70 years ago

december 15. 1949

The Marion area is one of many sites considered as a location for the proposed Air Force Academy.

Last week the Marion Chamber of Commerce received a letter from the Air Force similar to ones received by other cities in the vicinity concerning the forthcoming selection of the site.

At a meeting held Monday night, Max Jackson, popular young Marion businessman, was elected president of the local Chamber of Commerce for the coming year. Jackson will be assisted by L.L. Hadsell who was elected vice president.

In a joint meeting between the hospital board and school board Wednesday night, an agreement was reached whereby the school board purchased the former Clara Duncan home and adjoining grounds on South Lincoln from the hospital association.

The area is to be used as the location for the new gymnasium and vocational agriculture building.

C.F. Brooker, probably the oldest living member of Marion County’s pioneer families, is celebrating his 96th birthday Dec. 23.

His experience and memory goes back to the time when he came with the family to Peabody on the first main line train that carried passengers. That was in 1871.