Down the Decades

140 years ago

In 1884: Rice Lake is booming. — Judge Coe announced his candidacy for re-election. — Several French families have recently located in the village. — The county poorhouse opens next Tuesday.

120 years ago

In 1904: A new tailor shop is opening in the building across from the post office. — The butcher shops now close at 7 p.m., except Wednesdays and Saturdays. — Several complaints have come in regarding mail delivery on Route 7.

100 years ago

In 1924: The Rice Lake basketball team travels to Madison on Tuesday to compete in the state tournament. — F.B. Rindlisbacher is in charge of the third community sale April 21. — Fire ruined the interior of the Mike Cummings home on Water Street.

80 years ago

In 1944: F.F. Stinn has been appointed chairman of a committee for post-war economic planning. — L.R. Gilbertson was named secretary of the fair board to succeed Sam Haugen. — Missing in action in Italy are Sgt. Vernon Ellison of Rice Lake and Pvt. Amos Beffa of Campia.

60 years ago

In 1964: Curran and Co. of Great Falls, Mont., was awarded the contract for the gas main system in the city. — The Walter Scott family was left homeless by a fire at Cameron. — Voters at Prairie Farm decide April 7 on the sale of hard liquor in the village. — Edna Lampson, Washburn County pioneer, has died at age 89.

40 years ago

In 1984: Bill Hazlewood of Rice Lake made a safe crash landing with his single-engine plane in a mountainous area of Georgia last Friday. — Three gun hostage incidents in 2 days occurred in Barron County this week. — The first day of spring was Tuesday, but 2 inches of snow fell in late afternoon.

20 years ago

In 2004: About 250 soldiers from Hayward and about 250 from Spooner, members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard 724th Engineer Battalion deployed to Iraq last year, are expected to return home soon. — Cameron High School student requests were approved to attend classes at WITC-Rice Lake through the Youth Options program signed into law by the governor.

10 years ago

In 2014: Helen Blumer of Cumberland shared tales of her trip to Cuba. — Justin Harriman of Cameron has exhibited a showcase of the nation's founding near the front entrance of Cameron High School for his Eagle Scout project.