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60 YEARS AGO

March 26, 1948 — Hillsboro was chosen as the first in a series of talent shows to be conducted throughout the area by WDAY Radio, announced program manager Ken Kennedy. Gordon Falconer of Hillsboro Dry Cleaners was in charge of local tryouts. The local American Legion Post was sponsor of the Friday night “Talent Parade.”

Traill County agent R.L. Nelson reported “a lively interest” in the rat killing campaign slated for the month of April. Cities and townships were joining together in the eradication effort aimed at preserving food and feed supplies. Orders for poison bait would take two weeks to fill, Nelson said, noting help from state and federal services. 

50 YEARS AGO

March 27, 1958 — A rash of grassfires kept the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Dept. busy — in and out of town.

Warm weather and the continued absence of snow saw spring fieldwork begin in earnest. Farmers, especially those south of Hillsboro, has started planting operations.

Materials had arrived to install lights for the baseball field in Hillsboro. The Civic and Commerce Association had agreed to help pay for the “baseball under the lights” project.

40 YEARS AGO

March 27, 1968 — Two dozen contractors bid on three improvement projects for the City of Hillsboro. Low bid for the curb and gutter work was $366,000 and blacktopping would cost $426,000. The low bid for residential street lighting was $59,000. Engineering fees and contingencies were expected to raise total costs by 15 percent.

30 YEARS AGO

March 30, 1978 — Hillsboro city planner Larry Lee called the city’s zoning ordinance “pathetically outdated.” Updating the 1964 city law would define the use of land within the city limits under specific categories such as agricultural, single family, general residential, mobile home, commercial, industrial and conservation.

A community survey suggested the need for more youth activities in Hillsboro. The survey results also included requests for improved streets, more frequent garbage collection, more restaurants, a department store, another doctor, an indoor pool, a bus for senior citizens, a free community meeting room and more parking downtown.

20 YEARS AGO

March 28, 1988 — Twenty acres of farmland left to the City of Hillsboro by the Hjelmstad Brothers would be developed as a cemetery, noted city commissioners. The tract would be divided into five- acre parcels and used as the need for additional plots dictated.

The Health and Humanities Foundation, the fund-raising arm for the Hillsboro Community Hospital and Nursing Home, was just $50,000 shy of its goal of raising $750,000 for a permanent endowment fund, announced executive director Tom McSparron.

10 YEARS AGO

March 28, 1998 — There was little danger of flooding as the spring runoff in the Red River Valley was minimal.

Fair Hills Partners, developers of a 14-unit apartment complex, petitioned the City of Hillsboro for a property tax break. Built on what was once city property, the apartments were intended for low to moderate income tenants.

— compiled by Michelle McLean