February 16, 2007
This is “Our Past
Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. Since before the turn of
the 20th century, clearance sales have brought excitement in the dreary days of
winter for Junction City shoppers, and 1949 was no exception. 67 years ago the
newspapers were filled with ads proclaiming the bargains to be found in our
town during the first weeks of February. You may be surprised at some of the
prices of items, which could have been purchased in 1949. Here are some
examples:
Waters Appliance
department was featuring a Maytag Chieftain washer for $124.95 and Durland
Furniture advertised occasional rockers for $16.66 and genuine walnut lamp
tables for $8.66.
The clothing
stores' ads were really enticing. Hood and Spencer was offering men’s dress
suits for $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 also found bargains
such as - Wash Dresses at Townsend’s from $1.88 to $5.88 while Cole’s offered a
Justin-McCarty polka dot rayon crepe from $22.50.
LaShelle’s Shoes
was promoting a new mid-high heel in blue or green calf for $10.95. Used car
prices ranged from $200.00 for a 1936 Pontiac to $1,625.00 for a 1948 Ford while
a new Hudson, “The only car you step down into, was advertised for $2,402.83.
A large ad
introducing a new flour, “Silver Mist” manufactured for Shellaberger’s of Salina
covered half a page in the newspaper. This new “Silver Mist” flour was
bleached, enriched with phosphate, and in a convenient shelf-rite box and the
advertisement listed 22 local grocery stores carrying the product.
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