MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
The Mud Island riverfront park ended its season Sunday with the best attendance in four years. Exact attendance figures were not available, but Mud Island general manager Ann Ball said that about 288,000 people visited the Island from April through November. That total compares with 174,584 last year, the worst season since the park opened in 1982 with 1.2 million visitors. Ball attributed the increase this year to more concerts at the amphitheater and an earlier opening date, allowing school groups to visit.
50 years ago — 1968
Television is so much a part of the passing scene that we tend to forget the drama of its arrival. For the Memphis area, TV stepped onto the living room stage, hinting of both entertainment and news coverage, with a live presentation of the Ole Miss-Tennessee football game of Nov. 13, 1948. About 1,400 TV receivers were within range. Now hundreds of thousands tune in each day. Quiet observance of the 20th anniversary is planned starting Dec. 7. The Commercial Appeal fathered TV through WMC for the Memphis area, then stepped aside as a separate broadcasting firm was established. While the father and the offspring may not live together any more, there remains pride in having been a part of the establishment of something new and influential in communications.
75 years ago — 1943
Carrying out their promise of rigid economy, the Shelby County Commission cut expenditures $219,992 during the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, it was announced yesterday. During the same period the Penal Farm profits rose to $99,948 from $30,225 in 1942.
100 years ago — 1918
WASHINGTON — The White House is expected momentarily to announce the members of the Paris peace delegation. Informed observers expect the delegation to include Justice Brandeis, Bernard M. Baruch, Senator James D. Phelan, Secretary of State Lansing, Elihu Root, Col. E.M. House and William Jennings Bryan.
125 years ago — 1893
The World’s Fair commissioners representing Mexico and the South American republics arrived here last night and were met by a large crowd at the station. After a few welcoming speeches, they were conveyed in carriages to Hotel Gayoso. They are guests of Pres. Stuyvesant Fish of the Illinois Railroad, sponsor of their tour of the Mississippi Delta.