25 years ago: 1987
The state of Tennessee spent less per person on health, education and public welfare than all but two states in 1985, according to a report released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. By contrast, Mississippi — the poorest state in terms of average annual per capita income — ranks 42nd in per capita spending on social programs. The report shows Arkansas moved up six places in 1985 to rank 38th in social spending. Only New Hampshire and Florida spend less on social programs than Tennessee.
50 years ago: 1962
Sportsmen of Memphis and West Tennessee will soon have a new park in the middle of Shelby County to pursue skeet and trapshooting, rifle shooting, archery, casting and other outdoors endeavors. A group of Memphians, headed by Harry M. Williams, president of the Memphis Gun Club Inc., has formed a nonprofit corporation for the development of the 100-acre park. The tract of rolling countryside is located off Appling Road, north of the Shelby County Penal Farm and five miles from the Summer city limits.
75 years ago: 1937
Eight acres of shimmering water are ready for warm weather crowds in Riverside Park. Nearly 50 ducks are bobbing over the surface, and they may be joined by hundreds of wild fowl during the spring migration. Tables and benches are ready in the picnic grounds.
A contractor for Electrolux will plant some 1,500 trees and restore wetlands near Collierville to compensate for environmental damage resulting from construction of the company’s kitchen-appliance plant in southwest Memphis, according to a proposal that’s expected to receive approval soon.
The Corps of Engineers within the next week or so will issue a federal Clean Water Act permit authorizing the filling-in of slightly more than an acre of wetlands for the Electrolux plant, said Mitch Elcan, a biologist with the corps.
The decision follows approval last year by Tennessee water- quality regulators of a