STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Matich Constructors and W.F. Maxwell and V.R. Dennis Construction Co. of Colton have entered the lowest of six bids to construct 19 miles of Interstate 8 freeway in Imperial County. The low bid quoted was for $5,986,500. District Engineer Jacob Dekema said the project will parallel existing U.S. 80 between 1.3 miles east of the East Highline Canal (eight miles east of Holtville) and one mile east of Gordon’s Well where it connects to existing Interstate 8 freeway at the Algodones sand dunes.

Present construction will be four lanes, with provision for an ultimate six lanes. Diamond type interchanges will be constructed at the east junction with Route 98, at Brock Ranches’ experimental farm and at Gordon’s Well.

A new bridge will be built over the All-American Canal for the eastbound lanes. The existing bridge will be widened to accommodate the westbound lanes.

40 years ago

Boatwright’s Bakery, a “sweet place” in El Centro for 19 years, has the same tempting goodies but also has a couple of new faces.

They belong to James and Margaret Corral, Valley residents for 25 years. They are buying the bakery, along with Corral’s two sisters, who are in the catering business in Mexico City.

“A requirement of the sale is that the quality be maintained,” said Corral, who stresses that the recipes will remain the same. Added, however, will be “pan dulce” (Mexican sweet bread).

Long-time owners Chester and Viola Boatwright will continue to work with the Corrals indefinitely, and be available to them for consultation.

The bakery business is new for the Corrals: It is Corrals’ two sisters, Irma Magnus and Laura Bribiesca, who will join them shortly, who have the baking background.

The sisters have operated a catering business in Mexico City for about 10 years, Corral said, baking wedding and specialty cakes, French pasteries and catering to parties.

30 years ago

A fire at the Stoker Company in rural Imperial this morning caused the closing of Dogwood Road from Keystone to Harris roads as fire fighters struggled to contain a warehouse fire before it reached pesticides and fuel tanks.

There were no injuries reported although an ambulance was dispatched to the facility at 3390 Dogwood Road as a precaution. Fire trucks from Imperial County, El Centro and Brawley responded to the call for help late this morning.

Employees of nearby businesses, residents and farm workers were evacuated from along Dogwood between Keystone and Harris roads as a precaution because it was not clear this morning if the smoke was toxic.

All of the Stoker employees were sent home immediately as a black cloud of what was believed to be sulphur smoke went up.