Peek at the Past: A look back in Mat-Su history

As it appeared in the March 7, 1974 Frontiersman

Mediators on teacher dispute set

The Mat-Su Education Association and the borough school board have named a mediation board to resolve a negotiations impasse, reached here three weeks ago.

Road construction to new PHS hits snag

Potential bidders on a road to the new Palmer High School site located in the Bugge Hill area were told this afternoon to look for a delay of bid opening on the project.

The road must traverse four parcels of land which the borough has so far not been able to purchase.

Wes Howe, the borough manager, said he felt the original August 1975 completion date on Palmer and Wasilla high schools could still be met, if the assembly approves the condemnation resolution at its next meeting.

City vote set in Big Lake

Big Lake will have its chance at second-class city status. An incorporation election has been set for April 16, less than two months after the successful voting on a similar question in Wasilla.

Hopefully there weren't too many kids named Michael living in the Valley in 1974. A big ad in the newspaper simply read "Happy 15th birthday Michael." There were no other pictures or graphics.

At Hartley motors, you could buy a used 1973 Dodge 4x4 truck for $3,850 or a 1973 Maverick for $2,980. A 1972 Datsun cost $2,250.

At Koslosky's, you could buy a head of lettuce for 39 cents, green peppers for 59 cents a pound and three pounds of apples for a dollar.

Sliced bacon was $1.29 for a pound package, while Ground beef was listed at $1.15 per pound. In the liquor store, a fifth of Jim Beam was $5.99.