Note: The following is one of a series of columns looking at places and events of interest in Bulloch County history.
On July 17, 1958, the Bulloch Herald reported on the first-ever “Eat-A-Rama” ever to be held in Statesboro, which would spotlight the love of hot dogs during the month of July. Robbins Packing Company and the Statesboro Recreation Department sponsored a celebration of the official National Hot Dog Month.
All boys and girls aged 8-12 who lived in Statesboro were invited to come to the Pavilion at the Memorial Swim Center in Statesboro to participate in a hot dog eating competition.
The contestants and those watching would see who could eat the most “Lanky Franks” in a 15-minute period. The competitions were set up to separate the boys and girls by sex and age groups. The top prize was an overnight at the Savannah Beach, all expenses paid, with them being driven there in a brand-new Chevy station wagon.
The New Solms Hotel Motel hosted the groups, with trips for boys and girls made on separate days on Saturdays in August. The kids also stopped in Savannah on the way back for a movie.
During the competition, some 40 pounds of Robbins hot dogs were consumed, with winners being David Raith, Jacob Haimovitz, Dan Nessmith, James Hagan and Remer Burnsed.
Hitler's Mercedes stops by Statesboro
On April 12, 1951, it was announced in the Bulloch Herald that a very special vehicle would be on display for one day only in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse: Hitler's custom-built 1942/3 Mercedes 770-K touring sedan, the most expensive vehicle Mercedes had ever built at that time.
This 5-ton vehicle had a top speed of 102 miles per hour. It also had a 70-gallon gas tank, which was essential, as the vehicle only got 3 miles per gallon. Its windows were a specially-constructed 1 1/- inch thick "bullet-proof" glass, and its body had 1/2-inch thick steel plates built into its entire frame.
According to E.L. Claxton, post commander of Bulloch County's Dexter Allen American Legion Post 90, the car would be available for public inspection on April 16 and would be located directly in front of the Sea Island Bank Building.
Claxton said three wax dummies would be sitting inside the vehicle, depicting the persons of Adolf Hitler, Herman Goering and Hitler's driver, who were the three persons that usually traveled in the vehicle.
Hitler's limo was captured by the Free French Forces on May 7, 1945. It even bore the scars of war: there were bullet marks on the front left window from an apparent attempted ambush.
According to the Herald, admission was free, although donations were gladly accepted.
Roger Allen is a local lover of history. Allen provides a brief look each week at the area's past. E-mail Roger at rwasr1953@gmail.com.