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

As it appeared in the Nov. 15, 1973 Frontiersman

Two headquarters buildings, new lines coming for MEA

Two new headquarters buildings and service to about 1,400 new members is in line for Matanuska Electrical Association during the construction season. A total of $4.255 million in loans has been approved for the cooperative.

A loan will also cover the cost of seven miles of transmission lines.

Extensions past the Sunshine area on the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway are planned, and into the Petersville-Chulitna area. Easements are nearly all in hand for that project, and preliminary surveying has been done.

The new lines will go as far s the Chulitna highway maintenance camp on the new Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway.

Preliminary design for new Palmer High School gets nod

Last Tuesday, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly approved preliminary plans for the proposed Palmer High School, and confirmed the designation of architects for that project and the new Wasilla High School.

The two schools are to use the same basic plan, with Palmer having an added 300-student capacity.

Terrain differences will also dictate variations in layout between the two buildings.

Palmer High School will have a total of three distinct levels, while Wasilla will have two.

A unique feature for the schools is an indoor track, circling the gymnasium and elevated above the main gym floor.

Regional news carried the headlines "Struttin' in Sutton," "Weeping Willow News" and "Wa-Hi Smoke Signals," which was news about Wasilla High School athletics.

At the Center Theater in Palmer, the double feature was "Planet of the Apes" and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes."

Also at the theater was "Hello Dolly," starring Walter Matthau and Barbara Streisand.

In the classified section, you could buy a city lot for $3,300. "Barely used" 1973 pickup trucks for around $2,500.

Used vehicles from 1970 through 1973 were going for between $500 and $1,500.