Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1917:
Mystery surrounds the sudden disappearance of Lewis E. Davis, a lineman employed by the Bell Telephone Company. All efforts to find any trace of Davis, who was last seen at Hog Island one week ago, have proven futile. The local officials of the company have made a rigid investigation. The Honey Brook, Chester County, man was residing in this city at 204 W. Eighth St. An envelope containing his week’s pay, clothes and other articles are still at the house. His parents have had no word from him. It is feared that he was either drowned or met with foul play.
75 Years Ago – 1942:
A 10-hour battle that began in the basement of an Edgmont Avenue bakery shop last night spread to adjoining stores in that block causing damages estimated by fire officials at $200,000. The work ended at noon today as firemen finished pumping tons of water from the cellars of the affected building. Seriously hampered in their effort by bitter cold, the entire department remained on duty from 10:14 p.m. until early this morning fighting the stubborn flames that damaged Vic’s Bakery and Restaurant at 606 Edgmont Ave., Eizen’s Furriers shop and Rodgers at 608 Edgmont Ave.
50 Years Ago – 1967:
James L. Rankin’s appeal to block erection of highrise apartments for low-income elderly residents was dismissed Friday. Judge Francis J. Catania, writing the full court’s opinion, upheld Chester and its zoning board of appeals on all counts. The judge directed the zoning board and the city building inspector to “issue forthwith” a special exemption and building permit for construction of the two 14-story, high-rise apartment buildings to be known as the Chester Towers – bounded by Edgmont Avenue, Madison and 10th and 12th streets. It is not known if Rankin – Chester’s longtime unofficial governmental “watchdog” – would appeal to a higher court.
25 Years Ago – 1992:
Santa Claus will be making the rounds in Prospect Park this evening but the jolly man will be giving away more than treats to kids. After riding through the borough, he will take his place at the borough fire house at 10th and Lincoln. In light of the recent fire tragedies in Delaware County, Santa will give away 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors. He will also give candy canes to children.
10 Years Ago – 2007:
The former Regency Hotel on Baltimore Pike in Middletown has been demolished for an 80,000-square-foot medical office building primarily to house the Rothman Institute Orthopaedic Center of Excellence. A 540-vehicle parking garage will be built near the new building to accommodate an anticipated increase volume of cars to Riddle’s campus.