Days Gone By
100 YEARS AGO, 1924 » Fire destroyed the warehouse of Frank g. Clark and Sons at Drexel Hill, this morning, and threatened adjoining properties valued at many thousands of dollars before it was extinguished after a three hours-battle. The loss, apart from that of the one and one-half story building, will reach $15,000 on the merchandise consumed, consisting of groceries and provisions. Eight large auto trucks were saved and two smaller machines fell prey to the flames. The origin of the fire is attributed to spontaneous combustion.
75 YEARS AGO, 1949 » Frank Buckman, manager of an American Store at Third and Engle streets, is getting his dander up. Here’s why: Last night thieves broke into the store, knocked the hinges off a small safe and escaped with between $200 and $300, according to Detective Francis Holt, and cigarettes form the store’s stock. The fact that it’s the third time in the last month that this has happened is what burns up Buckman.
50 YEARS AGO, 1974 » A package of 10 bills aimed at updating the state’s liquor laws was introduced in the House of Represents in Harrisburg Monday. One bill would extend by two hours the closing times of bars and private cubs “to knock speakeasies out of businessmen,” while another would permit over-the-counter liquor sales when state stores are closed. A third bill would forbid all gifts from liquor industry representatives to state employees and a fourth would allow the purchase of wines and liquors on credit or by check. The bills were jointly sponsored by House Liquor Control Committee Chairman Rep. Stanley R. Kester (R-160) of Chester Township and Rep. Joseph A. Sullivan (D-Philadelphia), chairman of the committee’s Democratic minority.
25 YEARS AGO, 1999 » How much traffic can Thornbury Township handle? That’s what residents asked at Wednesday’s hearing on Toll Brothers’ plans for a 124-lot housing development on the Patterson Tract. “”Do you want to see bodies at the intersection of Tanguy and Creek Roads?” asked resident Isabelle Smith of traffic planner Don Jacobs, referring to an entrance near the intersection. “”If you build that road, you’ll see at lot more accidents.”
10 YEARS AGO, 2014 » A familiar face in area politics is taking on a new endeavor in an effort to assist a neighboring town in cleaning up its image. Darby Borough resident Paula Brown was hired as borough manager for Colwyn at a council meeting last Thursday, according to multiple sources. Brown, a Democrat, has previously served as both a councilwoman and mayor of Darby, often during chaotic times.