Looking back...

10-20-40-100 YEARS AGO

100 YEARS AGO

The list of qualified voters in Milam County for the present year (1922) shows a material gain over last year according to totals compiled by the tax collector’s department. The payment of poll taxes for the current year totals 7,570, with 275 exemption certificates, making a total of 7,845 qualified voters. The total payments for 1921 was 4,548, with 61 exemptions, making a total of 4,609 qualified voters, this showing a gain of 3,236 voters over last year in the entire county.

A snide “carnival” outfit blew into Rockdale, without previous announcement of its coming, but upon being informed that this city didn’t want such an aggregation the managers changed their minds and did not unload. These carnivals have about dug their own grave, and at the final funeral there will be few mourners.

Tom Offield, manager of the water works, last week took over management of the street that leads down by the ice factory to the water works plant, and as a result that street is now one of the best graded in the city. The work was good and badly needed.

40 YEARS AGO

Rockdale Christian Church dedicated its new church building at Sager and Rockdale Road with a special service.

Dennis Brooks who saw double duty as a tight end and linebacker for the Big Blue Tiger Football team has signed a letter of intent to attend Angelo State University in San Angelo.

Volunteer workers were hoping to get a softball complex ready for play for the Rockdale Girls Softball League and good weather during the week allowed them to work with some heavy dirt moving equipment. The complex located on city-owned land north of the junior high on Bushdale Road was eventually going to contain four softball diamonds.

20 YEARS AGO

Rockdale science students took third place in the state with their Lego-based robot at the Texas Computer Education Association at the Austin Convention Center. Team members were Clayton Smith, Lindsey Jones, Jeffrey Hayslett, Sydney Brown, Kalie Holub, Richard Wilson and Matt Baker.

The Black History Month exhibit at the city library took viewers on a trip around the world. The exhibit reflected the extensive travels of Rockdale resident Dr. Fannie Lovelady Spain and showcased the contributions of African-Americans to world culture.

10 YEARS AGO

Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) in the form of the first of five Kay Theater Foundation productions was to unroll at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when the Patterson Center was to be transformed into New Orleans’ Vieux Carre (French Quarter) complete with Dixieland music.

Rockdale’s first Gateway monument wass nearing completion at US 77 and FM 908 and a dedication observance was set for 10 a.m. Saturday to honor persons who have assisted in the project. A second monument is planned for US 79 near the US 77 overpass. Two more monuments will be erected in the future. The monuments are projects of the Rockdale Municipal Development District.

The home of Monroe and Charlotte Jungmann, 720 Middleton, was named yard of the month for February by the Linwood Acres Garden Club.