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

As it appeared in the July 7, 1960 edition of the Frontiersman:

Valley coal firms

to supply military

Valley coal producers are among those with whom the U.S. Navy Fuel Supply Office in Washington, D.C., have contracted for coal for Alaska military bases. Mrak Coal Company will supply 50,000 tons to Fort Richardson and 40,000 tons to Elmendorf Air Force Base. The Evan-Jones Coal Company will supply 78,000 tons to Fort Richardson and 50,000 tons to Elmendorf. The Castle Mountain firm will supply Elmendorf with 10,000 tons. Other coal companies to supply coal include Usibelli, 151,000 tons, Cripple Creek, 50,000 tons and Suntrana, 85,000 tons.

Fort Richardson man

wins Big Lake swim

The cold waters of Big Lake failed to stop marathon swimmers who entered the annual Fourth of July six-mile swim from Big Lake to Call-of-the-Wild lodge. Winner was Lewis McFadden of Fort Richardson, who made the swim in two hours, 16 minutes.

Following McFadden half an hour later was Julius Jojak, also of Fort Richardson; Chuck Onyan, Elmendorf, three hours, 38 minutes; George Ganster, Fort Richardson, three hours, 51 minutes; and Troy Troyer, five hours, 35 minutes. Frank Allen and Bill Gordon were forced out of the race after an hour because of the 55-degree water.

New sign for fair

Work will begin shortly on a new entrance sign for the Alaska State Fair fairgrounds in Palmer. At a meeting held last night, the cooperation's board of directors approved a design for an attractive entrance sign to be built and erected by the Anchorage Sign Company of Chugiak. Large letters, discernible for a great distance, will proclaim the location of the fairgrounds. Stars and other attractive decorations are included in the modern design.

Movie buffs had a list of summer attractions from which to choose at Palmer's New Center Theater. Kirk Douglas played in "Paths of Glory," Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh starred in "The Perfect Furlough" and Sterling Hayden and Vera Ralsten were the leading actors in "Timberjack," and the Saturday movie featured Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in "Ma and Pa Kettle at Home."