Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated April 29, 2009
It always seems interesting to look at old newspapers, especially the ads listing prices. This came to mind because Ron Fratzke brought us a yellowed, tattered copy of Illinois Valley News dated April 4, 1968. We have bound volumes of the “Noose” from its beginning in 1937, through 1996 before we switched to electronic storage.
But we don’t often look through the volumes, although it could be fascinating. Maybe in my old age I’ll find the time. Anyway, Fratzke said that he found the 38-year-old newspaper wrapped around some records he purchased during a sale at the former James Boys Home on Holland Loop.
The most obvious difference in the “News” of yesteryear with now is the size. The pages then were 15 inches wide; they’re at 12-1/2 currently, a continuing trend in the newspaper industry. Also, the type size that Bob & Jan Grant used for stories looks like 9 point. We use 10.5 point. (Yes, Bob & Jan Grant sold to Bob & Jan Rodriguez in February 1986 in one of those odd name coincidences).
Another also: the makeup is, well, it’s like a patchwork quilt. We try to be more rectangular. And on page 1, Bob Grant used a floating, flexible-size flag (the name of the publication) whereas we keep it at the top of the page and the same size.
The ‘68 black-and-white issue has an ad from the former Forest Lodge Café that was across from what was known as Woodland Deer Park. The ad offers Sunday dinner of roast pork or roast beef for $1.70. The minimum wage then was $1.15. There’s also an ad for the former Ghost Town at the north end of Sauer’s Flat, offering steak and chicken dinners, with the notation that customers could broil the meat themselves. And there’s an ad for Country Kitchen “8 miles out Caves Hiway.”
It’s an eight-page issue, although the pages aren’t numbered. And, of course, right there on the left side of page 1 is Bob Grant’s trademark column, “Cabbages and Kings.” That has evolved into our page 3 “Here, There & Everywhere.”
The back page contains a large ad from the former Gibbons Market, which became Fire Mtn. Gems, and until recently was used by I.V. Fire District as its HQ. Among the grocery offerings: 4 dozen small eggs for 95-cents; bananas, 2 pounds for 25-cents; 13 oz. cans of B&M baked beans, 5/$1.00; and 16 oz. bottles of R.C. Cola, 6 for 49-cents plus deposit. Folger’s ground coffee was selling for 79-cents for a 1 lb. can. Wow.
The real estate ads include 20.5 acres with a small fish pond and a fenced pasture for $10,500 with terms. There’s also a three-bedroom home on 6.6 acres, available for $10,400.
And, oh man, someone was selling a 1953 Ford pickup truck with chrome rims and a “hot” V-8 engine for $250! Dang. Where was I? Let’ see, I think that was the last year I worked for the San Diego “Evening Tribune” before moving to NCR Corp. in Rancho Bernardo.
That’s the only problem with looking at old newspapers. Too many “If only” comments.
(The preceding originally was printed in the issue of April 5, 2006.)
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