From Our Files

• Dec. 8, 1949

With the open house to be held at its new location on Highway 18, the International Harvester store owned by The Goetsch Co. was moving from its long-familiar location on “Smoky Row.” The new building followed the architectural theme of many new International Harvester buildings built throughout the country.

A committee of Paullina businessmen judged Hartley’s decorated store windows. There were not as many decorated windows as in previous years, which made the event not as impressive as it could have been. The committee selected winners in two categories.

A trusting soul who was in the habit of leaving the keys in his car learned the hard way, as a person or persons drove off with the vehicle at approximately 7 p.m. and nonchalantly returned it about 10:45. Ten gallons of gas had been consumed and an excess of 150 miles were added the speedometer.

• Dec. 5, 1974

Responding to a request from the Community Improvement Project committee, the city council agreed to have an ordinance prepared authorizing a four-way stop at the intersection of Maple Drive and Central Avenue. It was a primary crossing for school children and the site of many near accidents.

Hartley area 4-Hers elected to the 1975 county 4-H council were Randy Veldboom, Stanley Gable, Sharon Hoftyzer and Janna Bobolz. The county 4-H conference was held at the Primghar school.

A metal building to house antique farm machinery was to be erected on the O’Brien County Historical Society’s site on the east edge of Primghar. The Baker Methodist Church was also to be moved to that location before the end of the year. The Hartley United Methodist Church donated one place setting of dishes on which was imprinted “M.E. Aid.” The dishes were at least 60 years old.

• Dec. 9, 1999

Students at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School filled the back of the school pickup with food collected during a drive held in late November. The 7B class collected 210 pounds of food which was the most by any class. The next highest totals were 178 pounds by 6D and 152 pounds by 6C. The 1,600-plus pounds of food were donated to Upper Des Moines Opportunity.

InVision Architecture, of Sioux City, was hired to draw preliminary plans for additions to Hartley’s fire station. The firm was engaged to prepare a schematic design of the additions and a general estimate of the project cost. At that point, the council would review the documents and decide whether to authorize InVision to prepare the design development, construction and bidding documents. A lump sum fee for those services would be negotiated.

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