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

As it appeared in the July 19, 1957 Frontiersman

Lake George on annual trip to sea

The ice-locked waters of Lake George were released sometime late last Friday according to the tail water indicator located at the Eklutna Power Plant. Waters of the Knik River have been rising steadily since that time with crest anticipated today or tomorrow.

The famous self-dumping lake is located 20 miles from Palmer. It started its annual grandiose performance from 10 days to two weeks earlier than in the years the survey office has kept records of the spectacle.

Community college

plans discussed

James Hurley, member of a committee named by the Palmer Board of Education to study the feasibility of a Community College, or similar type of schooling in the Palmer area, told Chamber of Commerce members this week that a survey is planned to determine the amount of interest.

In order to offer the public this type of a program, Hurley pointed out that many phases must first be worked out.

Financing on a local level didn't seem to be a problem he said.

Good weather may produce high spud yields

The 1957 potato crop is 10 days earlier than normal, according to a report in the July issue of Alaska Market News.

Given the good weather, the balance of the season heavy yields are expected.

Since April 15, potato stock in storage have been selling at the rate of 163 tons a week, according to the News.

At the Co-Op Trading Post, you could buy a pound of Red Boy Sharp Cheese for 75 cents, 10 pounds of sugar for $1.29 and a half gallon of ice cream for 98 cents. Pot roast was 69 cents a pound, rib and pound steak retailed for 99 cents a pound and T-bone steaks were $1.10 a pound.

In the classified section, a four-bedroom log home, fully furnished, on Outer Springer Loop was being offered for $19,500.

A 77-acre tract of land, on two creeks with a log home sitting on it was being offered for $5,000.

To get that piece of property, you had to call Metcalf Realty, whose phone number was 71055.