This was Brainerd

20 years ago (1989)

Workers will soon remove the last scars of the Laurel Street fire of 1987, leaving only a gaping hole to mar the city's retail smile. E. L. Menk, president of the Downtown Council, said a nearby building will be sandblasted to remove fire scars.

30 years ago (1979)

The tourism industry seems to be one of the hardest-hit victims of the gasoline shortage, and the Brainerd area is no exception. Weekend traveling is down, thus a number of area chambers met this morning at Van's Caf to discuss options.

40 years ago (1969)

(Photo) Hanspeter Borgwarth and Kermit Aase are shown working at the turkey barbecue sponsored by the Brainerd Rotary Club at the Paul Bunyan Amusement Center. Turkeys were cooked for six hours in a pit 40 feet long.

60 years ago (1949)

Three players from the Brainerd Braves are listed as first-stringers for the North team in the Great Central League All-Star game at Little Falls. Joe Straka, shortstop; Ivan Hoff, centerfield; and Bud Smilonich, right field. Whitey Skoog is a substitute pitcher.

80 years ago (1929)

The Brainerd air field, owned by the Rosko brothers, is located on 160 acres southeast of the city and reached by a cement highway, 13th Street. It is well maintained and features a 1,900-foot, east-west runway, and a 2,100-foot, north-south runway.

100 years ago (1909)

Herman Hub, a machinist employed by the Northern Pacific shops here, drowned while bathing with friends in the Mississippi River near the railroad bridge. He had over $1,100 in his clothing, including nine uncashed monthly pay checks.