MARY BRASWELL: See what was making the news for the month of May in years past

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.

With springtime in full force, there has been much news to report in the month of May throughout the years. Here are just a few samples.

1909

— Nelson F. Tift was elected chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners. Born in Albany in 1847, he was the eldest son of Col. Nelson Tift, Albany’s founder.

1915

— Atlantic Coast Line offered a special ticket price to the Confederate Veterans Reunion in Richmond, Va. Veterans (only) could go and return home for $13.65.

1922

— Hilsman Drug Store held a formal opening to show off its expanded floor space, up-to-date and “scientifically arranged” fixtures, as well as its modern and sanitary soda fountain. Ladies received a free ice cream. Men who purchased a Portina cigar received a second one free.

1926

— On the corner of Seventh Avenue and Jefferson Street, two acres of land sold for $50,000. On the land were four dwelling houses, a two-story stucco building, a candy factory and a barber shop.

— Albany’s building permits for the year had topped the half-million mark by more than $30,000 by May 1.

1930

— Playing at Albany’s Liberty Theater was “The Virginian” starring Gary Cooper. The movie was touted as an “all talking” Paramount Picture.

— U-Save-It (U-No-U-Do) had locations on Pine, North Madison, North Washington and East Albany. Specials included: Maxwell House coffee, 37 cents per pound; six small bars of Octagon soap, 23 cents; Southern style bacon, 32 -cents per pound; small bottles of Listerine, 20 cents each, and Coty’s face powder, 80 cents.

1933

— The Arlington School Board of Trustees re-elected the entire faculty for another year. Because of the economy, however, the salary for teachers and the length of the next term could not yet be determined.

— It was announced that one of four Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Georgia would be located in Dougherty County. Under the supervision of three U.S. Army officers and several additional Army personnel, 212 men were expected to set up camp for about six months. Plans were to reforest about 100,000 acres in Dougherty, Baker and Calhoun counties.

1937

— Dave Prather Jr. was born on May 9 in Ocilla. He grew up to become half of the popular soul duo of Sam and Dave.

1941

— The Albany Laundry Company held its annual spring blanket cleaning. Blankets were washed, sterilized, dried, ironed and folded for 25 cents each.

1948

— The Commission of Roads and Revenue granted a request from the work superintendent for the $50 purchase of softball equipment to be used by the prisoners at the County Work Farm.

— Albany bankers reported the first quarter of 1948 saw an increase in check handling of 23.7 percent over the same period just one year earlier. From the first quarter of 1940, the increase in check handling jumped a whopping 264 percent!

1950

— The city of Albany and some of the adjoining farms of Dougherty County were under a quarantine because of the sweet potato weevil. No person was allowed to plant sweet potatoes for any reason or use within one mile of the known area of infestation until further notice. Violators could be fined and crops would be destroyed.

1955

— Miller County was the first rural county in Georgia to purchase new, modern voting machines. The machines provided voter privacy and automated vote counting. Each machine weighed about 800 pounds.

1960

— The Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first commercially manufactured birth control pill. A few year later, an Albany Herald headline read: “The pill is not entirely safe — but neither is crossing streets.”

1963

— A new Hasan Shrine Temple would soon be under construction. The 17,300-square-foot facility was planned for the corner of Palmyra Road and 11th Avenue on a 12.5-acre tract. At a cost of just over $150,000, Shriners hoped to serve Thanksgiving dinner in the new building.

— Home for sale: Gail Avenue, three-bedroom, 1 1/2 bath brick home with large living room and dining room; two fireplaces; fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and garbage disposal; carpet, central heat and air; double garage at back; fenced back yard; landscaped with an abundance of trees — $21,500.

1971

— The Dougherty County Board of Education reaffirmed its stand that corporal punishment would continue in the school system when needed. The board stated that paddles of a size or weight that could cause serious bodily injury were not allowed.

1977

— After almost five years after a class-action suit was brought against the city of Albany charging employee discrimination, at least 500 city workers received their share of a $515,000 judgment. Checks were available for pickup at the corner of Mercer Avenue and Monroe Street at the former Busy Spot Grocery. Awards varied from just under $200 to $9,000, based on length of employment and classification.

1982

— The Silver Saddle at 1420 West Broad Ave. was the place to see a one-night performance by George Strait. Tickets were $3.

1984

— The Georgia Department of Human Resources first required background checks on all employees and potential employees of licensed daycare centers throughout the state.

1989

— The Dougherty County Board of Education approved the final plans for a new administration building on the corner of Pine Avenue and North Washington Street as part of downtown redevelopment. Architect David Maschke was authorized to call for bids. The Flint Avenue school system headquarters was originally built in 1886 as Albany’s first public school, Albany Academy. After a fire, the building was rebuilt in 1919 and served as Flint Avenue Grammar School. The Dougherty County School System began using the school as its administration building in 1956.

QUIK QUIZ ANSWER: (c) build a civic center

In May 1977, Mayor James H. Gray Sr. stated that the “handwriting is on the wall” and Albany must do what immediately?

a) widen Dawson Road

b) redevelop central square

c) build a civic center

d) give pay raises to police officers

See the answer at the end of Mary’s column.