Looking toward the east at the Carson City Airport in 1960.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Curry’s Grand Fourth: The Grand Fourth of July ball is being held in the handsomest room at the railway shops, the room 65 by 163 feet. Its walls are white, and there is not a pillar nor a post to obstruct the view from one end to the other. There are not less than 50,000 feet of lumber employed in the construction of the floor, the whole surface of the floor leveled and smoothed so that the fantastic toe may never encounter the slightest obstacle to its triumphant progress. As we have remarked, there will be a very full band of musicians in attendance. The ball is free, all the expenses incurred by Curry himself.
140 Years Ago
The Caledonians: William Sutherland of the advance guard of the Caledonian Society was in Carson to make arrangements for the picnic. They want Carson to assist them a little. In the past they have stood squarely by Carson and never took their picnics anywhere else. It will be held on Aug. 6. It behooves Carson to assist as much as possible and give the Scots a chance to do well here.
130 Years Ago
Sad accident at Empire: The mother was getting a bucket of water, leaving the 16-month old child in the kitchen. The toddler opened the stove door and took out a stick of burning wood setting fire to its clothing. Its face and breast were dreadfully burned. Dr. White was called. The little sufferer is doing quite well.
70 Years Ago
Carson Bowl: Frank Berger, 49-year-old engineer of federal aid roads with the state highway department, has taken over operation of the Carson Bowl and has changed the name to Carson City Bowl. He will sublease the restaurant but will the manage the alleys and bar himself. He was secretary of the Carson City Bowling association since its formation a year ago and will resign his position at the highway department. He was statistician of the old winter bowling leagues at Sunny Acres (at the Children’s Home) for years.
60 Years Ago
Jail? Bird held here: Carson City Policeman Tom Fettic is holding an escapee, a white parakeet, from an unknown cage. It was captured by Faye Vonsild and held for some time under a colander until it was turned over to authorities. If the owner will come forward, Officer Fettic says he will parole the bird back into their custody. The parakeet — he isn’t talking.
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Fox’s store: He got a lot of firecrackers and pesky serpents of the fire kind and is prepared to assist the doting parent to squander his hard earned silver and gold in purchasing the materials wherewith his offspring may blow themselves up, destroy the peace of the domicile, make night hideous and set fire to the barn and other part of the household. The glorious fourth, will be all over by the morning of the fifth.
140 Years Ago
Local notes: Glenbrook is making great preparations for a big blow-out on the fourth.
In Oregon, the people burn the Chinese cabins and scorch them out of the country.
Someone has invented a whole set of bed clothes made of paper to cost 75 cents a set. Now give the lodging housekeepers a 50-cent bed set, and hotels will spring up all over the West.
130 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Lecture! The talented young colored orator, Geo. H. Rogers of Boston, Mass., will deliver one of his series at the Carson Theatre, subject — ‘The Black Man: His past, present and future.” Tickets…. 50 cents.”
70 Years Ago
Giant balloon animals: The most popular attraction in the 1955 Reno Rodeo parade was the entry of giant balloon animals sponsored by Dick Graves Nugget in Sparks and Carson City. There was a giant cowboy, tallest of the balloons at 15 feet, and Snow White and the seven dwarfs were the only “live” participants in the Nugget entry. Seven boys who donned costumes with huge balloon heads depicted the story-book dwarf characters.
60 Years Ago
Nevada “bombing” target: The receptor plans from Hamilton Air Force Base will defend cities in three western states from simulated bombing attacks. The Air Force announced participation of BK 101 Voodoos of the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in doing Strategic Air Command and North American Air Defense Command exercises over parts of California, Arizona and Nevada.
Friday
150 Years Ago
Look out for fire: Nobody can be too careful or watchful for every boy and nearly every man in town will be firing off crackers and other seasonable explosives. It is a very dry time, and it would be easy to burn the downtown.
140 Years Ago
Local notes: Born in this city on July 2, 1885, to the wife of Henry Fothergill, a son.
130 Years Ago
Ready to scream: The American Eagle will be in evidence and on main street in a mass of bunting, and patriotism will be at the bubbling point. The patriotic people of the Capitol have been preparing for the big celebration. Decorations of the street begin from the railroad depot to Springmeyer’s Hay yard with a mass of fluttering flags — red, white and blue with tasteful and elaborate decorations.
70 Years Ago
Lethal fallout could hit here: Gov. Charles H. Russell said, “The results of the June 15 tests, when simulated bombing attacks were made on this country, has forced us here in Nevada to completely re-evaluate the effects of such an attack. We must be better organized throughout the state to meet such an emergency for lethal fallouts from bombs dropped on San Francisco and Las Vegas.”
60 Years Ago
Jennie O’Hare Riordan dies: Nevada lost one of her pioneers with the passing of Mrs. Jennie O’Hare Riordan, mother of Gertrude Gottschalk. She was born here on May 10, 1874. She was a schoolteacher and taught in many Nevada counties, living in primitive circumstances and teaching both summer and winter at different schools. In September, she was married to James Riordan of White River, Nev. For 40 years they engaged in ranching and mining in the eastern Nevada area and later returned to Carson City to retire.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.