PEEK AT THE PAST: Sept. 4, 1952

Here’s what made the news 59 years ago, from the Sept. 4, 1952, edition of The Frontiersman:

Mat Valley fair gross

biggest in history

Despite the rainiest weekend in Matanuska Valley Fair history, attendance was good for the three-day event.

Paid admissions for 6,400 persons compared favorable with the 6,661 for a four-day fair in 1951. The gate for Labor Day, when the sun finally burst through the clouds, was the best for any Labor Day in the fair’s history. The Fair Association realized its biggest gross in history, raking in about $1,500 more than any other years. More than $6,773 was taken as gate receipts.

Palmer school

enrollment soars

As expected, the Palmer School enrollment hit an all-time high with the beginning of the 1952-53 school year with 679 counted. Known late-comers are expected to boost the total to at least 700.

Classes began with grades two and three doubling up because of an unfinished addition to the school. Permanent seats can’t be put in the new rooms until the floor tile is laid. High school classes for two of the new rooms are being held in the library and doubling up on study halls.

$100 reward

According to a notice on the front page, Al King will give a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction “on charges of past or future pilfering, vandalism or sabotage of my taxis.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements in The Frontiersman, in September 1952 you could:

• Get 3 pounds of corn on the cob for 49 cents.

• Wash a lot of clothes with a “giant size” container of Tide detergent for 94 cents.

• Get a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver on sale for $57.50.

• Spice up breakfast with bacon for 65 cents a pound.