Thirty years ago — 1994

It appeared a good possibility this morning that the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk will become Chautauqua County government’s unified north county office building. However, the OBSERVER has learned it could cost the county upwards of $1 million to acquire and adapt the building. This could be offset by savings on money now paid to lease several offices in the Dunkirk area and by the sale of the former Lucas Avenue DiRusso building, a one-time supermarket.

Forty years ago — 1984

Fredonia artist Ruth Shokoff is among the artists represented in the 27th annual Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art. Her drawing, “Penelope’s Web at Dusk” was one of 91 works selected from among 2,041 entries from 49 states. The juror for the show was Randolph Williams of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Fifty years ago — 1974

Arson is suspected as the cause of a recent fire on the 300 block of Main Street in Dunkirk’s business section which caused around $100,000 in damages. Over 3,000 persons gathered to watch the fire.