25 YEARS AGO — 1984 Eugene Creech receives a variance from the City Zoning Board of Appeals, which moves ahead his 48-unit townhouse development on Urban Renewal property on north Margaret Street. He said it will mean an additional $4 million on the tax rolls.
It has taken a long time, but International Paper Co. formally receives its license exception to build a hydroelectric power project on the LaChute River in Ticonderoga. IP now has 18 months to begin construction of the power project.
A fire damages a 154-year-old stone guest house owned by Lake Placid Granite Co. on Route 9N in Upper Jay. Damage was estimated at between $50,000 and $80,000. No one was injured.
It will cost $65,000 just to open the doors. But Frank Dorchak Jr. is confident the wild-life museum will open at Ballard Mills Art Center in Malone during the summer of 1985.
50 YEARS AGO — 1959 The number of employees in Republic Steel Corp.'s Lyon Mountain mines is slightly higher now than before the strike that shut them down. About 15 more men are employed at present than before the walk out, bringing the total to 275.
Several new stores have their formal opening at the North Country Shopping Center just north of Plattsburgh on Route 9. They are W.T. Grant, H.L. Green and Stevens and Loft Candy.
All Essex County officials and employees will receive salary increases of approximately 10 percent in 1960. There will be no tax increases.
High winds slash at Lake Champlain and the North Country causing ferry service to be interrupted. Winds and high waves reportedly forced the ferry boats off course.
75 YEARS AGO — 1934 A strong police force is sent to the Franklin County Courthouse when a crowd of 1,000 struggled to edge into the trial of Thomas F. Showers, 27-year-old Civilian Conservation Corps worker accused of murdering Cleo Tellstone, 14, of Bloomingdale.
Thomas F. Showers is convicted of second-degree murder and is sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for the slaying on Cleo Tellstone. The Franklin County jury deliberated eight hours.
A fire of unknown origin razes the Colonel Day place, large summer residence on Lake George at Hague, resulting in damage unofficially estimated at $30,000. State troopers are investigating.
The Public Works Administration announces that $91,000 has been allocated to build 3.3 miles of gravel-treated road and a bridge between Ellenburg and Ellenburg Center.
100 YEARS AGO — 1909 The little village of Redford is visited by a fire, which wiped out the building in which the Post Office was located together with an adjoining barn. The fire started in the Post Office building. Fortunately all property in charge of the postmaster, including the mail and stamps, was saved.
Trustees of the new Plattsburgh City Hospital are making plans to raise the money to furnish and equip the facility, which they hope will be ready for use by spring.
The furnishing of the new Masonic Hall in Tupper Lake is completed, including electrical equipment. The hall is now one of the nicest in the section. A piano is to be installed by the ladies of the Eastern Star.
A genuine winter blizzard strikes the city. Considerable snow falls, and this was blown into drifts by high winds.
— Compiled by Contributing Writer Sue Botsford, who can be reached at 834-7201 or botsford@westelcom.com
