10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO…
For the first time in her history Rockdale was to have a “Community Christmas Tree.” Through the activity of the Parent-Teacher Association this form of celebration would be held Christmas Eve, with all churches and other organizations of the city cooperating. A big Christmas tree was to be erected at the flag pole, at the crossing of Cameron and Ackerman Streets. This tree would remain in place all during Christmas week. It would be beautifully decorated, and at night would be illuminated with more than half a hundred colored lights. It would form an attractive setting for Rockdale’s Christmas activities, and would assist wonderfully in promoting the ”Christmas Spirit.”
Mrs. W.A. Coffield was a charming hostess to the Matinee Musical Club on Dec. 8. Twelve members answered the roil call with musical current events. In the business session the club decided to offer a reward to the child receiving the highest grade in the Musical Memory contest, to be held in the public schools. In this way they hoped to increase the interest and love of good music among children.
Starting about daylight Monday rain began falling and continued slowly, practically without intermission, until about midnight Wednesday—a matter of approximately 66 hours. At times during this period the rainfall was quite heavy, at other times only a drizzle. More water had fallen than during any similar period of time for several years. As a result the San Gabriel River was reported out all over the bottoms, while Brushy Creek and Little River were reported out in the sloughs.
The Reporter believed that the business section of Rockdale could be paved along the same lines that Cameron and other small cities had proceeded. Cameron had recently let the contract for more than 30 blocks of paved streets, and it was all brought about through the agency of having just one block paved as a sample of what paving would mean to the city.
40 YEARS AGO…
The legal battle between the Thorndale School District, Milam County Appraisal District (MCAD) and the Rockdale School District about the taxing status of an Alcoa dragline was not over. An appeal is in the making of a Nov. 21 judgment issued by District Judge John L. Placke of Giddings gave Thorndale the right to tax the contested $23 million dragline.
On a night when Rockdale’s crack volunteer fire department and Emergency Medical Units received state awards, local city council members joined in the spirit by approving the purchase of a defibrillator unit for the new EMS ambulance.
20 YEARS AGO…
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in Rockdale’s Christmas parade atop a Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department pumper. Rev. Glen Pipes and Barbara Walko, Santa’s good friends, said the couple enjoyed their 90-minute visit with children at the historic I&GN Depot.
Dyess Insurance Agency, which also housed Joy Graham’s office dedicated to Milam County History, hosted a chamber mixer with a buffet spread and plenty of Christmas cheer.
10 YEARS AGO…
Cold, and a little icy, weather caused organizers around the county to postpone, and even cancel, some Christmas events. Most would give it another try over the upcoming weekend, with annual parades and activities in Rockdale and Milano rescheduled.
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