Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1916:

Chester Postmaster W.H. Nelson has ordered the erection of a modern letter box at the corners of Seventh and Market streets for the convenience of patrons living in that vicinity. Since the rapid growth in that business district much complaint has been heard concerning the lack of mail receiving receptacles. With the new box installed, it is expected the situation will be improved.

75 Years Ago – 1941:

Appointment of Ellis L. Spray as manager of the $22,000,000 Merchant Marine Works being built by Westinghouse at Lester was announced today by F. D. Newbury, vice president who heads the company’s emergency products division. The merchant ship equipment plant, which will employ more than 2,000 workers, will produce propulsion machinery for the U. S. Maritime Commission. Containing nearly nine acres of manufacturing space, the factory is scheduled to begin operations early in 1942.

50 Years Ago – 1966:

Chester Hospital should be reopened, Dr. Nathan V. Plafker, chairman of the city’s planning commission, said. Plafker, who is a dentist, said the city faces a medical “catastrophe” if the hospital is not reopened. He said persons now face long delay in gaining admission to Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland and Sacred Heart Hospital in Chester. The hospital was closed June 28 as Chester Division of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, following its merger in 1963 with Crozer Hospital. Officials stated that it could not continue financially in the face of rising costs of indigent care.

25 Years Ago – 1991:

Tour de Blue, the super block party on a super highway – 40 years in the making — called the Blue Route will be today. Activities ranging from an antique auto parade to a bicycle fun ride will take place along an 8-mile stretch of 21.5-mile Interstate 476 between the U.S. Route 1/Media Bypass in Marple and Route 30 Interchange in Radnor. Committee officials have predicted anywhere from 25,000-30,000 attendees, depending upon the weather.

10 Years Ago – 2006:

The Fourth Annual Jazz by Night Celebration in Media on Saturday honors two “Elder Statesmen of the Jazz World,” who have never lost a beat and remain renowned musicians on the Philadelphia (and International) Jazz Scene: saxophonist Bootsie Barnes and drummer Mickey Roker.