Twenty years ago — 1998

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new highway building on Maple Avenue in Cassadaga officially opened the structure that now houses all the village’s equipment under one roof. The total cost of the 40- by 100-foot structure was $96,540, according to figures provided by Trustee Mike Ferry. The village board is pleased that the new building was constructed without any increase in village taxes.

Thirty years ago — 1988

A Jamestown band is seeing gold these days, but it’s not the stuff kept at Fort Knox. 10,000 Maniacs, a quintet which is gaining a worldwide following, recently saw its “In My Tribe” album go “gold” as sales in the United States reached 500,000 copies. The compact disk version of “In My Tribe” was listed among the leading sellers in Billboard magazine in early June. The Maniacs are the first group from Chautauqua County to ever produce a “gold” album. Lead singer Natalie Merchant contributed to all of the Maniacs’ songs on the album. With one exception, the album features original music by the 10,000 Maniacs.

Forty years ago — 1978

The Chautauqua County Fair dates back to 1872 when it was held at what is now Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia. In later years, Moore Road, between East Main Road and Laona, became the fairgrounds. It was around 1880 when a group of prominent Dunkirk people met to organize under the name Agricultural Society of Northern Chautauqua. Five hundred shares were sold at $10 each.