Pages Past — Dec. 18

On this date …

1969: Clovis city commissioners rescinded their actions of a week earlier that set 13th Street as the northern boundary line for liquor outlets. Mayor Chick Taylor, who previously cast the deciding vote in a 3-2 decision, made the motion to rescind. Taylor said he changed his mind after realizing it would not “carry any weight whatsoever” if the matter went to court. The most recent vote was 3-1 with one abstention. Only Don Bonner continued to support the boundary line.

1960: Portales elementary school teachers had compiled a list of 65 families that needed and would appreciate help at Christmas. Floy Wood was organizing the assistance drive, and said arrangements had already been made to help about half the families.

1954: Fourteen floats were entered in the upcoming Christmas Pageant Parade in downtown Clovis. The parade route was set to begin at West Seventh and Mitchell streets, then proceed down Mitchell to West First, over to Main Street and then to Ninth Street, where it would end. All of the floats were sponsored by area churches. After the parade, residents were encouraged to gather at the Clovis High School band shell at Seventh and Main for singing of Christmas carols.

Calling young engineers …

1973: Gibson’s Discount Center, at 1200 W. 21st St. in Clovis, was open nights until 10 p.m. and open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Holiday specials included a Lionel Cannonball electric train set for $17.77. “The beginning of something great for the young engineer,” a promotional advertisement claimed.

From the beginning …

1936: C.V. Steed Undertaking was “serving Clovis since Clovis began,” according to its newspaper advertisement. Anyone needing ambulance service or funeral service could reach Steed at phone number 14.

Pages Past is compiled by Clovis News Journal Editor David Stevens. Contact him at:

[email protected]