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

As it appeared in the May 8, 1952 Frontiersman

Valley to get $377,000 in military produce contracts

Announced this week of low bidders on military produce contracts for Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base, and Whittier revealed that Valley farmers have an almost certain market for their spuds and green vegetables that will bring them a total of nearly $377,000.

Local potato growers will furnish approximately 2,470 tons of spuds, which will be sold for between 53 cents and 73 cents a pound.

Palmer's class of 1952 graduating

Traditional baccalaureate services are being held May 11 for the Palmer High School class of 1952.

The 20 members of the graduating class will march in their caps and gowns, the boys in blue and the girls in white.

Wasilla to graduate eight

Wasilla will have its biggest graduating class ever this year as eight seniors -- four boys and four girls -- take part in graduation ceremonies.

New hospital association holding first meeting

Officers and nine directors of the new Valley Hospital Association will be elected at the first general membership meeting of the new association May 15, 1952.

The meeting will follow by one day the death of the old Valley Hospital Association, which becomes defunct on May 14. Eighty-five members have already signed up for the new association, organizers said.

In the classified section, Valley Real Estate was offering to build a partly unfinished 20-foot-by-20-foot house for $1,750.

Valley Real Estate was also advertising a two-bedroom home in Wasilla for $2,500 down and mortgage payments of $75.

At Koslosky's grocery store, customers could purchase a one-pound tin of coffee for 94 cents.

At the Valley Theatre in Palmer, FBI Girl, The Desert Hawk and Woman on the Run were playing, and the ad touted the newest feature -- Technicolor.

Some of the features being advertised on the vehicles included a radio, and "larger" brakes for extra-stopping distance.