Over the Years

50 YEARS AGO
December 27, 1956 — An 18-man delegation from Hillsboro traveled to Bismarck to meet with Gen. Heber Edwards, adjutant general of the N.D. National Guard. Chauncey Kaldor, spokesman for the group, told the general that a site had finally been secured for a new armory in Hillsboro. The proposed building’s location met with widespread approval in the community, which also saw the building as a new public auditorium. The general informed the delegation the project would move forward once the local Guard unit had increased its numbers from 50 to 71 men, or 50 percent of its authorized strength.
Unusually warm and pleasant winter weather made for a Merry Christmas in the valley. A trace of snow fell and temperatures hit the mid 40s during the holiday break. (more…)

50 YEARS AGO
December 13, 1956 — Hillsboro American Legion members “voiced marked concern and displeasure” over the 18-month ordeal in obtaining a new National Guard armory for the city. The post commander was instructed by a vote of the members to “demand” action by the city commission to obtain a building site.
A new fire alarm system was installed in Hillsboro. Since an operator was no longer on duty on the local phone lines, residents were instructed to call 6-5555 to report a fire. The call would be routed to the homes of the fire chief Alvis Rhoman and the assistant fire chief Allen Spittler, city hall and the community hospital. The siren would sound and summon volunteer firefighters. Two long blasts would signal rural fires while three short blasts of the siren would signal city fires. (more…)

50 YEARS AGO
December 13, 1956 — Hillsboro American Legion members “voiced marked concern and displeasure” over the 18-month ordeal in obtaining a new National Guard armory for the city. The post commander was instructed by a vote of the members to “demand” action by the city commission to obtain a building site.
A new fire alarm system was installed in Hillsboro. Since an operator was no longer on duty on the local phone lines, residents were instructed to call 6-5555 to report a fire. The call would be routed to the homes of the fire chief Alvis Rhoman and the assistant fire chief Allen Spittler, city hall and the community hospital. The siren would sound and summon volunteer firefighters. Two long blasts would signal rural fires while three short blasts of the siren would signal city fires.

40 YEARS AGO
December 14, 1966 — The state tax commissioner warned county officials that property value assessments in the county were well below the state average, ranking 47th of the state’s 53 counties.
John and Mavis Nelson planned to re-open the Traill Theatre in Hillsboro on Christmas Day, under a lease agreement with owner Orville Overmoe.
Future Homemakers of America at Central Valley school baked cookies for U.S. servicemen in Vietnam. The girls packaged 63 dozen cookies along with packets of Kool-Aid mix for the soldiers.

30 YEARS AGO
December 16, 1976 — Hillsboro school district voters turned down a $795,000 bond issue for construction projects at the elementary and high schools. The vote was 386 yes to 322 no, not enough for the 60-percent majority needed for passage. Less than 50 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the special election.
In their first year of competition, Hillsboro wrestlers walloped the Lakota “B” squad 56-12, pinning eight of their 10 opponents. Winning for the Burros were Paul Geray, Jay Boeddeker, Les Anderson, Larry Anderson, Jim Meyer, Ernie Vettel, Tod Polson, Dave Meyer, Rob Diehl and Mike Paulson. The Burros forfeited two weight classes, giving the Raiders their 12 team points.

20 YEARS AGO
December 15, 1986 — Willard McDonald’s winter wonderland was ready for another holiday season. More than 1,000 people were expected to venture to the farmstead between Cummings and Caledonia for a glimpse of the lighted display, a 20-year tradition for the woodworking farmer.
The Hillsboro FHA hosted a Cabbage Patch tea for young girls and their dolls.
Mildred Walkinshaw won $10,000 in a Bingo game in Fargo.

10 YEARS AGO
December 16, 1996 — Hillsboro was ranked 4th in the state high school wrestling poll. The Burro boys basketball team opened their season with an 82-54 win over Dakota-Cass Valley North.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church basement was filled with all sorts of Christmas goodies as part of the WELCA’s fourth annual Cookie Fest.
The Hillsboro Business Association sponsored a Christmas lights contest with a $50 prize for the winner.

— compiled by Michelle McLean

50 YEARS AGO
December 6, 1956 — The season’s first cold wave gripped the area as temperatures dipped near zero and the first small amount of snow fell. After a high in the 50s the week before, the mercury dropped to 5 degrees. Light snow left roads slippery.
Neil MacFarlane retired after more than 44 years of service as a Great Northern Express agent. He started as a student helper at the depot in 1911. He worked in Reynolds and Cummings and served in the Navy during World War I before being assigned to Grandin in 1926. He reportedly missed just one day of work in 30 years.
The HHS boys basketball team “thumped” Hatton 46-38. The Burro defense was credited for scoring the second win of the season.

