Peek at the Past: April 7, 1955

Here’s what made in the news in the April 7, 1955, edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Ambulance donated

Ambulance service for residents in the Matanuska Valley will soon be available 24 hours a day thanks to the generosity of Aubrey Haines of the Anchorage Funeral Home.

Haines has generously agreed to donate a 1950 Pontiac ambulance, which was delivered to Palmer this week.

At the present time, the ambulance will be housed and cared for by William Bouwens until definite plans for housing and operations are made.

Blood typing set for Valley

All Valley residents, from the Knik Bridge to Wasilla and Sutton, who have never been blood typed or don’t know their blood type are urged to take advantage of a blood typing program.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Palmer, the project aims to provide the local hospital with a list of people with know blood types and RH factors who are willing to act as donors if a need arises, medical or natural disaster.

It cost what?

According to advertisements in the Frontiersman, in 1955 you could:

• Purchase “fancy pants” for $4.55 a pair.

• Complete the outfit with a pair of $2.40 pedal pushers.

• Enjoy corn on the cob, two cans for 79 cents.

• Buy picnic hams for 39 cents a pound.