell to have started White Lilly, though--it was J. Allen Smith, Lilly's husband. Anyway, the Powell family homestead, which dates to the 1860's, still stands (occupied) adjacent to the high school on Emory Road.
The business to have launched Columbus Powell's fortune is also recently defunct. He brought the railroad out this way to support his brickyard, which operated until very recently as General Shale.
Gouffon's Moving has been in business in Knoxville since 1887 (121 years).
Rodgers Cadillac is a family business dating back to 1899 (109 years).
While White Lily is going away, there are still some old mill companies in the area. Up in Washington County, the St. John's Milling Co. recently celebrated their 230th anniversary. They are considered the oldest running business in Tennessee. Down in Loudon County, the Pond Creek Milling Co. has been in the business of making flour, cornmeal, and feeds since 1822 (186 years).
Gouffon's Moving
"Through all panics since the Civil War!"
The nursery off Cherry Street was in operation from the late 18th Century. I think it's closed now too.
True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler
It is now the Arboretum.
Oh, I didn't know that. Cool. Must see it here in a month when I come back.
True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler
My late grandfather worked at the White Lily plant for decades before he was injured on the job and forced to retire in the mid-60s. Depot won't look the same without the plant.
(BTW, you'd need to confirm this with Sandra, but I think the Shopper-News has been around for about 125 years.) :-)
Larry Van Guilder
Are you trying to call us old, Larry? Actually, the Shopper has been around a bit more than 40 years. Still a good, long haul for a community newspaper. Must say something about the leadership and our base community.
JFG Coffee since 1882.
With the exception of the glorious youth that you and a handful of others bring to our little operation, we are a bunch of crotchety old curmudgeons. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) ;-)
Larry Van Guilder
My wife bakes just about everything with White Lily. Heck, we have it shipped to us in Texas on occasion. I fondly remember White Lily throughout my childhood, and it's sad that it's moving from Knoxville. I just hope they continue to make the product as it has always been made, and don't pull some stunt like changing the makeup of the product, a la New Coke.
THE CLOSING OF THE KNOXVILLE IS THE END OF AN ERA!!
If you want to relive your memories, you can see the wonnnnderful WHITE LILY SCARECROW COMMERCIALS from the late 1980's by going to YOUTUBE.COM and type in WHITE LILY SCARECROW. Those commercials ran for years......
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