This was Brainerd

July 23

20 years ago (1980)

Brainerd Daily Dispatch headlines:

-- Early census figures show city population decrease

-- School levy election set for Aug. 19

-- June consumer price rise 12.4%

-- Stolski invites 145 gridders to practice

-- Herons thrive at Gull Lake Colony

30 years ago (1970)

Fire gutted the Gibson's Discount Store here yesterday and damaged the entire Iron Exchange Building to the point where it may have to be torn down. Residents of the new Brainerd Hotel were all evacuated.

40 years ago (1960)

Brainerd Daily Dispatch headlines:

-- Heat wave brings 8 drownings

-- YMCA drive near $100,000 mark

-- Ike thinks GOP plank pretty good

-- Nixon flies into Chicago to accept GOP nomination

-- Living cost hits record high again

60 years ago (1940)

Temperature dropped slightly today after a light rain, but Brainerdites were still sweltering in the sixth day of the most torrid siege of summer weather this year. The mercury soared to a new high of 98 degrees yesterday afternoon.

80 years ago (1920)

Brainerd gains its share in the railroad wage increases and the shops' payroll of approximately $157,600 is raised to about $200,000 a month.

100 years ago (1900)

"If the world were stationary," began the great professor. "If the world were stationary," the impertinent youth interrupted, "I would never have to spend a cent for writing paper."

-- Compiled by Bob Turcotte