PEEK AT THE PAST: May 2, 1963

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 47 years ago, from the May 2, 1963, issue of The Frontiersman:

Fire ravages downtown Cordova

An entire downtown block of the city of Cordova was destroyed, including 15 businesses, from a raging fire that broke out early this morning.

The fire razed the area between First and Second streets and destroyed about 70 percent of the city’s business district. Initial estimates puts damages at about $2 million.

The fire was started by an explosion in the rear of one of the buildings at about 4 a.m.

Council proposes second-class borough

Boundaries and location of the borough seat were two objections raised at a local meeting at the Palmer Grange Hall to discuss a Matanuska-Susitna local option.

The meeting was hosted by the Mat-Su Borough Committee to clarify what it wants to propose in a petition to create a Mat-Su Borough. So far, the petition has not gotten the required signatures of 25 percent of registered voters from the city of Palmer. A new petition was proposed by Palmer City Council to extend the boundaries of the borough to the Kuskutan River, follow the Alaska Range at the 2,000-foot level, circle above Denali, join with the approximate boundary of the Seventh Election District, include Lake George to the south, then follow the Knik River boundary.

The borough seat would be designated as Palmer.

This would be a change from the current petition, which calls for Wasilla to be the borough seat.

Ambulance drive raises $4,000

An effort by the Palmer Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new ambulance is making a dent in its goal. A fund-raising drive has so far raised $4,000, with another $7,000 to go.

To help yourself and the drive, have some dental work done. All proceeds from dental work performed in the office of Dr. Lee McKinley on May 8 and 11 will benefit the ambulance drive.

Words of wisdom

Jack Ryan had these tips for better living on the front page of the May 2, 1963, Frontiersman:

• If you suddenly find yourself at the bottom of a lake, better check your hull. There may be a leak in it.

• If your vessel fills with water, you are no longer boating. I suggest you take up some other hobby. Why don’t you try swimming?

• Remember, sailboats always have the right of way. That’s only fair, because they can’t stop easily. It’s sort of difficult to reverse the wind.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in May 1963 you could:

• Buy a quart of marine paint for $3.35.

• Buy lettuce for 29 cents a pound.

• Get four cans of tuna for $1, or four frozen meat pies for $1.

• Buy bologna by the “chunk” for 49 cents a pound.

• Get a 1960 Chevy Brookwood from Kirk’s Sales and Service for $1,796.

• Or, a 1954 Ford Customline for $195.

• Have an all-you-can-eat dinner for $3.