117 years ago
Huron was growing quickly at the beginning of the 20th century. New businesses were being added downtown, housing developments were under construction, and the city was planning new infrastructure. The mayor and city council met weekly on Friday evenings, often until midnight, to discuss contracts, permits, and new ordinances. In May 1909, decisions were made to build a cement sidewalk from the library to Dakota Ave, install light poles at the corner of Frank and Fifth Street, and build a drainage ditch from Ninth Street to the river.
A day patrol officer was hired to strictly enforce the new state law that limits automobile speed to eight miles per hour within city limits. The penalty for speeding was a $100 fine. Other ordinances adopted in May include requiring building permits for all new construction and making the scattering of paper in the streets a misdemeanor, which resulted in a five-dollar fine. That month, the city council also voted against the proposed ordinance to prohibit minors from entering pool and billiard rooms.
104 years ago
The 25th Annual Convention of the South Dakota Retail Merchants Association was held in Huron from May 9-12, 1922, at the Marvin Hughitt Hotel. Merchants from across South Dakota gathered annually to learn new business practices and discuss legislation. During that year’s convention, members attended presentations on topics such as small claims court, business development, effective advertising techniques, and burglary prevention.
The United States Rubber Company showcased a display at the hotel featuring their new line of rubber bathing suits, hats, capes, and scarves. These bathing suits were advertised as more practical for swimming and cooler to wear than the heavy wool or cotton suits traditionally available. Miss Della Moody from Fargo modeled the bathing suit, which had been featured in a St. Paul style show but had not yet been seen in South Dakota.
62 years ago
Mother’s Day events in 1964 included a May Festival at the Huron Arena, organized by students from the homemaking classes at Huron High School. Students created the decorations, organized a fashion show featuring dresses made in class, and served cupcakes they had baked for dessert.
Shoppers looking for Mother’s Day gifts that year could visit the Ben Franklin Store, which offered boxes of chocolates, handkerchiefs, gloves, and white handbags. ED & EB’s Supermarket advertised a Steak-O-Rama sale, featuring sirloin steak for 69 cents per pound. The Starlight Drive-In Theater offered free admission for all mothers to see “Love is a Ball,” starring Glenn Ford, Hope Lange, Charles Boyer, Ricardo Montalban, and Telly Savalas.
Historical Happenings is authored by Jennifer Littlefield, Reference Librarian at the Huron Public Library. The information is sourced from past editions of the Huron Daily Plainsman. For more details about Huron’s history, please visit the library.
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