The Way We Were

March 16, 1922

So rapid has been the growth of the city library, established only a few months ago, that additional bookshelves were requested by the Library Board at the March meeting of the Civic Improvement Club. A box of fine reference books was received recently from the Washington State Library and new books are being purchased by the club each month. The last to be ordered are “The Empty Sack,” by Basil King, and “The Profiteers,” by Oppenheim. During January, seven new cards, 36 magazines and 15 books were issued. The receipts were $11.80, including a donation of $1 by Mrs. G. E. Diemart. In February, four new cards, 21 magazines and 199 books were issued. The receipts were $9.25. The library fund will be increased by the proceeds of the St. Patrick’s Day card party and dance tomorrow night, for which extensive preparations are being made.

March 14, 1947

Wrangell Natives, 165 strong, have formed a membership of the Wrangell Cooperative Association, through which they may apply for government aid in business. Similar units have been formed in Kake, Hydaburg, Craig, Sitka, Hoonah and Douglas. Wrangell was first to apply for a charter. Under the law, individual Natives may apply for loans with which to buy boats or establish themselves in small businesses. At a meeting this week officers were elected. Herbert Bradley is president; William Willard, vice president; Walter Rudolph, secretary; and Marcus Daily is treasurer. Councilmen are Mike Lynch Jr., P. M. Casey and Louis Wigg. Albert Rinehart was elected sergeant-at-arms.

March 17, 1972

A well has been sunk and materials and equipment ordered for a 22-space mobile home park scheduled to be open by July on the old airport road, according to developer Dick Stough. The park, Stough said, will feature 45-by-80-foot gravel-surfaced lots and underground utilities, including electricity, telephone, television and oil. The development will have a sewage disposal plant, mercury vapor lighting, a playground area, off-street car parking and a 3,200-square-foot metal utility building. The building will be erected at the rear of the park, Stough said, and will be used to house tenants’ belongings, including boats. The building site is about half a mile from the ferry terminal out the old airport road. The estimated cost of the development was not disclosed. Plans also call for the sale of at least two brands of mobile homes at the park.

March 13, 1997

Progress with plans for water filtration improvements were considered closely after Mayor Roberts strongly urged the city council to hire another engineering company to look over the Wilson Engineering plans. Roberts said he wanted assurances that the water project is not being over-designed. It was the consensus of the council to get a second opinion. The council also considered the installation of water meters, but members felt that the first concern at this time should be the filtration improvements and extending water to more residents. Andrea Tavares spoke against the meters proposal, criticizing the cost of installing and maintaining the meters.