Looking Back: 1962 - New Worthington gas station under construction

One year ago

A Union Pacific train hit a semi-tractor and trailer loaded with corn that was pulling into Heron Lake BioEnergy Thursday morning. The crash split the trailer in half, spilling corn down the track, but the drier was not injured.

A 1-year-old child in Nobles County was diagnosed with a "very high" blood lead level, and because the level was higher than 15 micrograms per deciliter, an investigator from the Minnesota Department of Health's Asbestos and Lead Compliance Program was to visit the county the following week to check the child's home. Lead was a common ingredient in paint used in homes prior to 1978.

The 130th Nobles County Fair took place this weekend. A Nobles County Truck and Tractor Pull was one of the events scheduled during the fair.

Three young men walked into Worthington and spent a night while on their mission of "The Great American Walkabout." The three men began their journey in California and had been walking for five months so far.

Five years ago

Babe Winkelman, a TV celebrity known for his hunting and fishing expertise, was announced as the King Turkey Day featured speaker.

Pat Wiederan of Atlantic, Iowa, was painting a mural that would be displayed at the First State Bank of Brewster-Worthington.

Story times in both Spanish and English were debuting at the Nobles County Library, with sessions in both languages on the schedule.

The brand new building at the Nobles County Fairgrounds --holding combined spaces for the FFA food stand, the fair board office and restroom facilities --opened for business at the 2007 Nobles County Fair.

The first pie-baking contest at the Nobles County Fair yielded two dozen entries of mouth-watering apple pies.

Charges were filed against two Slayton teens in connection with graffiti found on several Slayton buildings July 1.

10 years ago

An Art in the Courtyard event at the Nobles County Courthouse attracted an estimated 1,000 people to the Saturday event.

Approximately 100 neighborhood family members attended the Worthington Historic District Association picnic on the grounds of Memorial Auditorium. The event coincided with National Night Out activities.

A new Worthington strip mall on Ryan's Road was expected to open within the next month. Two national tenants had signed leases to locate at the strip mall --Dollar Tree and Movie Gallery.

The Rev. Andrew Ritchie was the new minister at Bethel Lutheran Church in Round Lake.

Brett Boltjes, son of Bruce and Vickie Boltjes, Rushmore, designed the 2002 King Turkey Day button. Boltjes was a 2002 Worthington High School graduate.

25 years ago

John and LaVonne Lillie won the Couples Two-Ball Golf Championship at the Worthington Country Club. It was the couple's sixth championship.

The Worthington City Council had a special meeting to allocate $6,400 to Worthington Area Industries for the hiring of a temporary economic development consultant. The person they were to hire was Ed Lambert, an economic development consultant from Wadena.

Playing this week at Worthington's Northland Cinema were: Dragnet, Predator, Superman IV and Jaws: the Revenge.

Katherine Hedeen reviewed Neil Simon's play "Brighton Beach," which was showing this week at the Okoboji Theatre.

Advertised specials this week at Worthington's Gobbler Café included a breaded chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, roll and butter, and salad bar for $4.79; jumbo fillet of cod with baked potato, salad bar and Texas toast for $5.39; and a turkey, beef or ham sandwich with potato salad or soup for $2.99.

50 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Langseth, in offering 30 acres for a possible new Ocheda Lake park, indicated a desire for improvements to be made in Nobles County's largest lake. They were the first property owners along the lake to respond to an appeal for offers of slough property as potential dredge-fill areas. The Langseths' land had been in their family since pioneer days.

Construction of a new $82,000 Phillips 66 service station at the intersection of Humiston Avenue and Oxford Street was launched by Hudson Brothers, proprietor Ray Crippen announced. Plans provided for a three-phase development, combining a gasoline service station, truck and car service stalls and a restaurant in one of the most complete establishments of its kind in southwest Minnesota.

New officers of the Worthington YMCA assumed their duties this week. Lloyd Standafer succeeded Roger Rohrer as president. William Hedeen continued as vice-president, and Warren Gordon as treasurer. Two new board members were S. L. Held and Daryl Fauskee.

Jackson County commissioners adopted a five-year program of road improvement. They authorized issuance of $200,000 in bonds for work on county roads in all parts of the county.

75 years ago

An advertisement appeared for "The New White Rose Service Station" at 215 11th St. (formerly the WNAX station). "For complete car service, stop at the new White Rose Station," recommended the ad.

The three pillars at the Worthington National Bank corner were toppled today as part of the Worthington National "improvement" which included an "extensive remodeling program."

Remodeling operations were started this week by the St. Mary's Catholic parish upon the new rectory, the former residence of attorney E. J. Jones. Fr. Michael Glynn, parish rector, said the alterations would include the glazing of the broad front porch and the addition of an extra room to the second story, which was already roughed out over a portion of the one-story wing at the rear of the house.

At the organizing meeting for the coming year, H. D. Ludlow was re-elected board of education chairman, R. M. Hurlbert was elected secretary and F.H. Schmidt was elected treasurer. Coal contracts were apportioned among the four dealers of the city, in a quest for the proper type of coal for use in the new stokers.