A glimpse at our town's history

Belinda Larsen

70 YEARS AGO
1948
Citizenship A Award winners at Augusta High School were: Shirley Cody, Lois McPerron, Ruth Belisle, Ellen Smith, Donna Mabry, Ruth Belisle, Stanley Robinson, Stanley Cabrales, Harvey Harrison, Connie Howard, Bill Smith, and Bob Thomas.
The annual All-School Picnic was enjoyed at Garvin Park.  The senior class won the traditional tug-of-war contest over Elm Creek.
The body of Pvt. Arthur W. Pickrell, whose life was lost in France in 1944 during WWII, had arrived home for burial.
60 YEARS AGO
1958
Workers were busy converting the old Isis Theater building, adjacent to the Augusta Theatre, into shops.  The Tot Shop would occupy the north side and McCauley’s Jewelry, the south side.
Browntown’s school held its last program.  The school district voted to annex Browntown to Gordon the next year.
The Augusta Theatre was holding a special five day engagement of “A Farewell to Arms,” starring Jennifer Jones and Rock Hudson.
50 YEARS AGO
1968
The Chamber of Commerce was hosting an informational meeting for business owners concerning shoplifting and bad checks.
Charles Beye set two new Augusta Junior High track records at Campus.
A driving ran storm tore away a section of roof at the Augusta Public Library and a number of books were soaked.
40 YEARS AGO
1978
Cindy Bussart was named Junior Queen of the Augusta Saddle Club.
Vida O’Donnell, Garfield teacher, retired from teaching after 35 years.
L.C. Crouch, assistant commissioner for the Kansas State Board of Education and former Augusta High School principal, would be guest speaker during AHS commencement exercises.
30 YEARS AGO
1988
Voters in Augusta USD 402 - balloting for the first time by mail - defeated a $4.015 million school bond issue by a 154-vote margin.
National Honor Society students did some impressive landscape work at the high school.
Robinson Elementary School celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special program and guests.
20 YEARS AGO
1998
The City Council approved funds to go toward badly needed repairs at the municipal swimming pool and mausoleum at Elmwood Cemetery.
Augusta teachers honored for 25 years of service were: Norma Ayers, Janet Clark, Kathy Gibbs, Mary Jane Oglesby, and Lesly Tharp.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) advised the City that one out of the four business signs on the east side of the city airport would need to be removed.
10 YEARS AGO
2008
Designs were presented to City Council for signs to be posted at the east side of town near the U.S. Highway 54 overpass and near Second and Walnut on the south side of town.
The following team members won the U.S. Bowling Congress Open Tournament at Holiday Bowl: Jerry and Cheryl Schrimsher, Julie Schimmelpfeng, and Brick Keazer.
For the third time in four years, the St. James fifth grade Quiz Bowl Team earned first place in the annual Religion Quiz Bowl held in McPherson.