July 6, 2007

50 YEARS AGO
July 4, 1957 — After months of indecision and delay, the new Hillsboro National Guard Armory was expected to be under construction before the end of the month. The building was estimated to cost $208,000 with the city paying about $36,000 toward the project, which was a joint effort of local, state and federal funds.
The Banner featured photos from one of the 1,200 sugar beet farms in the Red River Valley, noting the use of new mechanical thinners. Growers had planted 95,000 acres of beets this spring, a 10-percent increase over the 1956 crop.
40 YEARS AGO
July 5, 1967 — Construction was completed on a hangar and office building at the new Hillsboro Municipal Airport. Two landing strips had been in use for several months. The airport was located on land leased from Fred Downs a mile southeast of Hillsboro.
The Hillsboro swimming pool was closed due to a leak. Repairs were underway.
There were 185 Traill County farmers who earned income from dairy cattle. As of January 1, 1967 there were 2,600 dairy cows in the county and they generated $549,328 from the sale of milk and cream for local farmers.
Marsden’s Fairway advertised four quarts of Dad’s root beer for 89 cents and a pound of bologna for 49 cents.
30 YEARS AGO
July 7, 1977 — Eleven farmers in Bohnsack Township sued the Traill County commission for changing the county’s paving priority list. After public pressure, commissioners had voted to move County Road 9 higher on the list and drop County Road 1 lower on the list. The state had agreed to take over all maintenance costs on CR9 once the paving was complete. Residents who objected to the change charged that commissioners were “going back on their word.”
Hillsboro’s shoe repair man, Oscar Nelson, announced he would retire after 41 years at the cobbler’s bench.
For the first time in history, Traill County’s proposed annual budget exceeded the $2 million mark. The 1976 proposed budget was $1.9 million but only $1.3 million was actually spent.
20 YEARS AGO
July 6, 1987 — Victor Scholand of Reynolds was marketing his livestock feed, Bison Cubes, a “hay-in-the bag” product made from dried, chopped and compressed alfalfa.
Dr. Rich Martin joined the MeritCare Clinic staff in Hillsboro.
10 YEARS AGO
July 5, 1997 — Ed Beyer, long-time teacher and coach at Hillsboro High School , was honored as the National High School Athletic Coaches Association boys basketball Coach of the Year.
Farmers were praying for rain at the start of June but by the end of the month they were looking for fair skies. Heavy rains — two to three inches at a time — had hit the area repeatedly accompanied by scattered hail, strong winds and the threat of tornadoes.
Contractors started work on a chip seal project for the streets of Hillsboro.
Eighty-three year old Ray Mueller was one of the contestants in the annual antique tractor pull in Hillsboro.

— compiled by Michelle McLean