From Our Files

• Dec. 11, 1947

The grand opening of the Nissen Drug Store, formerly Potter’s, featured a special get-acquainted offer of a “2 for the price of 1” sale at the soda fountain. Cyril Nissen, formerly of Estherville, was the new proprietor.

After much discussion, the American Legion decided to buy 14 acres along Highway 18, just west of the Terpstra property. The land was to be developed as a memorial park for the benefit of the youth of Hartley.

Reviving a custom which years before World War II contributed much to the Christmas season, the Hartley Chamber of Commerce sponsored a business and home Christmas decorating contest. Prizes of $25 were to be awarded.

A conversation with good old Saint Nick by arctic phone confirmed that since all the boys and girls (and their moms and dads) had been so very well-behaved, he was planning to make his annual pre-Christmas visit to Hartley.

• Dec. 7, 1972

The town council engaged the services of Kruse, Cate and Nelson, an engineering firm from Spencer, to conduct a preliminary study on a new water tower for Hartley. The existing wooden tank was built in 1898 and had a capacity of less than 40,000 gallons. It was recommended that Hartley have a water tower with storage capacity of between 250,000 and 300,000 gallons.

Approximately 300 marijuana plants were discovered hanging to dry in several rooms of an abandoned farm house north of Hartley. The batch of pot, which was found thanks to a tip from an alert farmer, got smoked faster than usual because it was piled in the yard and destroyed by burning.

A public meeting to explain a proposed nursing wing addition to Community Memorial Hospital was held. Those in attendance expressed approval for the project. The only decision made was to conduct a membership drive in early 1973.

• Dec. 11, 1997

Dickinson County Savings Bank, of Milford and Okoboji, and United Community Bank, of Hartley and Ocheyedan, announced plans to merge effective Jan. 1, 1998. The branches of Dickinson County Savings Bank were to assume the UCB name, with the main office to be located in Milford.

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School Board approved the purchase of two Kubota four-wheel drive diesel tractors from Sheldon Farm Service, along with snow blowers and mounted decks for each. One unit was delivered immediately while the other would be delivered in the spring.

The school board also approved specifications for a 71-passenger transit bus, and an option for a 71-passenger conventional unit. The 71-passenger capacity was determined to best fit the district’s shuttle needs in the next school year. A 53-passenger bus was to be traded as part of the purchase.

From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.