Holyoke Mills formally opened Feb. 29, 1916 — a day which came to be known as Biscuit Day. Hot biscuits, corn bread and graham bread from the products of the mill were served, and a 5-pound sack of flour was presented to the head of each family. That day, 513 sacks were passed out and more than 3,000 biscuits were consumed, which did not nearly fill the requirement of the crowd of 4,000. Two brands of flour were made by Holyoke Mills, as well as graham, corn meal, ground feed, shorts, bran and all by-products of milling. H.C. Rice of Franklin, Nebraska, installed the mill at a cost of $8,000-$10,000, and E.R. Owens was the miller in charge and his son, W.A. Owens, the engineer. An Enterprise ad from 1935, when this photo is thought to have been taken, claimed “this institution is owned and maintained by our local farmers.” — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin' into the Past
Five Years Ago
Aug. 1, 2013
The Holyoke 4-H Saddle Club and Drill Team held a reunion during the Phillips County Fair on July 27. Twenty-one people kicked off the day with a float in the fair parade, followed by an afternoon of reminiscing during an open house and tin can dinner.
Lenny and Pat Warren’s house at 130 S. Lewis Ave., constructed in 1888, has stood strong since the incorporation of Holyoke. According to the Phillips County Assessor’s Office, only 10 residential structures in the county remain standing from before 1900. Of those, only Warrens’ predates 1890.
Ten Years Ago
July 31, 2008
Melissa Memorial Hospital board members met for a special meeting July 28 to do a walk-through of the old hospital building and to discuss the possible sale of the building.
Citizens of Holyoke will be asked to vote on a sales tax increase in this year’s November Holyoke city election.
An obvious and familiar part of the fair was missing this year — the exhibit hall. Bulldozing of the old building took place in early May, leaving the location of several fair activities and displays uncertain, but fairgoers didn’t seem to have difficulty enjoying the fair as usual.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Aug. 5, 1993
Tim Happs, DVM, joined the Holyoke Veterinary Service staff this week, announced Dr. Darrell Tomky, owner of the local business. Dr. Happs will be doing most of the small animal and horse work. He replaced Dr. Stacy Hudelson.
With renewed emphasis on the Communications Center due to E911 implementation, the County has discussed reorganizing the center so its operations are overseen by a board representing the various types of emergency responders.
Following a July 27 conference call with representatives of the Air Pollution Division of the Department of Health, the Phillips County commissioners noted at their July 30 meeting that they will soon be receiving notification to shut down the incinerator at the county landfill.
Holyoke’s FHA chapter was among nine individuals and organizations recognized July 28 when they received a 1992 Celebrate Colorado environmental award from Governor Roy Romer. The efforts of starting a community recycling center in Holyoke were the focus for the local chapter’s award.
Fifty Years Ago
Aug. 1, 1968
Northeast Colorado’s Border League All-Stars won the Colorado State Babe Ruth Tournament with four wins and no losses. They will represent Colorado in the regional championships in Wellington, Kansas, Aug. 8-11 for a chance to qualify for the Little World Series.
Three break-ins in Paoli late Sunday evening or early Monday morning netted burglars over $500 in cash, along with other small items. The victims were Bob’s Repair Service, Schnieder Feed and Seed, and the Paoli Recreation Hall.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Aug. 5, 1943
At the regular meeting of the town council held Monday evening, it was decided to abolish center parking in Holyoke. This is being done as a safety measure and is a practice carried out by most of the surrounding towns. Center parking is a dangerous practice, particularly on busy days and in the event of a fire when there would scarcely be room for the fire truck to pass down the street.
Colorado turkey growers are asked to help provide 10 million pounds of turkey meat in August and September for shipment to our fighting men on every battlefront so they can have turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.