PEEK AT THE PAST: May 8, 1948

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 62 years ago, from the May 8, 1948, issue of the Valley Frontiersman:

Wasilla seeks cemetery name

The local cemetery association has decided the cemetery in Wasilla will be dedicated on Memorial Day. Ground for the cemetery was set aside during the past year and plans are under way to make the plot of land more beautiful.

Aside from a dedication, the committee hopes to have a name for the cemetery before the service. To choose a name, the association has launched a contest that includes students at Wasilla School. A prize will be given to the student who submits the winning name.

Seniors swap with teachers

Turnabout was fair play for seniors at Palmer High School this past week, who traded places with school teachers and administrators for eight hours. The paper reports:

“It was dead serious business for the seniors, for Wednesday was student control day, and their goal was he achievement of a school day as routine as any other.”

Discipline was reported to be “better than usual” under the watchful eye of classmates.

Colony Day to be revived

May 29 and 30 will mark the revival of Colony Day in the Valley. Originally planned to memorialize the arrival of the Valley’s first farmers settled here by the government, Colony Day 1948 will be dedicated to the Valley’s future.

All proceeds from the celebration are earmarked for the Palmer Airport Association to complete payments due on the airport land, which still has a $3,000 outstanding balance. That final payment will be past due on June 1. Along with a free barbecue and scenic air and bus rides are activities such as bingo, a dance and a field day.

Wasilla plans for new library

Members of the Wasilla Library Association have voted to launch a campaign to build up a fund for construction of a new library, which will be located on or near the library’s present site. It’s estimated the association will need about $1,400 to construct a new library, and there is now about $500 in the building fund.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in May 1948 you could:

• Apparently, from the post above, buy a new library for $1,400.

• Take a round-trip train ride to Anchorage for $3.40.

• truck tires for $21.25 each.

• Book daily flights to Seattle and weekly flights to Minnesota at Bert’s Drug Store.