Excerpts and summaries of local news stories from the pages of the Intelligencer Journal and Lancaster New Era appear in this space each Monday. They focus on events in the county's past that were noteworthy, newsworthy or just strange. Full versions are available on microfilm at Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St.

Also, during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, excerpts from Lancaster's Civil War-era newspapers, as well as new stories, can be found on the "Lancaster County and the Civil War" blog.

25 years ago

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD: Twenty-five years after East Lampeter Township officials designated a portion of Route 30 a commercial zone, the New Era reported on how development had proceeded and what was planned for that segment of roadway.

In 1962, township officials voted to allow commercial development on both sides of the road, from the state police barracks to Route 896. Since then, the New Era reported, the commercial area had been completely filled with restaurants, motels and shopping centers, including $39 million worth of factory outlets.

The 1962 plan also recommended the widening of Route 30 along that stretch — a recommendation that was finally to be carried out in 1988.

The state Department of Transportation was planning to widen the road from three lanes to five, a project which was estimated to take 18 months of work.

Also, the township was at the time considering extending the commercial designation beyond Route 896. (Feb. 6, 1987)

MAJOR FIRE: According to the New Era, an early morning fire caused nearly $300,000 in damage as it ripped through a Columbia Avenue news agency.

The Colonial News building was gutted as the blaze was fed by thousands of books, magazines and greeting cards.  The adjacent Lancaster Kitchen and Bath Center also was damaged in the fire. (Feb. 7, 1987)

75 years ago

EARLY CARJACKING: The Intelligencer Journal reported on a Lancaster man's misfortune while traveling.

A city man had purchased a new sedan which, two days later, he planned to drive to West Virginia on a business trip. He made it as far as Washington, D.C., where two armed men jumped into his car while he was stopped at a traffic light.

At gunpoint, the victim drove the pair around Washington for about 90 minutes before they directed him to drive into a wooded area outside the city, where they stole his money, his watch (which his wife had just given to him) and his clothing before driving off in his car. (Feb. 9, 1937)

TESTING: The Intelligencer Journal reported on an experimental airplane propeller system being tested at Lancaster's airport:

"Plans for the development of the one-bladed airplane propeller, which has recently caused a sensation in aviation, were given a boost with the arrival of a new four-seat Cessna cabin plane at the Municipal airport.

"The ship ... will be used in test flights and other experimental work with the propeller. ...

"This type of ship has won the world's efficiency contest, sponsored by the National Aeronautic association, for three consecutive years." (Feb. 11, 1937)

Flashback Lancaster is compiled from the Lancaster Newspapers archives by Jed Reinert.