Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press from Dec. 6-12.
40 years ago
Dec. 6‐12, 1975
An Artesia landmark which was formerly located at the corner of South First Street and Grand Avenue has been moved to a new location on North 17th Street. The house, which was built prior to 1909, according to a longtime area resident, has been bought by Berl Ancell of Artesia, who will refurbish it and make it his family residence.
—————
Allen Garrett, owner and operator of Travelers Motel and Lounge in Artesia, has announced plans for construction of a 32-unit apartment complex in southwest Artesia shortly after the first of the year. Garrett told the Daily Press he plans to begin construction of the apartments around Jan. 15, 1976, if the City of Artesia approves a zoning change request.
—————
Mike Phipps and his six assistants were a happy bunch Tuesday when they learned they had officially been named to coach the South All-Star football team in August next year. Although they had known about the choice by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association for some time now, the coaches said it was good to hear the appointment is now official.
—————
The Artesia Chamber of Commerce was notified today that Artesia has been preliminarily designated as host city for filming a segment of the ABS Television Network program “Almost Anything Goes.” Chamber Manager Harold Baer told the Daily Press this morning he was notified of the city’s selection by Sam Riddle, a representative of Bob Banner and Associates Inc. in Beverly Hills, Calif. The production company is responsible for making filming arrangements for the television network.
—————
Holly Corporation is now planning and evaluating a $6 million expansion project at its Navajo Refining plant in Artesia. Holly board of directors discussed the project at an annual stockholders meeting in Artesia. Navajo Director Fred Hansen explained the expansion project calls for a 50-percent increase in the refinery’s gasoline production capabilities.
30 years ago
Dec. 6‐12, 1985
As reported in the Pinon News: Monday of last week two men who camped at the Avis Cemetery hunting in that area found a note on their windshield from a sheriff saying for one of them to call home. The wife of one of the men reported two men had broken into the home and she had hid from them. They were robbing the home, carrying out everything. She managed to call a neighbor and asked them to call the Artesia Police. They came and caught the robbers.
—————
The sweat of their brow in the classroom will go a little further these days on grade columns for students in Artesia schools – an A will be earned in the future for a score of 90 to 100, revising the requirement for an A down by two points from 92.
—————
Only three lettermen return as the Artesia High School girls’ varsity basketball team prepares for its season opener at Roswell. Leading the pack this year are senior Rhonda Wilbanks, a 5’7” guard/forward; junior Jodi Osborne, a 5’4” guard; and senior Bernie Lopez, a 5’5” guard/forward.
—————
School and construction officials and Lake Arthur students gathered at the southwest corner of Lake Arthur School Wednesday for formal groundbreaking ceremonies to mark official start of construction of the school’s new $1.128 million addition.
20 years ago
Dec. 6‐12, 1995
Artesia’s Michael Rogers led the Bulldog basketball team in scoring as they made their season debut a successful one with a 69-60 victory over Seminole, Texas.
—————
Artesia FFA members loaded boxes of fruit into vehicles for delivery Tuesday afternoon. FFA members sold 2,500 boxes of fruit this year, their annual fundraiser for spring activities, such as judging trips. They are delivering the fruit this week. Ag teacher Michael Hanagan said the total is up 700 boxes from last year. Members Fawna and Chancy Sallee were the top sellers with more than 100 boxes each.
—————
Key players in the completion of Eagle-Tumbleweed Draw Watershed christened the project Saturday during a dedication ceremony by hurling bottles of mineral water toward the dam. The flood control dam, located five miles west of Artesia, was completed last month, and a flood control channel completed in 1993 will protect the city and 7,400 acres of surrounding agricultural land from 100-year floods.
—————
The Artesia board of Education Monday night selected longtime educator Camille George as the district’s new assistant superintendent. “I’ve worked real hard to prepare to have a position like this,” said George, who said she plans “to make this an A-1, top-notch school district.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking Back is compiled each week by Daily Press Community Living Editor Teresa Lemon.)
