10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO
100 YEARS AGO....
Milam County Commissioners okayed an upgrade for the Rockdale-Tracy Road, noting increased oil activity in the Tracy area. Construction was expected to begin by June 15.
Heavy rain during the winter of 1918-19 were blamed for the partial collapse of a fourth floor ceiling in the U. S. Capitol in Austin. No injuries were reported but R. H. Connerly, clerk of the Third Court of Appeals, had walked under the ceiling sections just moments before it collapsed.
A page ad in favor of Prohibition featured a banner quote from British Prime minister David Lloyd George: “We are fighting against Germany, Austria and drink. As far as I can tell, the greatest of those deadly foes is drink.”
Dr. S.R. Spencer, Baylor University Dean was to deliver the commencement address for the Rockdale High School graduating class in the City Hall Auditorium.
FORTY YEARS AGO....
A meeting to gauge support for a US 79 loop around Rockdale drew almost unanimous support from about 45 local residents. A Texas Highway Department representative said such a project was “at least six or seven years in the future.”
The U. S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) denied a grant application by the City of Milano for Community Development Block Grants totaling $25,000.
More than 2,000 persons attended the grand opening of the new Rockdale State Bank building on the southwest corner of Ackerman and Main (FM 487 and US 77), Sandi Miller, Miss Texas 1979, was on hand to cut the ribbon.
Legendary teacher Ardie Mae Williams retired after a 38-year teaching career during which she missed only five days of school, all five when her husband passed away.
TWENTY YEARS AGO....
The 10,000- acre Catarina Ranch in South Texas, owned by legendary Rockdale businessman the late H. H. Coffield, sold to Houston millionaire David Brask for $5.2-million.
Stephanie Dunlap Hays, a 1986 graduate of Rockdale High School was named the commencement speaker for graduation exercises for the 103-candidate Class of 1999.
Robinson came from behind to end Rockdale’s Cinderella baseball season, defeating the Tigers 6-5 in the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Former Tiger Head Football Coach, now junior-high principal, retired after a 35-year career in education. Billy Seale won 99 football games as a head coach.
TEN YEARS AGO....
About 1,100 American General Motors dealers were closed by the company but not Rockdale’s Miller-Starnes Chevrolet-Buick, which remained one of the company’s strongest rural dealerships.
The Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department hosted a district convention for seven area fire departments that included pumper races and a weekend of family fun.
One hundred and nineteen Rockdale Elementary School fifth graders received certificates in the annual Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) ceremony.
Rockdale Lady Tiger hurdler Krysten Brooks was eyeing her second straight trip to the state track meet in Austin after placing second in regional competition at Humble.
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