75 years ago
January 9, 1945
A few piles of old boards, broken bricks and rubbish today were all that remained to mark one of the gayest and most romantic eras in Aberdeen’s history.
The old Firemen’s recreational hall at the northwest corner of H and State streets, built in 1899 has fallen before the wreckers’ hammers, in accordance with a city program to raze outworn structures.
Its razing has revived in pioneers countless golden memories of when the Firemen’s hall, resplendent it its youth, was the center of young Aberdeen’s social activities.
On its shining dance floor were staged many of the annual balls and gala parties of the early part of the century. Its halls echoed to dreamy Strauss waltzes, spritely two-steps and sometimes a polka or a square dance, old timers recall.
Beautiful women, beautiful gowns, and ladies’ fans; dimmed lights and dreamy music … of whispers and sighs, music and laughter and sometimes moonlight shining on the Chehalis river only a block away.
January 10, 1945
Mayor Walter T. Foelkner today announced appointment of a committee to represent Grays Harbor in negotiations with federal agencies for a day nursery for children of working mothers, and on manpower problems in Harbor war plants.
50 years ago
January 9, 1970
Fred Potts Real Estate: “Let us show you this nicely remodeled 3 bedroom home in Montesano. Located near schools, it has a large carpeted and richly paneled living room, family-sized kitchen, separate utility, half bath down and full bath with 3 bedrooms up, double carport and separate workshop. FHA terms are available on this fine home, priced at a low $11,900.”
January 10, 1970
Saturday, no newspaper published
25 years ago
January 9, 1995
There were already too many numbers clogging your memory, then along comes Ma Bell with three more.
Starting Jan. 15, long-distance calls to everywhere in Western Washington, except the immediate Seattle-Tacoma-Everett areas will require a new area code — 360.
The area code change, announced last year, is being made to keep up with increased demand for new phone lines.
The Puget Sound area was left with the same area code (206) because it includes two-thirds of western Washington’s phone customers, said Harry Granstrom, public affairs representative for U.S. West Communications of Seattle.
January 10, 1995
• There will be a new city administrator and one less department head at Hoquiam City Hall next week.
Greg Wilder, who has been the city’s community development director for four months, will assume the position of city administrator while keeping up many of his current duties. His position will not be filled.
Wilder, 51, replaces Pete Wall, who has accepted a job as operations director at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
• After missing five shots in the first quarter, Aberdeen forward Alison Herling scored eight consecutive points in the second quarter to give the Bobcats a lead that they held throughout the rest of the game.
Herling’s string of baskets were part of a 14-3 run that helped Aberdeen past the Olympia Bears, 63-51, in a Black Hills League girls’ basketball game Monday night at Sam Benn Gym.
Behind Herling’s 21 points, Melissa Failor scored 11 points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
