Out of the past 11/21/11

25 years ago: Nov. 21, 1986

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is considering placing a former pest control chemical laboratory site here on the nation's list of hazardous waste sites slated for cleanup under the Super Fund program; the site, located near the Mississippi River and close to the former J.D. Streett bulk plant oil terminal, was home to the Kem-Pest laboratory between 1965 and 1975.

The $16 billion Water Resources Development Act of 1986, signed into law this week by President Ronald Reagan, authorizes, but doesn't fund, a number of major water and flood-control projects in Missouri, including a flood-control project in west Cape Girardeau.

50 years ago: Nov. 21, 1961

In the most heated -- and controversial -- election Jackson has seen in many years, R.E. "Bob" Rafferty is elected city collector; Rafferty chalks up 404 of the 1,210 votes cast.

Meeting in the evening at Trinity Lutheran Hall for its annual meeting, the Southeast Missouri District Fair Association hears a report that the September exposition earned a net profit of $7,616.95.

75 years ago: Nov. 21, 1936

Civic leaders of Jackson are making plans for a community center; it is planned to have an auditorium, American Legion hall, and general meeting place for all occasions when large crowds assemble; it will be built somewhere on Main Street or on High Street.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education considered building a gymnasium addition to John S. Cobb School in 1936. (Missourian archives photo)

The Cape Girardeau school board is considering filing an application for a WPA grant to fund construction of a gymnasium at John S. Cobb School.

100 years ago: Nov. 21, 1911

Capt. G.E. Alt last week sold to Sen. William Hunter of Benton, Mo., 2,400 acres of land near Delta, and all in Cape Girardeau County, for $28 per acre; it is said that this was the biggest price ever paid for wild land in Southeast Missouri; the timber of the land has been sold to a Sikeston, Mo., company and will be cut down in the next few years.

Gilbert Stacey of Fredericktown, Mo., is now connected with the Riverside Lumber Co. of Cape Girardeau.

-- Sharon K. Sanders