The brick Amherst schoolhouse was built in 1918 to replace the three small buildings that had been used before the consolidation of three school districts to Consolidated District No. 2 in 1917. The building, which also served as a community center until the spring of 1966, was auctioned and demolished in 1970. No records are available, but Amherst schools may have been held as early as 1890. The Amherst district had a parochial school established in 1909 as well as the public school system. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
Nov. 10, 2016
Melissa Memorial Hospital has added a new doctor to its ranks in family medicine. Gary Metcalf, M.D., D.C., M.S., officially joined the staff as of Nov. 1.
Holyoke City Council approved purchase of the PC Telcom administrative building at 520 S. Interocean Ave. (pending inspection) for Holyoke Police Department at the Nov. 1 meeting.
With the new overtime rule more than doubling what is considered a “standard salary,” fewer salaried employees will be exempt from overtime pay, starting Dec. 1.
Ten Years Ago
Nov. 10, 2011
Scott Murray filled the vacant Holyoke City Council seat after being unanimously appointed at the Nov. 1 meeting. He was the only one seeking the seat, which will be up for election in April 2012.
After giving the password, visitors at Phillips County Museum’s Roaring ’20s night Oct. 27 had to choose whether they were for or against prohibition. Then, pinned with their “for” or “against” button, they were off on a scavenger hunt.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1996
Holyoke Police Department is looking for information on alleged thefts which occurred early morning Nov. 6. According to Police Chief Barry Winckler, a total of $1,200 was taken from the Co-op Car Care Center, Vets Club and The Skillet between 1-6 a.m.
With internet and email availability now up and running in Holyoke School District Re-1J, plans for computer/technology purchases were discussed at the Nov. 5 meeting of the school board.
Local Division of Wildlife Officer Jack Wieland of Holyoke was one of six people to receive a 1996 National 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Volunteer Leader Award.
Fifty Years Ago
Nov. 11, 1971
Completion of planned construction during 1972 and 1973 will boost total plant investment of Highline Electric Association of Holyoke beyond the $15 million mark.
The recently formed Girls Athletic Association in the Holyoke High School will hold a powder-puff football game on the local gridiron Nov. 13. The senior and sophomore coaches challenged the juniors and freshmen coached by Jim Knight. A charge of 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for students will be charged to help support the GAA.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1946
The PCHS freshmen were dressed for initiation on Nov. 5. The seniors ordered the girls to wear gunny sacks for dresses and their hair in pigtails; the boys had to wear their overalls backwards and big shoes. A necklace of sliced onions and a box of shoe shining equipment, with which to shine the seniors’ shoes at their bidding, completed the attire.
The 177,000,000 pounds of used fats salvaged by housewives in 1945 approximately equaled the oil yield of 1,160,000 acres planted to soybeans or the yield of 850,000 acres planted to peanuts.
Bobo the magician gave a repertoire of fascinating tricks at an assembly Nov. 4 for the students of PCHS and the grade school.