1938
E.R. Salisbury, Publisher
Jan. 6 In a partnership agreement G. Tein, publisher of the Belgrade Tribune, became co-publisher with E.R. Salisbury in the Banner.
Feb. 3 For a loan made to the village of Royalton from the Royalton Fire Department Relief Association for $500 made back in January 1924 and never repaid the village will purchase an electric fire siren and other fire equipment.
Feb 10 The new electric fire siren will be installed in the next few weeks. The siren, which stands about 30 inches in height, will be mounted on the lower level of the frame work of the water tower with a switch in the engine house and at the telephone office in Mrs. Catherine Thoen’s home. The siren can be heard 3 ½ miles away.
Feb. 10 Mrs. Bruno (Ethel) Hill has rented the ground floor room in the Graham building, between Rauch’s Grocery and the Banner office, and will soon open a beauty shop. The location was the formerly Broker’s barber shop. The town has been with out a beauty shop for many months now.
Mar. 3 Gilmer produce business was bought by Royce La Coursiere. The building adjoining the Janski potato warehouse, on the south side and owned by Peter Kroll, used by the Gilmer produce has been sold to F.G. Noggle.
Mar. 3 John Dickson bought the framed building near the stockyards and has dismantled it and hauled out to his farm. The building originally stood near the pound at the rear of the fire engine house and used as a jail.
Mar. 24 The Royalton Post office will be 82 years old. The post office was first established July 1, 1854, with Rodolphus Kinney as postmaster. At the time the office was in Benton County, later it was changed to Morrison County, and on April 4, 1857, it was changed to Langola, Benton County. Finally on June 7, 1878, the name of the office was permanently changed to Royalton, Morrison County. Twenty-three postmasters have served in the office during the 84 years of existence.
Mar. 31 Fixtures and stock are being arranged for the opening of the new Gambles Store Agency in Royalton. The store is located in the I.W. Bouck building just east of the post office corner on Center Street. It is owned by E.R. Salisbury and will be managed by Wayne Carter.
Mar. 31 Books from the Royalton public library have been removed from the Mike Skroch hall, where they have been for several years, to rooms in the rear of the Broker’s shop.
May 5 A cigarette butt carelessly dropped against a wall board partition in the basement of Bob’s Café caused much smoke damage to the building and causing the café to be closed for four days.
June 2 A class of nine boys and five girls will receive their diplomas from the Royalton High School at commencement exercises tonight at the school auditorium.
June 2 The observance of Memorial Day, here, was under the auspices of Osmer J. Leigh post of the American Legion, which has carried the tradition begun 45 years ago in Royalton by the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic)
June 9 The Palace Theatre, which has been dark since April, has been leased to L.H. Rasemuson.
July 7 Marred only by a drizzling rain, Royalton’s 1938 Fourth of July celebration was one of the most successful and largest attend with estimated of 2,500 to 3,000 persons.
July 21 James Wilcox has started building a 30X60 foot dance pavilion and recreation hall on his lots in upper town in connection with his new Shady Oaks cabin camp.
July 21 While removing a partition from the old Logan building on Center Street, an old record book from 52 years ago shows the recording of the organization of the Fire Department band on January 15, 1886. NOTE: This book is on display at the museum.
Aug. 4 Dr. A.M. Watson has installed a $1,000 H.G. Fischer x-ray machine in his office.
Aug. 11 Gerald Galley has purchased the Texaco service station in Royalton. The station has been operated the last three months by Carl and Emil Masog, who bought it from Ed Posch.
Aug. 11 The 1938 annual picnic of the Royalton band, stage on the Shady Oaks cabin camp grounds in the north end of town, was a huge financial success with an estimated crowd of 2,000 people visiting the grounds in the afternoon and evening.
Aug. 18 V.L. Paridis has bought the old Catholic Church building on the west side of the railroad tracks and is tearing it down. He plans to use the material to erect a house.
Sept. 11 James McGuire buys the gas station and lunch stand, owned by Adolph Vavra, in lower town opposite the Fussy mill.
Sept. 8 Shady Oaks night club “Royalton’s new fun headquarters” was formally opened to the public last night by manager James Wilcox. The building is a 30X60 feet with warm air furnace and air conditioning. There are three rooms in the back for living quarters. Mr. Wilcox built four overnight cabins earlier this season on his lots.
Sept. 15 An estimated 2,500 persons attended the annual Sportsmen’s Club pow-wow on the Mississippi river grounds.
Oct. 27 The executors of the estate of William Gilmer have turned over the Palace Theatre property to the village of Royalton as a gift.
Nov. 10 An estimate 1,000 – 1,100 person witnessed the second annual Study Club amateur circus. There were hundred persons taking part in the show with 24 acts. Cast members were the Study Club and their families, the Royalton band, and representatives of practically every local business place. All profits will go to the new library building fund.