40 YEARS AGO
December 7, 1966 — Hillsboro fire chief Buck Jeffers asked the public to quit calling the fire department after the fire siren sounded to find out the location of the fire.
Pioneer Telephone officials tried to explain changes in the local phone number system. Customers were told that seven-digit phone numbers, as opposed to five-digit, would open the door for direct dial long distance service. Local calls could still be dialed using five digits.
Orwell Holmberg of Cummings was elected president at the Traill County Beet Growers Association’s 18th annual meeting.

30 YEARS AGO
December 9, 1976 — Rev. C.F. Savereide retired after 35 years as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.
Hillsboro School District patrons were to vote on a $795,000 bond issue at a special election December 14. The bond issue would finance a 4,700 square-foot building addition to the elementary school for a centralized library, science room, special ed room and teacher work room and a 12,700 square-foot addition to the high school for a modern gym with seating for 400 as well as locker rooms, a special ed room, a lobby and counselor’s office. School officials say overcrowding had prompted the district to rent space in the armory for phy. ed.
Hillsboro officials expected to increase electrical rates by 25 percent starting in January 1977.

20 YEARS AGO
December 8, 1986 — Traill County township officers voted to support a rural ID system in the county. Sheriff Richard Fisher asked the county’s 25 townships to each donate $300 to the program, which was expected to cost $17,000.
Berg and Juelson Law Firm in Hillsboro merged with Ohnstad Twichell.
Hillsboro High School wrestlers started their season with a pair of wins — 41-19 over Central Cass and 43-15 over West Fargo JV.

10 YEARS AGO
December 9, 1996 — Subs-N-Stuff was set to open at the Superpumper station in Hillsboro. Burger King and the Cenex C-store also planned to open soon.
Setting aside an old ordinance, Hillsboro city commissioners designated a snowmobile route through town. Commissioners also outlawed left-handed turns across a lane of traffic to park in diagonal parking spots downtown.
Shane Husarik was hired as a new police officer in Hillsboro.

— compiled by Michelle McLean

50 YEARS AGO
November 29, 1956 — Hillsboro city officials accepted a land offer from the local park board for an eight-acre site in the southwest corner of town to build a new armory. In talks with state National Guard officials, another site was discussed — on the south edge of town along Hwy. 81. The state also hinted that Hillsboro may lose its Guard unit and funding for the armory because the local unit was under strength and soldiers here could be transferred to another unit.
Halverson Furniture opened a secondhand furniture store in the Grove building in Hillsboro. Owner A.L. Halvorson also relocated the company’s radio and TV repair shop to the neighboring building.

40 YEARS AGO
November 30, 1966 — Hillsboro businesses planned to be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings during the three weeks before Christmas to accommodate holiday shoppers.
Traill County township officers met to form a township officers association in the county.
R.F. Gunkleman and Sons of Fargo and Grandin announced they would contract 100,000 acres of oil-type sunflowers in the Red River Valley in 1967. Oil-type sunflowers were successfully grown in the valley on experimental acreage during the past summer. Sunflowers were one of the most profitable crops in history during 1966, company officials noted. Gunkelman’s also planned to contract sunflower acres for its bird food operation.

30 YEARS AGO
December 2, 1976 — A capacity crowd filled the HHS gym for the Kiwanis Variety Show. The fundraiser featured local talent — Jerry Nysveen, Rev. C.F. Savereide, Vern Messner and Roger Livdahl as a Norwegian quartet; Ed Baumgartner, John Knecht, Harry Eisenbeis and Rev. Julius Binder as a German quartet; dancers Ralph Rudrud, Sue Bugge, Debbie Juelson, Bonnie Harvey, Sue Reed, Judy Tweten and Sharon Wesbrook; and emcee Dr. Don Breen.
Schipper Const. won the city snow removal contract for Hillsboro.
By a 610-604 vote, American Crystal Sugar shareholders voted down a plan to merge with Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Coop of Renville.

20 YEARS AGO
December 1, 1986 — On a 3-2 vote, Hillsboro city commissioners approved a gaming permit at the Paddlewheel to be operated by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation of North Dakota. Owner Ray Gordon had tried for several years to have a local charity operate gaming in his restaurant and lounge but had been unsuccessful. The commission had turned down all previous applications, preferring to let the Hillsboro Vets Club run the only gaming operation in town.
Ilene Kyllo opened Ilene’s Market, a new grocery store in Galesburg, N.D., to serve the town of 200 people.

10 YEARS AGO
December 2, 1996 — A benefit dinner was planned for former HHS principal Rick Alfson to help him in his battle against lung cancer.
Scott Toenies, coach of the Hillsboro Burros, was named coach of the year. His team settled for runner-up in the state nine-man football championship, losing to New England-Regent 23-6 in the Fargodome. Three players were named to the all-state team — Bryan Mueller, defensive back; Peter Mooney, defensive lineman; and Ben Cotton, linebacker.
— compiled by Michelle McLean