50 years ago
Jan. 10, 1973
Don McCaulley of Shell Knob has purchased equipment of Staples Construction Company and will operate the business, in addition to building, under the Doo-Rite Construction Company. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Staples, former business operators, will move to Kansas City. McCaulley moved to the lake area three months ago after similar operations in the state of Michigan.
An area historical marker, demolished in the April 1972 tornado that struck Cassville, has been replaced by the Missouri Highway Department. Located at a drive-through McFarlin Park on north Business 37 near the Crystal Caverns entrance, the marker denotes several items of historical interest in this area.
Town House Restaurant will open for business on Monday, January 15 at 6 a.m. according to the new owners, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Davidson. The Davidson’s assumed operation of the business, formerly Crowe’s Dinner House, after purchasing the property at a Sheriff’s Sale last week. They also own the adjoining Town House Motel.
40 years ago
Jan. 5, 1983
An increasing interest in growing of grapes in Barry County looms on the agricultural horizon as a cash crop that could well replace strawberries of the 1930’s. Plans of Bois D’arc Vineyards in the Washburn area will probably be the push behind Barry County eventually becoming a leading Missouri county in grape production. Bois D’arc Vineyards first plantings toward an eventual 200 acres began last spring. This places the eventual production two years on down the line, according to Dr. Frank England, owner. Dr. England this week announced that he had recently entered into agreement to purchase a 17-acre site on highway 112 between Cassville and roaring river state park for possible use for building his proposed winery.
Purdy’s Eagles presented a championship pose for their efforts in the Barry County Tournament Thursday night. The Eagles of Coach Jim Orrell came out of the tourney’s first place seed to defeat the Cassville Wildcats. In the front row, left to right, are: Randy Henderson, John King, Bob Stevenson, John Thomas and Curtis Michael. Back row: Mike Rayne, assistant coach; John Gage, Courtney Culler, Kevin Pozniak, Pat Mareth, Kevin Roller, Dan Beagle, Kenny Burge and Coach Orrell. The Eagles were rated in Missouri 1-A this week in the third place slot.
Cadet Douglas Chapman of Cassville, has been awarded a provisional letter in football at Missouri Military Academy, Mexico. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Les Chapman of Cassville.
A couple of Cassville building projects are proceeding on schedule according to those involved in the South Barry County Hospital and Cassville Senior Citizens Center expansion and renovations. An initial phase of the South Barry County Hospital building project, completion of 18 new patient rooms, will come to a close next week. Administrator Edward Browning said staff members would begin transferring patients to the sew wing on Monday, January 17.
30 years ago
Dec. 30, 1992
Cassville’s newest restaurant, Mary’s Place opens January 4. Owned by Mary Duncan of Rocky Comfort, the eating establishment is located in the former Nifty Cleaners building on south Main Street. The property is owned by R. G. Edmondson. Ms. Duncan was formerly associated with a cafe in Rocky Comfort.
SW District Buys Adjoining 33 Acre Site to meet future building needs of a growing district, Southwest of Washburn board of education has purchased 33 acres and a residence east of the present campus. Dr. Charles Cudney said the purchase price was $93,500. The superintendent said action on the purchase of a former sawmill property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Delmer Stoll, was approved during a meeting December 21. Dr. Cudney said the purchase price would be paid by the district over a period of years with no interference with regular school finances.
Southwest Missouri State University’s fall graduation, conferring 1,003 degrees, included six Barry Countians according to the Springfield college. Events were December 18, at Hammons Student Center. Receiving the degrees: Angela K. Hilburn of Exeter, bachelor of science; Allyson Y. Marsh of Cassville, master of science in education; Cynthia G. Coonrod of Shell Knob, bachelor of science in education.
