Julys past, 50 years ago.

From the LaGrange Daily News, 1965.

Front Page News

Callaway Educational Building Opens Monday — The new Callaway Education Building – the most modern facility of its kind in the state – plans to begin operation on Monday, according to A.C. Kerby Jr., vice president of Callaway Educational Association, which owns and will operate the facility.

A part of the Callaway Educational Center, the building will replace the Dallis Street Community Center, the building will replace the Dallis Street Community Center and will house many of the facilities formerly located there.

The handsome Greek Revival building was designed by Sam M. Turner, LaGrange architect, and built by Newman Construction Company. Located about 600 feet back from Dallis Street next to Callaway Auditorium, the building is built around a 40 x 60 terrazo tile open court and includes space for the CEA Kindergarten, the Dallis Street Teenage Club, art classes, band classes, an exercise room, a social room, a lounge, a game room, a sewing room, shower rooms and a small kitchen.

It also contains a full-size gymnasium with electrically operated basketball goals. The gym has folding bleachers with a seating capacity for about 250 people.

West Point Dam Will Generate Power Here in 1970 — Construction will begin early in 1966 and the first turbine will be in operation by 1970 on the $54 million West Point Dam.

Col. Paul W. Ramee, Savannah District Engineer of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, made the prediction here Thursday when he announced that construction will begin at the dam site on the Chattahoochee River in January, although the engineering work for the entire project will be only one-half complete.

Ramee said that engineering of the dam is complete and the contract for construction on the west bank of the dam will be awarded initially. The dam will have to be completed one year before the electrical power plant can begin operation.

Troup Desegregation Plan Gets Approval — The Troup County School System’s plan for complying with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved this week by the U.S. Office of Education.

Letters to parents announcing the freedom of choice plan were mailed to parents earlier this week. Enclosed with the letter was a form on which the parents of each child could express a preference of the school the child will attend next year. These forms must be completed by the parents, signed and returned by not later than Aug. 1.

Pupil transportation will be desegregated at the same time and in the same manner as desegregation of the school program.

The program of preparing parents, teachers, pupils and the community for the changes involved in desegregating the Troup County School System will be continued.

LaGrange Gets Grant — A check for $64,391.69 was mailed July 12 to the City of LaGrange from the State of Georgia, the first evidence of Georgia’s newly expanded grant program for municipalities.

The funds – to be used for streets and traffic control equipment – mark a milestone in the long efforts of the Georgia Municipal Association to bring about such a program.

The funds are being distributed by State Treasurer Jack Ray as provided in the formula law enacted by the 1965 legislature.

Gov. Carl Sanders says this action was “a turning point for every Georgia municipality.”

LaGrange High Cheerleaders to Attend Clinic — Rock Eagle State Park near Eatonton will be the noisiest place in Georgia this weekend, as nearly 900 cheer leaders and advisors representing 89 high schools in Georgia gather Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24, for the state Y.M.C.A. Cheerleaders Clinic.

Cheerleaders representing LaGrange High School will be Mary Jo Mansour, captain; Sandy Hammett, co-captain; Dianne Bailey; Marcelene Bell; Lynn Cosper; Drusilla Funderburk, Beverly Norris and Isabelle Turner. Chaperones are Mrs. George Mansour and Mrs. Woodrow Cosper.

LaGrange Girls Represent Area At Girl Scout Roundup — Dottie Stevens and Ellen Traylor are delegates from the Pine Valley Girl Scout Council to the Senior Girl Scout Roundup.

The Roundup, held every three years, is in the Farragut wildlife area of Idaho. Senior Scouts from 50 states and many foreign countries will camp together for 12 days on the shores of Lake Pend Orieille, one of the nation’s most scenic and interesting areas.

Johnson Signs Medicare Bill — President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Bill in Independence, Missouri, Friday and dedicated it to Harry S. Truman, the former president who “planted the seeds of compassion” 20 years ago.

Truman first proposed a healthcare plan for the elderly attached to Social Security, but failed to win congressional passage.

The signing took place at the Truman Library with Johnson using 72 pens, giving the first two to the 81-year-old Truman and his wife, Bess.