Looking back: Farmington civil defense team started to talk about finding fallout shelter locations in 1962

Talk about it

50 years ago

From the Nov. 1, 1962

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Fire damages two houses

Two area houses were badly damaged by fire within a week. One was owned by Mrs. Harmke Rignonti west of Lakeville, the other by Mrs. Charles Doxey, south of Farmington.

Doxey House

A mystery blaze gutted the upstairs portion of the Mrs. Charles Doxey, 35-year-old house, three miles south of Farmington about 2:15 p.m. Thursday of last week.

The building was unoccupied and did not contain furniture at the time. Mrs. Doxey is presently living with her son, Harold Doxey of 4250 Quincy N.E., Minneapolis.

The fire was destroyed by Marvin Erickson....

Doxey said the cause could not be wiring because he had the fuses pulled out. The previous Saturday he found a partly-burned paper sack on the back porch. There were some cigarettes stored in the kitchen drawer; the doors wee locked, but the upstairs window was open.

Filings open in villages

Farmington will hold an election for village officers on Dec. 4, 1962.

Four posts will be filled in the election and the filing period for the various officers will be open until midnight of Nov. 5, 1962. To be filled are the offices of one trustee, three-year term; one clerk, two-year term; one justice of the peace, two-year term; and one assessor, two-year term.

Filings may be made with the village clerk, Ken Gerten.

Those whose terms expire are Newton Hauk, an appointed trustee; Ken Gerten, clerk; and John Steffes, serving one year by appointment as assessor. The justice of the peace office is currently vacant.

Vandals force night closing of laundromat

Unknown vandals entered the Farmington Laundromat sometime during the past weekend and pried the change mechanism out of the dry cleaning machine and tampered with the candy machines in an effort to get money out of them.

The lock on the change mechanism was broken but the would-be thieves failed their effort to obtain any change and the candy machines were equally unproductive.

As a result of the attempted robbery, plus the damage to paneling in the building near the telephone, the management has been compelled to close between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. An ad appears elsewhere in this issue.

Seek plan for defense in local village

In response to Mayor Gorgos’ invitation to attend a meeting to discuss the problems and possibilities of civil defense for Farmington, a group of about 20 men responded on Wednesday evening.

A general discussion was held on CD efforts in the past, status of the local CD effort at the present time, and what might and should be done in the immediate future. The concensus of opinion was unanimous in feeling that an adequate system was and should be of prime importance.

Ed Mahowald, local CD director, pointed out that a preliminary survey had been made to determine which buildings had sufficient and suitable space to be converted to mass fall-out shelters and explained that he had, several months ago applied for such items as were available to stock such shelters....

Mayor Gorgos stated that he felt that it was the responsibility of the mayor and council to make a decision on the subject, and entertained a motion for the director to arrange for a meeting with state and county CD officials and various local persons to formulate a plan and provide concrete figures for the council to act on.

75 years ago

From the Nov. 5, 1937

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Lyric Theatre completes new decorations here

A complete redecoration job is being finished this week at the new Lyric Theatre in Farmington, by the Gill Bros., managers.

The decorations include: painting inside and outside, new drapes, new lighting fixtures. Color schemes are: in the lobby, green and gold; in the foyer, peach and white are predominant, while the doors are cream and brown; the auditorium is done in with changeable lighting, giving a beautiful effect. Other changes will be made in the near future.

Grey sweet shop moves in spick-and-span quarters

Grey Sweet Shop has moved to larger and spick-and-span quarters in the Masonic Temple located between the First National Bank and H.W. Hosmer Drug store. This light lunch and confectionary opened Monday morning of this week, but the grand opening is announced for this Saturday, according to an ad on the inside of this issue.

The Jefferson Highway Transportation company has moved their bus depot from the Parnell Café to the Grey Sweet Shop.

The new place has been re-decorated, using the color scheme of tile red, maize and black on the walls, booths and stools. A new hardwood floor has been laid and an extra window installed on the north side to give more light....

The place is operated by Mrs. Loene Grabenstein and son, Edgar. The clerks are Florence Cherry and Stella Shellenbarger. Mrs. Mae Ackerman is taking the latter’s place until she recuperated from an operation.

The place is one of the niftiest in this section and the Grabensteins are to be congratulated.

Invited to sing over WLS, Chicago

Postmaster Edward Feely has received an invitation from Radio Station WLS, Chicago, to sing over that station on the Home Talent program which is broadcast from Chicago from 1:00 until 1:15 every Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Feely as recommended by Edith Schlytern who had charge of the WLS Home Talent barn dance show at the fair grounds here in August. Mr. Feely sang a solo on the local program.

Eureka 4-H Club enjoy Halloween

The members of the Eureka 49ers’ 4-H Club enjoyed a Halloween party at the home of Robert and Mardell Johnson.

The first part of the evening was devoted to a business meeting which included election of officers. The officers for the coming year are: President, Clarence Gelder; vice president; Esther Hansen; secretary, Marjorie Pool; and reporter, John Curry.

The committee had many games prepared and prizes were given.

Mrs. Johnson served a tasty lunch and an enjoyable time was had by all.

The next morning is to be held at the home of Marjorie Pool on Dec. 3. All members are urged to attend.

100 years ago

From the Nov. 1, 1912

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Victim of shredder

While working on Albert Ratzlaff’s corn shredder at the Whitney farm Thursday about 12 o’clock in the knives, his body was so badly mangled that he died from the injuries within 10 minutes.

The accident occurred while Mr. Anderson was getting off from a load. Instead of landing upon the ground, he jumped upon the feed-board which gave way and the carrier taking his body into the knives which could not stop in time to save his life.

A hastened call was phoned to Dr. Sanford, but of no avail, the unfortunate man being dead before the doctor would have time to leave town.

He had been working at the Whitney place but a few days, and his folks live in Norway and are said to be wealthy.

Tags: news, community, farmington