Junes Past, 50 Years Ago, 1967

From The Lagrange Daily News

Front Page News: West Point Dam Reservoir Will Be Filling By 1970 – Colonel William L. Barnes, district engineer of the U.S. army Corps of Engineers in Savannah, says construction on the West Point Dam is on schedule, and 11 percent complete. He said water would be impounded by late 1970.

At the annual meeting of the Chattachooche River Basin Development Commission Friday afternoon Colonel Barnes said that the dam and reservoir is scheduled for completion in 1972.

The corps anticipates that construction of the concrete dam will begin in early 1968.

Colonel Barnes said the completed project will alleviate much of the flooding downstream, generate electricity for area homes ad increase the economy of the area.

Foundation Gives $550,000 For Two City Street Projects

Callaway Foundation, Inc. has given $550,000 to the City of LaGrange for two proposed projects.

A proposed underpass will be built under the Atlantic Coastline on Oreon Street with a $250,000 grant given to the City of LaGrange by the Callaway Foundation last August.

On Tuesday night City Council accepted a $300,000 grant from the Foundation to construct an extension of Industrial Boulevard from Whitesville Road to Troup street.

The Oreon Project will extend Oreon Street to intersection with Forrest Avenue on the north side of the Callaway Educational Building. City Manager Bruce Lovvorn says that the City has completed all plans for this project and Atlantic Coastline has approved construction plans. The underpass should be completed by September, 1968. The underpass will eliminate the traffic problems caused when long trains block the intersection, eliminate the bad grade crossing at Park Avenue and mean that students going to Southwest LaGrange School will no longer have to cross railroad tracks to go to school.

The proposed Industrial Boulevard extension will include a bridge over the A&WP Railroad, grading of the road, paving of the street, sewers, a water system and street lights. The extension will cross Adamson and connect with Troup Street at the intersection of Longley.

Retail Sales In Troup Increase $1.7 Million

Retail sales in Troup County for the first quarter of this year totaled $16,960,000, a 9.5 percent increase over the comparable period for last year.

Last year’s sales for the first quarter were $15,248,000.

The percentage gain in Troup is ahead of the overall state gain of 6.3 percent, according to figures released today by the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce. these retail statistics are complied by the Georgia Department of Revenue and based on State Sales Tax records.

Troup 4-H’ers  Awarded Grant By Coca-Cola

The Ruban 4-H’ers, the Troup County 4-H Council and members of the Troup County Junior Sports Club have been awarded a Project Assistance Grant by the Coca-Cola Company, which gives them financial assistance to carry out the group’s suggested plan for community conservation beautification.

Charles Hall, 16-year-old student, submitted the Rubak 4-H’ers, the Troup County 4_H Council and members of the Troup County Junior Sports Club’s proposed project which was selected as one of the best plans entered for judging by some 350 youth groups from each state.

This program is being administered by the National Youth Conference on Natural Beauty and Conservation. It makes available a total sum of $25,000 in assistance grants from the Coca-Cola Company, one of the original commercial sponsors of the Conference.

Marice Duttera, manager of LaGrange CocaCola Bottling Company, presented the award to Charles Hall. The grant will be used for a wildlife and soil conservation demonstration project. More than 50 young people – 4-H’ers and members of the Troup County Junior Sports Club – will participate in the project which begins on June 30.

LC To Graduate Largest Class

The largest graduationg class in LaGrange College’s 136-year history will receive degrees at commencement exercises here Saturday.

President Waights G. Henry Jr. will confer 115 bachelor of arts degrees Saturday at 2pm in the college gymnasium.

Until now, the largest class was in 1965 when 102 graduates received diplomas.

Local Singer’s Record Is “Hot”

A local singer’s record was recently reported by Billboard Magazine to be “one of the hot country singles.”

The singer is LaGrange’s Razzy Bailey. The song is “Re-enlistment Papers.”

ABC Records is responsible for Bailey’s first national exposure. He is one of the first country artists to be released on the ABC label since they started a country music division recently.

Chief McClung To Be Honored

LaGrange Chef of Police T.E. McClung has been notified that an Active Life Membership Award will be given to him at the annual banquet of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia Inc. on October 11.

This is the highest award the Association bestows upon a living person. Chief McCling has served in the police profession for 30 years.

Julia Dyar, a retired journalist, is active in the Troup County Historical Society.