Twenty years ago — 1998

Demolition began April 3 on the historic Spencer House owned by Westfield Memorial Hospital. Officials at the hospital refused to extend the deadline for raising money to save the structure. At the time of the deadline, the Landmark Society of Chautauqua County apparently had fallen extremely short of its goal. The Landmark Society had raised around $21,000 and the hospital had raised an additional $10,000. In order to save the house, however, 93 percent of the $675,000 cost needed to be raised by the end of March. If the money had been raised, the house would have been converted into the hospital’s front lobby. The Spencer House, which originally was the hospital, is on the National Historic Registry and was once a private residence.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Fredonia Memorial American Legion Post 59 hosted a testimonial dinner-dance in the clubrooms in honor of Neil McNeight, a 25-year member. Representing Post 59, Mr. McNeight was named Chautauqua County Fireman of the Year at the 1987 Chautauqua County American Legion Convention. He was also presented with the Eighth District Legion Convention and the Fireman of the Year Award at the annual Department of New York Convention. Mr. McNeight has been a member of the Fredonia Fire Department for 33 years, served as chief for two years, and held several other positions within.

Forty years ago — 1978

A ticklish relocation problem in Dunkirk’s urban renewal program will be abated next week when Weiss Hardware moves temporarily to the basement of Sacred Heart Church. The move will take about 10 days to complete, according to Richard Haase, who operates the store with his brother, Lawrence. Weiss Hardware recently announced plans to construct a new building just north of its present store on Main Street. Sacred Heart Church has been vacant for about 2 1/2 years after the parish was combined with the former St. Mary’s Parish to form St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the largest Roman Catholic parish in Chautauqua County.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Co-eds in Fredonia State University College’s Nixon Hall don’t use their lounge during the daytine. They don’t want to disturb the assembly line. What the assembly line puts together are Easter gift packages for servicemen in Vietnam, using items collected in drives on campus and door-to-door in the community. The line opens each night at 8 o’clock and with a crew of about 10 working until midnight, the Nixon girls have packed more than 800 boxes in a week’s time. On March 24, more than 1,000 students voluntarily passed up their evening meal, with the money saved going to the gift campaign.