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Januaries past, 50 years ago.

From the LaGrange Daily News, 1963.

Front Page News:

Funds for Dame at West Point Asked by JFK — A request for $350,000 for planning of the $52.9 million multiple-purpose dam at West Point was included in President Kennedy’s record-high budget submitted to Congress Thursday.

This was one of 32 new public works projects involving flood control and conservation recommended in the president’s budget message for fiscal year 1964, with an overall estimated cost of $348 million.

Chamber to Get 180 Acres for Development of Industrial Park — The executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce voted Friday night to take an option on 180 acres of land to be developed as an industrial park.

The Chamber voted to pay the cost of the option, but it will be taken in the name of the city of LaGrange. Details and location of the tract were not revealed until the transaction can be completed.

The committee unanimously endorsed a plan of action under the theme, “Grow With LaGrange in ‘63.”

The first step in the program calls for a meeting with the LaGrange City Council to outline the Chamber’s program and solicit the Council’s support in these efforts. Meetings with both groups present will be held regularly to review progress made by both groups toward securing new industry.

Chamber of Commerce Moves into New Drive-in Office — The LaGrange Chamber of Commerce has moved into the recently remodeled office at the corner of Bull and Main streets.

This modern office, which has drive-in facilities, is thought to be the only one of this type in the nation.

The building was completely remodeled for this purpose by the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation at an estimated cost of $11,000 for the Chamber and leased for a nominal rental.

Open House for the new Chamber offices will be held next month in conjunction with the observance of Georgia Industry Week.

Area Buildings Approved for Fallout Shelter Use — Six area buildings met government specifications on a survey made recently of buildings in LaGrange and Troup County by the Corps of Federal Engineers and were approved for use as fallout shelters with protection factors of 100 or better.

T. L. Arnett, Civil Defense Director, said that the six location approved for shelters in case of a national emergency are: Fort Georgia, 400; Troup County Courthouse, 50; Calumet Plant, 216; LaGrange High School, 320; East Depot School, 154; and City-County Hospital, 1,825, with a total of 2,065.

Supplies and equipment are now being distributed and stored in each fallout shelter. The next step is the appointment of fallout shelter managers who will be required to take special training in keeping with shelter regulations.

$180,000 Street Improvements Scheduled in City This Year — The city of LaGrange has approved nearly $180,000 in street improvement and other construction projects in the $3 million 1963 budget.

This amount is nearly double 1962 and is one of the highest appropriations for street paving, widening and other improvements in the last 10 years.

In addition to this, $25,000 has been appropriated as the city’s share for the proposed new Health Center.

Sylvia Turner Crowned Queen of Winter Games — Miss Sylvia Turner, Troup High senior sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of LaGrange, was crowned queen of the 1963 Winter Games on Saturday night at the LaGrange High School’s physical education building before an overflow crowd, the largest in the history of the games.

Miss Gail Jackson was first runner-up and Miss Diane Daniel was second runner-up in the voting, in which each ticket to the game counted one vote.

Rance Sprayberry Named Outstanding Young Man — Rance Sprayberry, who is active in both church and civic affairs, was named LaGrange’s “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” by the LaGrange Junior Chamber of Commerce and presented the Jaycee’s Distinguished Service Award at a dinner meeting at the Highland Country Club Monday night.

Sprayberry is employed in the Jobs Standards Department of Callaway Mills Company and has made his home in LaGrange since the age of three. He is a graduate of LaGrange High School and LaGrange College in 1959.

Here and There — A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile: “I’ve circled this block for 20 minutes. I’m late for an appointment and if I don’t park here I will lose my job. ‘Forgive us our trespasses.’”

When he came back, he found a parking ticket with this note: “I’ve circled this block for 20 years and if I don’t do this I’ll lost my job. Lead us not into temptation.”