Out of the past 6/11/13

1988

The Sunset Motel, in operation since the early 1940s in the 1000 block of North Kingshighway, is being demolished to make room for a new business, which is expected to open on the site this winter; the new business will offer a new concept in convenience stores.

Developer Michael L. Annis, who planned to put a convenience store at Highway 177 and Country Club Drive, says he'll likely build a house or duplex on the lot instead; the city Planning and Zoning Commission recently voted unanimously not to recommend the City Council rezone two lots at the site to commercial.

1963

Efforts to rezone two tracts for business expansions brought heavy opposition from nearby residents; Cape Ready Mix Co. is seeking to have rezoned to heavy industrial a nine-acre tract near its plant south of Bloomfield and west of Highway 61; Wimpy's Inc., is asking for commercial zoning on the property to the north of its current business location.

Gale-force northwesterly winds struck Cape Girardeau last night, blowing down trees and power lines, causing the western part of the city to be without power for about an hour and a half.

1938

A torrential rainstorm, accompanied by a severe electrical display, rages for 20 minutes in Cape Girardeau in the afternoon, making a roaring torrent out of sewerless Broadway and other streets downtown; a bolt of lightning strikes a chimney at the northeast corner of the Woods Building, at Independence and Frederick streets, knocking out some bricks but injuring no one.

Representatives of Fox National Theaters Co. have been in Cape Girardeau recently to make a survey of the town to see whether a new picture house is needed.

1913

The Western Dye Works, the rapidly growing pressing shop at the corner of Broadway and Sprigg Street, received a fine new pressing machine yesterday and is now able to press clothes while the customer waits; manager of the business is J.H. Metzler.

Contractor John Rouse finished concreting the block of Bellevue Street between Lorimier and Spanish streets yesterday and has moved his gang of men to Themis Street at Lorimier.

-- Sharon K. Sanders