The Way We Were

June 28, 1923

Wrangell now has an express office, having been duly established here this week with the mercantile firm of Walker & Russell as agents. For some time there has been an urgent need for an express office to take care of the town’s growing business, especially in the shipment of furs. Recently, the Wrangell Commercial Club took up the matter. A cablegram was sent to the American Railway Express company pointing out the urgent need for an express office here, and recommending the appointment of Walker & Russell as local agents. Two days later, a cablegram was received which stated the request of the Commercial Club would be granted and that a representative would be sent to Wrangell in the near future to establish an agency here.

June 25, 1948

According to the Fourth of July committee, the annual celebration will be held in Wrangell this year as usual on July 4 with the Fifth of July an additional holiday. Letters from various organizations to the chamber of commerce, the Fourth of July committee and the city council were taken into consideration and in order not to conflict with church services and Sunday school, the program will not start until 1:30 or 2 p.m. Sunday. Members of the Fourth of July committee Howard Baltzo and L. M. Williams Jr., and city council members pointed out that due to the changing weather, it’s better to have the program on Sunday. If the weather is not favorable, Monday will still be available rather than to gamble on one day being fair and having the celebration spoiled by rain. The children’s parade will not start until Sunday afternoon..

June 29, 1973

The Wrangell city council has authorized the city manager to proceed with the sale of $50,000 in general obligation bonds for construction of a new library. City Manager Herb McNabb told the council at its Tuesday meeting that matching grants for the project are available and will come to the city as the work progresses. The city already has obligated $6,000 as partial payment of architects fees for the new structure, McNabb told the council.

June 25, 1998

Knats, mosquitoes and no-see’ums dashed for their life last weekend as Forest Service interpreters and workshop participants netted, spread and inspected the small insects during the “Bugs on a Grill” program. Led by the Forest Service’s Steve Robertsen, last Saturday’s event was part of the weekend programs providing education and fun forest activities for the community. The insect safari collected bugs from the bushes and air along Pats Lake, 10 miles south of Wrangell, where the mosquitoes and knats were often found in swarms and were easy prey for the nets. The bugs on the grill Saturday morning were those scraped off local automobiles and trucks for comparisons and identification. According to Robertsen, the Forest Service will be providing various outdoor programs for all ages throughout the summer.