Out of the past 8/19/11

25 years ago: Aug. 19, 1986

Kiefner Brothers Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau has begun work on construction of a riverfront amphitheater and boat ramps here, the final phase of the riverfront park development; cobblestones are being removed from a section of the riverfront, but some will be used in the amphitheater steps.

University Hall, the Southeast Missouri State University dormitory in the old Saint Francis Hospital building, won't be opening this fall due to declining student enrollment.

50 years ago: Aug. 19, 1961

The grand opening of the Knights of Columbus Bowling Lanes, 318 S. Spanish St., is being held today and tomorrow, with the highlight of the program being free bowling; among features offered by the remodeled lanes are automatic pin spotters, air conditioning, free instruction, shoe rentals, resurfaced lanes, and spacious lockers.

New students from over Southeast Missouri are here to take placement tests at State College for the final time this summer; all new students entering the college are required to take the tests.

75 years ago: Aug. 19, 1936

In a harmonious session last night at Jackson, the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Committee selected E.L. McClintock, Cape Girardeau attorney, as head of the committee for the next two years.

Operations at the Cape Girardeau Foundry Co. plant on the north side began Tuesday afternoon, following its purchase and rehabilitation by a St. Louis firm; the first castings were made on a test pouring late that afternoon; cars of coke and scrap and pig iron have been shipped to the foundry, which will have plenty of work to do filling orders already on hand.

100 years ago: Aug. 19, 1911

The Commercial Club has appointed a committee, composed of W.H. Bohnsack Jr., Sam Sherman, F.W. Morrison, Judge Will Hirsch, F.A. Nussbaum, James A. Kinder, W.F. Bergmann, Al Brinkopf and William Vedder, that will raise the funds and make the arrangements for bringing the famous aviator, Capt. Thomas Baldwin, and his flying machine to Cape Girardeau during fair week.

Members of the Sixth Regiment, Missouri National Guard, from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Caruthersville, Mo., leave on a special Frisco train, bound for the state encampment at Nevada, Mo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders