Peek at the past

Here’s what made the news in the Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, 1955 editions of the Mat-Su Frontiersman.

Valley recovering from windstorm

Residents of the Palmer area are repairing damages suffered earlier this week during a severe windstorm. Strong gusts that accompanied gale winds that did considerable damage in the Palmer area early this week were officially clocked between 35 and 60 miles an hour. In spite of the severe storm, the electricity in the valley was out for only very short periods of time. MEA took the opportunity to remind residents who have television antennas erected on or near their home that if the antenna blows down on an electric line, grave consequences could result, including an increased risk of a house fire.

Public invited to open house at new city hall

All residents of the city of Palmer and surrounding areas have been issued a cordial invitation by Mayor Charles Wilson to attend an open house at the city hall, located on Wasilla Road. The building, built last year to house the firefighting equipment, has been completed during the past few months and now also houses the offices of the City Clerk, the police department, and the Territorial Police headquarters for Palmer. In addition, there is a storage space for Civil Defense supplies and the U.S. Army Reserve. The basement quarters also house the city jail – two single-type cells have been completed and the famed “bull pen” is also ready for occupancy.

Hospital in line for $10,000 grant

“We have not heard directly from the Ford Foundation”, John Weisenberger, Valley Hospital Association president said. “But if what we have read in the papers is true, we are extremely grateful to the Foundation for the proposed grant to the Valley Presbyterian Hospital here in Palmer.” The stipulations of this grant state that the funds may not be used for operation expenses or services the hospital is currently performing. The money may be used for any improvement or extension of hospital services.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1955, you could:

Enjoy 2 pounds of apples for 39 cents;

Purchase a new Zenith TV with Flash-matic Tuning for $439;

Buy 1 pound of Swiss cheese for 59 cents;

Find a giant-size tub of Tide detergent for 85 cents.