Peek at the Past

As it appeared in the March 18,1953, Frontiersman

New hospital contract to be signed today

Members of the Valley Hospital Association board of directors received a wire this morning from public health officials in San Francisco, notifying the board they have approved the signing of the contract for the new Valley Presbyterian Hospital.

Approval of the C.R. Foss Inc. bid had already been given by the Territorial Public Health Department, as well as the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church.

Only 55 dogs licensed

According to the figures from the city of Palmer, only 55 of Palmer's canine populace are legally roaming the streets.

Four robberies in three nights

City police, the Highway Patrol and the Marshal's office have combined efforts to solve a minor crime wave that hit Palmer early this week.

Sometime in the early hours of Sunday, the Palmer Drug Store was entered and $100 in cash was stolen from the fountain register, two Bulova watches, a wallet and cigarettes were also taken.

At the Co-Op, you could get a pound of hamburger for 73 cents and a bottle of ketchup for 24 cents. Shoes were on sale for $2.50 a pair at the same place.

In the classified section, you could get a 1951 Plymouth two-door sedan for $1,675 or a 1948 Chevrolet Suburban for $850.

You couldn't find a computer in the classified section, but you could get a Royal Portable Typewriter for $70.

"Dress up for Easter," proclaimed the ad for Koslosky's Department Store. You could buy men's suits, including two pairs of pants, for $59.50. Shirts with "new spring patterns" were marked down to $3.95 each. Men's dress shoes were listed for $7.50.

The Alaska Steamship Company had several advertised sailings for passenger and freight service throughout the month. They also were touting their new "unitized cargo," which consisted of good being put on pallets, so that forklifts could "provide faster handling."