Twenty years ago — 1998

Gowanda Electronics Corp. recently informed the village of Gowanda that the company will put an indefinite hold on the proposed building site on Townsend Street following its July 20 decision to purchase the M. Wile factory site in the city of Dunkirk. Gowanda Electronics currently operates two plants in Gowanda and was looking to expand and consolidate some of its operations at the Townsend Street site, but David Schaak, president and CEO, felt the Dunkirk site would be more economical. Gowanda Mayor Donald Lazar expressed disappointment in the company’s decision to discontinue the project in Gowanda.

Thirty years ago — 1988

From Ad News ….. Gerard Rocque of George Bentges Distributing Inc. is the winner of a 1988 Chevrolet truck courtesy of Proctor and Gamble’s “Key Hunt Contest” held in conjunction with Chevrolet. The truck is being delivered through Hank Bokman Chevrolet of Fredonia. ….. Dunkirk’s championship high school baseball team was recently treated to dinner at McDonald’s to honor their New York State Championship. McDonald’s manager Sam Baglia and his staff congratulated the team on their outstanding season.

Forty years ago — 1978

The State University Construction Fund has been formally authorized to proceed with initiation of planning for the new $5 million fieldhouse at Fredonia State University College. The project will be accomplished by the sale of Housing Finance Agency Bonds, the normal funding method for State University projects. The Fredonia fieldhouse will include a gymnasium, which has bleachers to accommodate about 4,500 persons, an indoor track, basketball facilities, and an ice rink which seats at least 1,000 people.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Fredonia’s park controversy, boiling for three months, was brought down to a simmer as village officials declared they were waiting for a decision on applications for state and federal aid. If aid is not received, the project for a new park will be dropped. The 539 signers of the anti-park petition originally had requested a referendum on the park, which is proposed for a 22-acre plot between Hamlet, Howard and Seymour streets. Later, it was found a vote would be illegal under the village finance law.