1946
J. Parr Godfrey, Publisher
Feb. 7 final approval of architect’s plans for the new Royalton Community Hall was given by the village council. Do to shortage of lumber and skilled labor the building will be all poured concert, walls, floor and roof.
Mar. 7 the most successful evening’s entertainment ever put on in Royalton was Monday evening’s carnival, at the Royalton High School gym, turning in a net profit of $1,120.91 to the fund for the new village Community Hall.
Mar. 21 Royalton’s downtown section presented a lake-like appearance the latter part of last week when melting snow and ice, unable to escape through the frozen storm sewer system collected on Center Street, overflowed sidewalks, and began filling the basements of business places. It took four days and many different ideas before the water was gone.
May 9 the Royalton State Bank underwent a complete interior modernizing overnight. All the old cages and grille work were gone, to be replaced by modern glass enclosed counters. This opens and lightens up the entire bank.
May 16 free movie night sponsored by Royalton merchants. The movie is to be shown in the vacant lot next to the bank and will start as soon as darkness permits.
May 30 the annual commencement exercises of the Royalton High School saw 24 seniors receive their diplomas.
June 6 James Wilcox owner of Shady Oaks has sold to Verne W. Smith. Mr. Smith plans to install a kitchen and begin serving steak dinners soon.
June 20 much of the brush has been cleared away at the swimming beach which is being developed on the Platte River south of the Center Street Bridge to the old dam on McGonagle Island.
June 27 C.H. Barrow owner of Charlie’s Café for the past 12 years has sold it to his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Schneider.
June 27 135 acres of land west of the railroad tracks and along the Bowlus/Royalton road has been purchased to build an airport and landing strip.
Aug. 1 Mr. E.L. Stodolka after 33 years in business will sell his garage to Dean Hedland and Walter Hanson. Mr. Stodolka was in business with his brother, Cyril, for 13 years. The brothers bought a tin shop and repair business from Roy Dragoo on August 13, 1913. Later they sold the sheet metal portion to M.J. Schneider.
Aug. 1 more then three miles of paving, including virtually all the traffic streets and Center Street will start next week.
Aug. 1 it was estimated that nearly 6,000 people attended the 17th annual Pow Wow on July 28. This is the largest attendance since before the war.
Aug. 8 highway 10 is to be widen from just south of the catholic cemetery to Little Falls city limits. The old 18 foot slab laid in 1922 will be widened to 24 feet by applying 3 foot strips of blacktop on either side of the present concrete pavement.
Aug. 29 16 Royaltonites enjoyed sight- seeing flights over the town and surrounding countryside Sunday when pilot Dick Stark flew all afternoon from the Royalton airport.
Sept.12 Royalton’s first football game in approximately 35 years will be played September 19 at 3 p.m. on the new football field just north of the school. Be There, Folks!
Sept. 26 a tie and a victory in their first two football games got Royalton’s green-and-white clad gridiron warriors off to a flying start in their football season in about 35 years.
Sept. 26 the Royalton School’s has purchased a P-51 “Mustang” airplane from Army surplus. The “Mustang” was towed through the streets to the school grounds where it will be fenced in and used by classes.
Oct. 3 capacity of the Royalton Locker Plant has increased by 100 lockers for frozen foods. A new sign was painted over the locker plant at McGonagle building.
Oct. 10 work started, in the area north of the gymnasium, on the construction of a garage to house the two district-owned school buses.
Oct. 24 the thrill of a Homecoming pep session with bonfire, snake dance parade thru the streets of Royalton, and a mock burial service for “Long Prairie” was enjoyed by Royalton High School students.
Dec. 5 airport site is approved by authorities and the village is authorized to obtain title to the land for a municipal airport.
Dec. 19 this years Christmas party sponsored the Civic Club was held in the schools gymnasium Thursday afternoon. Do to the shortage of candy this year the children were not given the usual bag of treats.