100 YEARS AGO…
J.D. Hamilton, Rockdale citizen, businessman and former constable of this precinct, was instantly killed when he came in contact with a fallen electric light wire on East Cameron Avenue near the Spa Depot. This is the second death by electrocution in Rockdale in two weeks, and it is a singular coincidence that the other death, that of little Velma Ashby on San Jacinto Day, occurred in Mr. Hamilton’s yard.
The City Council met in regular session and transacted a lot of routine business, principal among which was the order passed authorizing the Fire Department to purchase an electric siren and making the appropriation towards paying for same.
The Parent-Teacher Association realized some $101 net proceeds from the sale of sandwiches, soft drinks and coffee served at the Interscholastic League meet held in April. The president, Mrs. Callaway desires to thank all who donated and assisted in this matter.
40 YEARS AGO…
A Missouri Pacific freight train, skidding to an emergency stop, struck and killed a 2-year-old boy 3.4 miles east of Rockdale. The victim was Terry Lynn Barker, one of three young children who were seen playing on the railroad tracks by passing motorists who were driving on US 79 which parallels the tracks.
Rockdale Community Players staged Neil Simon’s hilarious “Plaza Suite” in three evenings at the Patterson Civic Center, drawing standing ovations from capacity dinner theater audiences.
20 YEARS AGO…
Wednesday turned out to be a day for which Rockdale area drivers have been waiting for three years. TxDOT opened its “out of town” US 79 highway-widening project between CR 306 and Rocky Creek and it happened ahead of schedule.
Manor Oaks Nursing Home held its annual Senior Games with over 40 participants from area nursing homes competing. There were wheelchair and walker races plus plenty of food and outdoor musical entertainment on a warm spring day. Host Manor Oaks won the competition which also included participants from nursing homes in Hearne, Giddings and Marlin.
Over 170 people attended the Linwood Acres Garden Club’s “Spring Fling” at the St. John’s United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Proceeds from the event will go to the two annual $500 scholarships to local students.
10 YEARS AGO…
The Rockdale Municipal Development District board has approved a $50,401 expenditure to assist what’s envisioned as the largest housing project in Rockdale in decades. Meeting Thursday in regular session at City Hall, the MDD okayed a “forgivable loan” to Ingenious Living/End Game Development, which is planning to construct the Hunters Chase Senior Living Complex on East Belton Avenue.
The third annual Nocturnal Fest at Apache Pass, northwest of Rockdale, broke its own record for the largest crowd ever in Milam County during the weekend. Preliminary estimates are that the two-night music-and-light-show spectacular, attracted 35,000 persons. A total of 71 drug arrests were made for a variety of substances.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.