Our Past Is Present February 26, 2018

February 26, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            This morning’s program will be about many of the February Clearance Sales in Junction City stores in 1949. Newspapers were filled with ads proclaiming bargains available to the wise shoppers. Here are some examples:

            Waters Appliance Department was featuring a Maytag Chieftain Washer for $124.95 and Durland’s Furniture advertised occasional rockers for $16.66.  They also had genuine walnut lamp tables on sale for only $8.66.

            The clothing stores also had some impressive ads in 1949.  Hood and Spencer’s Men’s Store was offering men’s dress suits from $21.95 to $42.95, leather jackets from $5.95 to $15.00, neckties were 3 for $1.00 and socks were 2 pair for .29 cents. 

            The ladies had similar bargains presented to them at Townsend’s Department Store where they could purchase washable dresses from $1.88 to $5.88.  Cole’s offered Justin-McCarty polka dot rayon crepe for $22.50.  LaShelle’s Shoe Store was promoting a new mid-high heel in blue or green calf for only $10.94. 

            Well, here are some prices for cars at local dealerships in Junction City in 1949.  Used car prices ranged from $200.00 for a 1936 Pontiac to $1,625.00 for a 1948 Ford.  A new Hudson, the only car you step down into” was advertised for $2,402.83.

            There was a large ad introducing a new flour called “Silver Mist”, which was manufactured by Shellaberger’s Mills of Salina.  The ad covered half a page in the newspaper.  This new “Silver Mist” flour was bleached and enriched in a convenient shelf-rite box.  There were 22 local grocery stores that carried the product. 

  Pontiac and Hudson cars aren’t even made any more.  However, I am sure our listeners are budget minded, ad-reading, coupon clipping, bargain hunters, who watch for those special bargains and make use of all the discounts available to them.  Some of these products from the past ARE present, but the prices… well maybe not so much.

            Thanks for reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.