View from the Past

100 Years Ago

City of Fallon in line for free mail delivery: There is talk among some of the businessmen of making an effort to secure free delivery of mail in the city of Fallon. Some time ago, this paper called attention to the fact that Postmaster Likes report showed the receipts of the local post office were sufficient to entitle Fallon to free delivery, but no effort has been made to bring about this improvement. The first step, it would appear, is for the City Council to have the names of the streets placed at the corners, where they may be lacking, and arrange for the systematic numbering of buildings. If this were done, Fallon would be in line for free delivery, unless economic war measures might prevent further extension of the postal system at the present time. At any rate, it seems to be worth the effort.

–The Churchill County Eagle, Saturday, May 4, 1918

75 Years Ago

Measles, Mumps, Prevalent Here: Reaching what amounts practically to an epidemic stage, many cases of measles and several of mumps are officially reported from the office of Dr. Hobart Wray, county public health officer. Dr. Wray said yesterday that since the first of March his records show that 136 cases of measles have been reported, 14 cases of mumps, and six of chickenpox.

–Fallon Eagle, Saturday May 1, 1943

Maybe Ripley Could Use This One: Here’s one that might interest Mr. Ripley of “Believe It or Not” fame. An asparagus stalk found last Sunday on a ditch bank by Mr. and Mrs. M. Madraso, and now on display in The Eagle window where it is attracting much attention, had grown almost into the shape of a bottomless, circular basket. The stalk, about half an inch or more in thickness, measured four inches across and, had it been straight, the take showed would have been 28 inches long. The stalk is covered with literally hundreds of tiny asparagus shoots, which are being kept green by keeping the butt of the stalk under water.

–Fallon Eagle, Saturday May 1, 1943

50 Years Ago

Safety Council Sponsors Bike Rodeo: Fallon’s first Bicycle Rodeo was held April 27 at 10:00 o’clock at the E.C. Best Jr. High School. It was a project of the CCHS Safety Council. Lewis Garlick, chairman, stated it was very successful. Before having the rodeo, the Safety Council members went to the elementary schools and presented a series of assemblies with the help of Sgt. Brown of the city police. The rodeo consisted of a series of skill tests for the various age groups. The first prize was won by Lonnie Reeves. He received a transistor radio, a tire gage, and a certificate to order something for his bicycle.

–Fallon Eagle Standard, Friday May 3, 1968

A view from the past ... Stories from the Churchill County Museum and Archives, researched and compiled by Brianna Silver, Churchill County Museum Assistant.