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The Roanoke Times

File 1926 This is the interior of the Hancock-Clay store on Jefferson Street before it merged with MacBain's in 1933 and moved to the MacBain building at Campbell Ave. and First Street. This photo was taken around 1926.

1998 (10 years ago)

n "In Salem, where 95 percent of the available land has been developed, 52 acres of open space are valuable real estate. Because the city owns those 52 acres, the property's future is open for public debate. City Council plans to discuss possibilities for the tract, which is across from the Salem Civic Center, at a public hearing during its meeting tonight."

n "About 100 Cave Spring residents and business owners gathered ... hoping to hear details of a proposal to build new businesses on one of the area's few remaining pieces of undeveloped land. Many left disappointed and frustrated with the secrecy surrounding a developer's plan to entice one or more businesses to the northeastern corner of Brambleton Avenue and Virginia 419."

n "Piedmont Aviation Services Inc., a general-aviation company with operations at Roanoke Regional Airport, has merged with Hawthorne Aviation of Charleston, S.C., and acquired two other companies."

n "Roanoke officials are considering an IMAX theater, saying the high-tech attraction could help turn downtown Roanoke into more of an entertainment destination."

n "This summer, some VMI men put a new Norelco electric razor to the VMI test, and landed themselves a spot in a new national commercial for the product. The commercial is being filmed at VMI over three days this week. The 45-second spot, featuring 19 cadets, should begin airing in early September."

n "Judy Larson has been appointed executive director of the Art Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke. Larson previously was curator of American art at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta."

1983 (25 years ago)

n "Roanoke's Central Library in Elmwood Park will be closed during August because of construction on an addition to the building."

n " 'Midday,' the half-hour program at noon on WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) in Roanoke, will be canceled in September and be replaced by local news."

n "Five passing motorists who rescued a Bedford man from his burning car [in May] have been commended by President Reagan for their 'heroic lifesaving efforts.' "

n "Wometco Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plans a $13.5 million expansion of its plant in the Gainsboro neighborhood in Northwest Roanoke if the city can obtain a $4 million federal grant."

n "The Roanoke Valley's four Roman Catholic parishes are setting up a new center to help the poor. St. Francis House ... is at 820 Campbell Ave., S.W., site of the old Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church."

1958 (50 years ago)

n "Roanoke ministers reached in a telephone poll have mixed feelings on the use of church facilities for operation of private schools should the public schools be closed, but a majority appear to oppose such action."

n "The Roanoke Historical Society has temporary quarters in the Peoples Federal Building and is now preparing a brochure listing objects the society wishes to acquire."

n "Congressional investigators try again today to uncover Communist activities in the South following a session in which several witnesses, including two from Roanoke, Va., refused to say if they are party members."

n "Suggestions for solving Williamson Road's teen-age gang problem flew thick and fast at a meeting of area civic club men and city officials yesterday."

n "A call for a citywide look at Roanoke's juvenile problems emerged today from a meeting attended by a psychiatrist, another physician, a minister and four social workers."

n "Construction of a $276,439 clubhouse at Hidden Valley Country Club starts next week."

n "A swarm of several thousand bees looking for a place to set up a honey plant picked the wrong site when they attempted to settle in downtown Roanoke yesterday afternoon."

n "The Norfolk and Western Railway has finished construction of its huge freight car shop here."

n "A little steam locomotive, once the king of the Norfolk and Western's fleet of freight engine, was retired this week after nearly 60 years of service. The locomotive ... is a Class W-6, or 'Saddleback,' so-called because its tender was built in with the locomotive itself."

1933 (75 years ago)

n "With a rainfall of two and seven-tenths inches here in 24 hours, farmers, orchardists and others breathed relief, as estimates of untold good rolled in."

n "Roanoke is becoming beer-conscious, according to Albert Rosenberg, proprietor of The Blue Faun, 20 Church Ave. W. 'We have sold over 50 dozen of one type of beer mugs within the last month,' Mr. Rosenberg added."

n "Note to motorists: at 35 miles an hour motorists get the greatest value from their gasoline dollar, tests at Iowa State College reveal."

n "Potential possibilities of a hot time in Salem ... next Friday loomed with the announcement of a baseball game between the Salem Fire Department and Roanoke Fire laddies."

n "Hancock-Clay interests obtained complete control of Hancock-Clay-MacBain's Inc., one of Roanoke's oldest department stores, when William Schneer, vice president, and G. G. Fisher, a director, resigned to give their full time to other interests."

n "Lack of financial support caused the decision to close Harris Academy and put up the school property, former site of Virginia College, for sale, it was announced yesterday."

n "An unusually large amount of rain fell in Roanoke during the month of July, the precipitation for the month being 6.04 inches."

n "Grocers, drug store proprietors, etc. -- operators of all stores where voting booths were erected -- had plenty of cleaning facing them this morning."

1908 (100 years ago)

n "The new Roanoke military company has been assigned to the Seventy-Second Regiment of Virginia Volunteers."

n "It is reported that two parties came to Roanoke several days ago from Chicago and closed a deal with Mr. K. Stoner, of Fincastle, Va., for the exclusive rights to the wonderful wheat which Mr. Stoner has developed within the past few years."

n "There was a large audience at the Casino last night to witness the first play of 'In Old New Hampshire,' and in the first act it would be difficult for one to tell whether he was at the Casino or attending a church service."

n "Many guests seeking health and rest from business cares, have registered at this beautiful resort [Blue Ridge Springs]."

n "We are informed this morning by the health officer that there are no new cases of infantile paralysis in Salem for a week, which seems as if the disease is dying out, and there need be no excitement among the people."

n "With Verneulle on the mound, who was backed up in great style by his team-mates, the Highlanders loaded the good ship Mary Jane with a cargo of hen fruit." Roanoke beat Norfolk 5-0.

n "The force of men employed in the car department of the Norfolk & Western shops will be increased 20 percent, and the additional force will go to work Monday."

n "Jailor Allen will give the prisoners of the city jail tomorrow a watermelon feast."

n "Was you at the ball game yesterday afternoon? Well, if you wasn't, you missed half of your life. It was one of the most exciting and interesting games that has ever been played on the local lot. The Highlanders won by the close score of 2 to 1."

n "Saturday afternoon about 5 o'clock an alarm was turned in ... caused by the burning of the interior of the St. James M.E. church, corner Fourth Avenue and Park Street, n.w."