From the Archives: 50 Years Ago This Week

The Romeo Observer, September 26, 1968:

1969 New Car Models! 



The talk of Romeo this week in The Romeo Observer, September 26, 1968 highlighted the new 1969 car models. 




Strangely absent from the issue is an advertisement from the local Romeo Rambler Sales, an American Motors Corporation (AMC) dealership that was located on Lafayette Street. 

Also, strangely absent, was news of the Vietnam War. However, news and accomplishments of local servicemen were acknowledged and shared. 




Just for kicks, I was interested to see how mighty the U.S. dollar was in 1968. The Inflation Calculator at https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ calculates that the color TV purchased in 1968 for $525.00 
at a cumulative inflation rate of 624.6% would cost a whopping 



$3,803.93!


From the Archives: 75 Years Ago; September, 1943

Last week's blog post featured a snapshot look at 1918 and the news of WWI was very much on the mind of Romeo. This week we will look at September, 1943, where once again war is on the mind of Romeoites. 

National news encouraged the buying of bonds to support the war effort for WWII, and Romeo locals took up the task to raise money as well.


The Romeo Observer Press; September 17, 1943



Using the telephone was discouraged--don't you know there's a war going on?





But, pen-pals for the soldiers were encouraged--just make sure to address the envelopes correctly, and don't write about your troubles!





From the Archives: 100 Years Ago This Week

The Romeo Observer, Wednesday, September 11, 1918





With the end of World War I a month away, the war was still very much in the news. A global headline read, "Stiffer Resistance of Enemy Fails to Stop Haig's Army Advance: German Retreat Has Begun to Show Signs of a Halt--Foe Apparently Means to Defend Every Foot in a Desperate Delaying Combat: British and French Armies Continue to Cut Their Way Into Foe Lines."

Governor Sleeper spoke about the war contributions of Michigan at the State Fair:



Romeo had one its own enlist this week, and also highlighted news about an injured soldier. A local lieutenant serving as a physician aboard a British ship who was home on leave described his experiences. "We look out for submarines when we get into the zone...but one soon gets accustomed to the danger."

Life marched on for Romeo as can be seen in the Picked up at Random section of the newspaper:
"Marshal Mellon cautions all auto drivers to see that tail lights are burning."
Also this week, found items include a license plate bearing the number 98184; and a dog, having a license number of 122,547.




Back to School; Do You Remember?

Another Autumn is upon us and it's back to school time. Do you know that the Romeo Community Archives has yearbooks in its Reference collection for anyone to browse? Stop in to look up friends from the past and take a trip down memory lane. 


A few students from the Romeo High School Senior class of 1940


Here are the years that we have available. We will gladly accept a donation of any years that we do not have in our collection.

  • Romeo High School: 1938, 1940-1941, 1954-2001, 2003-2011, 2013, 2015-2017
  • Romeo Junior High: 1967, 1970-1977, 1980-1984, 1987-1989, 1991-1997
  • Romeo Middle School: 1998-2010
  • Powell Middle School: 1986, 1991-1992, 1999, 2008-2010

2017



Yearbook Collection at the RCA