MARY BRASWELL: Looking back at news from across the years.

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Follow @ABH_MBraswell on Twitter.

As February turns to March in Southwest Georgia, minds turn to thoughts of spring. Here is a look at what else was on people’s minds (and in the news) from the pages of The Albany Herald.

1866

— Georgia Gov. Charles Jenkins signed a law making it legal for married women to maintain an independent bank account, as long as the total balance did not exceed $2,000.

1898

— The city of Atlanta accepted George Gress’ gift of the Cyclorama painting of the Battle of Atlanta.. Conditions of the gift included the pledge by the city to repair the circular wooden building in which the painting was housed at Grant Park.

1915

— Tifton began making plans for its first city hospital. It was proposed that a building be rented, citizens would furnish the interior and doctors would donate toward equipping an operating room. The city and county commissions agreed to each contribute $50 per month for maintenance.

— A new and substantial impoundment facility was built at the corner of Front and Commerce (now Oglethorpe) streets for housing stray horses, mules, cows and sheep. While no official impoundment place was visible for cats and and dogs, the crematory was nearby and suggested itself as a means of disposal for unclaimed domestic animals.

1924

— Milk was being served to school children in Bainbridge with the help of the Parent Teacher Association. Parents able to pay for their child’s milk were asked to do so, ensuring that all children got milk daily.

1931

— Dougherty County property owners saw a drop in tax evaluation of 15 percent. At the time, Dougherty was one of only seven counties in the state to put more tax dollars in state coffers than it was allowed get back. Such a case was determined to be unnecessary and an undue burden on property owners. While rates remained the same, a $1,000 piece of property would only be taxed at the value of $850.

1936

— Owners of automobiles in Georgia were wise to purchase their tags on time. What was normally a $3 tag went up to $4.60 if purchased past the deadline.

— Morgan schools reopened on March 2 after being closed for two weeks due to an outbreak of influenza.

1940

— Four babies, two girls and two boys, were born on Leap Year Day at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

1944

— Alarm clocks became available to American consumers for the first time since World War II began. Other items not yet available were refrigerators, hair pins, bed springs, lawnmowers and metal office furniture.

1947

— A new West Albany subdivision opened to the general public, in this case meaning veterans and non-veterans. The Whitney Avenue homes had six rooms, including three bedrooms. All had hardwood floors, automatic hot water heaters, attic storage with disappearing stairs, spacious living rooms and plenty of closet space. The homes sold $7,000 to $7,150 each.

1958

— The St. Teresa Parent Teacher Association (PTA) compiled recent votes regarding school uniforms. A great majority of the parents were in favor of the issue. The adopted policy for girls included navy plaid pleated skirts and white middy blouse. Boys were to wear navy “tweeduroy” trousers with white short-sleeved shirts. Boys and girls were to wear navy coat-like sweaters with the St. Teresa emblem on the pocket.

1964

— The University System’s Board of Regents announced that Georgia Southwestern College in Americus would become a four-year institution.

1967

— For kids home from school with a cold or the chicken pox, here are some of the shows watched on television before noon: “Captain Kangaroo,” “Mr. Ed,” “The Donna Reed Show,” “Leave it to Beaver,” “Candid Camera,” “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Andy of Mayberry” and “Dick Van Dyke.” For game show lovers, there was “Concentration,” “Supermarket Sweepstakes,” “The Dating Game” and “Hollywood Squares.”

1970

— Funding was finally in place for the paving of Albany State College’s perimeter road, which was built in 1964. In addition, some parking areas were to be paved.

1983

— “M*A*S*H” became the most-watched television show in history as the final episode aired on Feb. 28. The fictional 4077 M*A*S*H Unit of the Korean Conflict attracted an estimated 125 million viewers for its 2 1/2-hour finale.

1987

— Volunteers from the Homebuilders Association of Albany and Southwest Georgia repaired the large barbecue area near the Wild Animal Park at Chehaw. The pit area, originally built in the 1930s, was ready for use again after just one day’s work by many hands.

1989

— The U.S. Marine Corps celebrated its 37th anniversary in Albany. The base was the source of 3,791 jobs. The next largest employer was Procter & Gamble with 1,530 employees.

— Americus native Willie James Robinson was named the new principal at Dougherty High School. Robinson’s previous experience included 17 1/2 years as principal of Sumter High School.

1997

— Demolition of the 87-year-old Liberty Theater got under way. The building was ruled a health hazard and demolition was ordered by the Municipal Court.

— Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt and the Charlie Daniels Band brought 5,000 fans to the Albany Civic Center.

Quik Quiz answer: (d) “The Rifleman”