Albany Herald

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or mary.braswell@albanyherald.com.

What was June like in Albany in days gone by? Here’s a look back through the years.

1911

The 3rd annual Convention of the Georgia Federation of Road Authorities convened in the Dougherty County courthouse. Badges were distributed with this slogan: “If it leads to Albany, it’s a good road.”

The Albany Board of Health required all houses within the city limits with smallpox present to be strictly quarantined, with guards if needed. No person was to enter or exit the home until the city physician declared it safe, usually 3-5 weeks.

1913

An inspector for the Georgia Railroad Commission informed the Flint River Cypress Company that they must comply with the law governing the running of their log train by equipping it with air brakes. All mill and logging operations were to be suspended while the work was done, putting many men out of work for up to 30 days.

1914

Work was scheduled to begin on a new grammar school at the corner of Broad and Madison Avenues. The tools and implements needed for the construction were stored at Lockette’s Stable as the architects were in route to to Albany.

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the city had the right to require Albany property owners to pay for water meters and to turn off service when payment was not received.

1922

Summer round-trip fares for those wishing to travel north on vacation: New York City — $58.93; Philadelphia — $53.40 and Baltimore — $47.85. Fares included a train ride to Savannah then a steamship to the port of choice, as well as meals while sailing.

1927

Albany purchased 170 electric light standards of the boulevard white way type for installation in the residential sections of the city. The lights, which cost $13,600, would light up 33 blocks of city streets.

1928

The Albany Police and Fire Departments made a request to the Albany City Commission that ambulances be equipped with sirens. The request was denied.

1932

Albany City Court heard few cases for the month and the session was over in just two days. Among the crimes; operating an automobile while under the influence of liquor ($20 fine), violation of the prohibition law ($15 fine or six months on the chain gang) and fishing out of season (six months probation).

1933

The University of Illinois Glee Club gave two performances at the Albany Theatre. Matinee seats were 35-55 cents, while all seats for the evening show were 75 cents.

1943

The Albany Herald featured a new and improved all-color comics section in the Sunday edition. Included in the comics were Capt. Easy, Major Hoople, Freckles, Boots, Brenda Breeze and many more.

1948

The Georgia State Highway Department reported that the Flint River Bridge, the city’s only thoroughfare across the river, was carrying nearly 15,000 vehicles per day.

1949

Albany’s newest entertainment venue, the State Theater, was playing “Little Women” (in Technicolor). The movie starred Jane Allyson, Peter Crawford, Margaret O’Brien and Elizabeth Taylor. All featured films at the State were enjoyed in great comfort as the building was fully air-conditioned.

1953

A record number of students graduated from Albany High School. Commencement services were held at Hugh Mills Stadium with the 87 boys seated separately from the 85 girls.

1960

Albany’s new Central Baptist Church was still just an artist’s rendering. The cost for the structure was estimated at $275,000, which included an 642-seat sanctuary, two educational wings, a large dining area and kitchen, as well as air conditioning throughout.

1960

The prices for kids’ rides at Tift Park were reduced. Pony rides went from 25 cents to 15 cents and mechanical rides dropped from 20 cents to 10 cents.

1966

The Dougherty County Board of Education voted to strengthen rules regarding deadly weapons in the hands of students. Any student caught with a weapon would have the weapon taken, be suspended and have the parents notified by telephone of the situation.

An anxious female reported seeing a nude female body to the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies were glad to report that the sighting was that of a window dummy.

1967

Albany’s Tanner-Free Rambler Inc. on Oglethorpe Boulevard became the city’s dealer for Datsun, an import new to the area.

1969

College President Thomas Miller Jenkins awarded degrees to 246 graduates at Albany State College.

1972

Most of Albany’s barber shops raised their prices for haircuts as well as other services. At a popular downtown shop, a shampoo, haircut and tonic went from $3.75 to $4.75.

1993

The Albany City Commission passed a 27-page nudity ordinance. Stage Coach, the city’s only nude entertainment establishment, was to begin adhering to the new regulations immediately.

1996

Dougherty County became one of only 20 counties in the state to have a new computer-scanning ballot system. The new ballots replaced the punch-card method.

1999

Stone Cold Austin made an appearance at the Albany Motor Speedway. Advance tickets were $10 for children and $20 for adults. All tickets at the gate on race day were $30.

2000

Gas prices in Albany soared to $1.34 per gallon for regular unleaded.