Updated: March 18, 2013 6:39AM

What was happening in Elgin during the month of February 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago?

February 1913

Merchants vigorously protested a new local ordinance that required lights on all vehicles after sundown. They claimed it would drive the farm trade away from Elgin.

A sleet storm on the 20th of the month disrupted long-distance telephone service and electric power. A thick coating of ice on the wires downed hundreds of telegraph and telephone poles. Every hotel and rooming house was filled with stranded persons.

Ads in local papers this month: Fatima cigarettes (20 for 15 cents), Studebaker cars, Gold Dust cleanser, Mazda light bulbs, and Sweetheart soap.

February 1938

The McGraw Electric Co. closed its Minneapolis plant and began shipping machinery and equipment to Elgin.

Shanty Pask observed his 25th year as a patient at Sherman hospital.

Prices at the A&P food store on South Grove: fresh ground beef, 10½ cents a pound; and porterhouse steak, 23 cents a pound.

Ads in The Courier-News featured silk hosiery, console radios and house dresses.

February 1963

The YWCA board of directors launched a fund drive for a new building.

Local savings and loan associations raised the dividend rate to 4¼ percent.

A circuit court judge ruled that the city of Elgin could use a park fund trust to build a swimming pool in Lords Park.

February 1988

The St. Edward girls basketball team finished second in the state tournament. Over the last four seasons the Green Wave has won 114 games and lost only 15.

An Elgin couple, nudists, appeared in the altogether on a TV talk show.

The city council approved plans for the Oakwood Hills development of 236 townhouses on 60 acres west of Elgin High School.

With a projected tollway interchange in the offing, developers were turning their attention to that area of the city.

February 2003

Work began on Metra’s National Street depot.

Local peace advocates protested a pre-emptive strike against Iraq.

Long a swimming hole, the 90-acre Gifford Lake on Elgin’s far east side was being studied for possible draining.

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