Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bluff City News

Here are some of the positive things about the recent ice storms. Many of us have got some much needed exercise removing tree limbs. We should have much cleaner refrigerators now. There will be fewer leaves to rake next fall. There is an abundance of firewood to be found. The economy was stimulated, because of all the heaters, generators, chain saws, candles, batteries and other things we had to buy.

Funeral services for Edith Bever were Friday, Jan. 12, with burial in the old part of Bluff City Cemetery. She was the widow of Clyde Bever.

I don't have much news to report this week, so I guess it's time for another history lesson.

Here are some things that happened in the year 1964.

The Possum Trot Line was adding a new locomotive, which would carry passengers on the 46-mile round trip from Reader to Waterloo. Many of us can remember the sound of the steam whistle as the train made its way through Caney Creek bottoms.

The Norwood Starnes Landing opened on White Oak Lake at the site of the present White Oak Lake State Park.

The new Nevada County courthouse was completed at a cost of $300,000. Mr. R. P. Hamby spoke at the dedication on Dec. 12, 1964, and mentioned that the first brick courthouse at that location was built in 1884. It was torn down in 1911 and replaced with a beautiful structure that most of us remember. A picture of that building is found on the front of the Picayune as part of the flag. That building was used until 1964 and was razed to make way for the present courthouse. I think the old one was much prettier.

The town clock was installed on the courthouse lawn in 1964. It was donated by the Bank of Prescott. It had been a familiar timepiece used by citizens for about 50 years.

This was also the year that the Nevada County Hospital was being constructed.

Washington Irving once said, "There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place."

What changes are awaiting us in the year 2001?