Out of the past 3/2/09

25 years ago: March 2, 1984

A controversy is brewing over the replacement of windows at the Common Pleas Courthouse, with members of the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau claiming plans for window replacements are historically improper; the County Court wants to replace 55 original windows with newer, more energy-efficient windows.

Home Savings of America, a Los Angeles-based federal savings and loan association, plans to open a branch facility at Cape Girardeau, pending approval by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board.

50 years ago: March 2, 1959

Construction of a building to house a new bowling alley on Minnesota Street, between William and Independence streets, is started; the building is being erected by Charles A. Hood, a contractor, who will lease it to Cape Bowling Lanes Inc., which will operate the alleys.

SIKESTON, Mo. — A proclamation calling for a special election on the proposal to establish the city manager form of government here is read at a city council meeting; the election will be held April 7, the date of the regular town election when aldermen are chosen.

75 years ago: March 2, 1934

A movement to provide a public golf course midway between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, which would be accessible to persons living in both towns at a nominal cost, is announced by E.W. McClintock, local lawyer and president of Southeast Missouri Golf Association; the proposed course would be on Highway 61, about four miles northwest of Cape Girardeau on the north side of the pavement, directly opposite the Memorial Park cemetery.

A petition will be presented to the Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday asking that the site of Fort D, a relic of Civil War days, be acquired by the city and made into a park and playground.

100 years ago: March 2, 1909

At a meeting yesterday of the Cape Girardeau School Board, the last outstanding bonds for $3,000 were taken up and destroyed, wiping out the indebtedness on the Jefferson School, which was built in 1904 at a cost of $17,000.

This morning at Jackson, the contractor began tearing down the walls of the old courthouse.

— Sharon K. Sanders