www.roanoke.com

Photo courtesy of Marcia Larson

This 1958 photo shows Tinker Elementary School after several improvements were made. It was painted, the name put on the building, bars removed from the windows and a flagpole installed. The planters were made by parents, and the plants were donated by Roy Webber. The school was eventually closed and later became a science museum.

1999 (10 years ago)

• "Two weeks before George W. Bush is scheduled to set foot in Roanoke, the Texas governor got a high five from the city's Republican congressman. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, endorsed Bush Monday."

• "In 1896, the Church of the Brethren dreamed of building an 'old peoples home' in the Roanoke Valley. But that dream was deferred until the 1960s, when the church bought nine acres on Hershberger Road and -- thanks in large part to church members who pledged $235,000 -- built Friendship Manor Retirement Community. ... Now, the company wants to give up its nonprofit roots and become a profit-making concern."

1984 (25 years ago)

• "Three members of the Krisch family have agreed to sell all of their American Motor Inns stock to Prime Motor Inns of Clifton, N.J., in a $27 million transaction."

• "While Virginia's economy enjoyed 'smooth sailing with a steady breeze' in June, the Roanoke area business index had a greater increase than any of the 17 metropolitan areas in the state surveyed monthly by the College of William and Mary."

• "When Jim Glass talks about the feeling he got as he drove a support vehicle for the Olympic torch bearers, it's as if 'America the Beautiful' is playing softly in the background. ... Glass ... was one of six Virginians chosen to help in getting the Olympic flame across country."

1959 (50 years ago)

• "Whatever adverse effects the steel strike has produced in Virginia's economy appear to be centered in Roanoke."

• "An 'unpredicted, unexpected and un-everything' electrical storm struck a wide area of Western Virginia late yesterday afternoon. It drenched the Roanoke area in 1.17 inches of rain, contributed to a flurry of traffic accidents, caused scattered power failures and kept fire departments answering calls to houses and telephone poles hit by lightning."

• "Note to the person who lost an 18-inch alligator. It's been found. Luke Barnes, pro at Roanoke County Club, discovered the reptile sunning itself in the practice area near the 18th fairway of RCC."

• "Union Carbide is not coming to Roanoke. The corporation said today it will not exercise its option to purchase the American Viscose plant closed in Roanoke in late 1958."

• "More than $2,300 in cash and checks worth another $1,000 were taken from the safe of Porterfield Distributing Co. last night in what must have been a tearful experience for the burglars. In addition to the money, they also got a full dose of tear gas for their efforts."

• "The inaugural Roanoke City-County Women's Golf Tournament is history. But things look mighty bright for many larger tournaments in the future. Connie Gorsuch had little trouble winning the championship from 52 other contestants."

• "The fifth anniversary of the 'Club Quiz' program on WSLS-TV will be observed Friday."

1934 (75 years ago)

• "The Turner twins, Charley and Rawley, will meet Monday at 3:30 p.m., on the center court at Elmwood Park, to determine which member of the family will wear the Roanoke city and county tennis crown for a year." Charley won his fifth straight title.

• "It looks as if somebody will have to visit a second hand man, get an ouija board and page St. Patrick. Snakes seem to have discovered Roanoke since the flood."

• "Gone are the days, along with the rock gavel, when the Police Court judge leaned back in his chair and joined with the spectators in puffing a cigarette. ... Smoking is taboo in the court room since more dignity has been added along with the new furnishings."

• "The management of the Roanoke Theatre announce that the Roanoke is now cooled by refrigeration."

• "What to do about a reputedly unsavory odor emanating from chicken pens maintained on lots in the rear of mercantile establishments on First street, S. E., near the city market, worried council again at yesterday's weekly session."

• "With the Red Cross, county and State boards of health and other agencies working in close cooperation, the typhoid fever outbreak at Edgewood, Roanoke county, which has claimed two lives, seemed well in hand today, although an additional case was reported, bringing the total to 12."

• "Midnight, Saturday, August 18, has been set as the time for putting Roanoke's new dial system into service ..."

1909 (100 years ago)

• "About as pretty and manly a fisticuff as one could wish to see or participate in was enacted Sunday night about half after 11 o'clock on Jefferson street, between Salem and Campbell avenues. It was between two men of rugged build, who stood up and fought like real men."

• "A wonderful game was that of yesterday afternoon. It possessed everything that a fan could love. It was full of snap and ginger, it was hard fought from start to finish, and it was anybody's victory until the last man was down and out."

• "Monday's Baltimore American printed a large picture of Mr. W. R. Pedigo, secretary to the secretary of war. Roanoke is Mr. Pedigo's home town ..."

• "The mercury took a big tumble yesterday and last night heavy clothes and bed coverings were not at all uncomfortable."

• "Danger signals didn't feaze one of the local physicians who ploughed with his auto through the safety gates of the Norfolk and Western, on Jefferson street ..."

• "The returns from today's election will be given to the public by megaphone tonight, from the windows of The Roanoke Times building."

• "Roanoke showed its preference for Harry St. George Tucker for the gubernatorial nominee by the narrow margin of twenty majority, in the primary held here yesterday."