City of Choteau News Highlights from 1962
Teton County Montana.
A 2013 Centennial Project

"Summarized from the Choteau Acantha Newspaper with its permission by Nancy Thornton, Choteau, Montana. All rights reserved." Copyright 2013-present by Nancy Thornton. This file may be freely copied for non-profit purposes.
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Compiled by Nancy Thornton Feb. 26, 2013. (Note, this volume of newspapers at the Choteau library has missing issues.)

1/4/62 Choteau barber Clarence Looney dies at age 79, barber from 1908 to 1952.

2/15/62 Choteau and county civil defense director asks for volunteers to check for radiation after a nuclear attack. 14 buildings designated as possible fallout shelters; Lions ladies night draws 90; Duane Johnson joins F.G. Curtis & Son, implement business started in 1936. Jim Hamilton and Harold Hinman purchase Harold Nelson's interest in H&H Implement Co.; KRTV boosts power to cover all central Montana with NBC color programs.

3/29/62 People park in middle of street to allow city equipment to remove ice from parking areas in the downtown area. Choteau Lions Club collecting items for April 7 Lions pool auction to raise $7,000 for pool filtration.

4/5/62 Choteau contractor Bob Swortzel wins $250,000 waterline contract for Shelby. City Clerk James Sulgrove will advertise for bids for new fire truck.

4/19/62 Annual sunrise service on Priest Butte set for Easter Sunday. Businesses close from noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday. Choteau Coast to Coast celebrates first anniversary under management of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Master; Choteau Jaycees elect officers: Pres. Don Arensmeyer, 1st VP Ron Hinman, 2nd VP Jerry Nordquist, Sec. Dr. W.E. Cherry, Tres. Les Arensmeyer, and director LaVerne Murr; Chamber sets Crazy Day for July 14; Western Star Motel (now New Song Church) to double in size, Al Hensley owner.

4/26/62 Egg Hunt, 2,200 colored eggs on courthouse lawn.

5/10/62 June referendum to decide whether to buy fire truck.

6/7/62 Saw mill to be located three miles north of Choteau, Pat Hume owner; 75 wrangles attend High school rodeo, Helgeson's Radio & TV service opens (Harold).

8/9/62 Council tables zoning amendment that would have allowed construction of professional buildings in residential areas. Mayor is D.F. Fabrick.

8/23/62 Bond's Grocery new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stott, name to change to Lee's Grocery. Glen Willow annual Bateman Picnic, (Photo). Redecoration of Choteau House, refaced about halfway up, Henry Bouma, owner. Glen's Radio & TV shop converted to Wes Cherry's meat market. Petition started for county to buy three city lots south of rest home so it can expand. Frontier Motel has new owner Margaret Stewart.

8/30/62 Sawmill delayed until spring. Choteau school enrollment 742. first and second readings pass of zoning ordinance re: prof. buildings in residential districts. Bar closing hours moved back to midnight.

9/6/62 Council passes two zoning ordinances, and gave 90-day extension for bar hours to 2 a.m. Professional buildings of limited size will be built in residential districts, single owners cannot prevent the council from granting a zoning exception. Cherry's Meat Market will open Sept. 8 at former location of Glen's Radio and TV in Choteau.

9/20/62 B&B Café owner R.W. Brown sells to new owner Paul Lee; Chamber discusses relocation of garbage dump to eliminate the settling of smoke in the city and allow further development of camping areas on Spring Creek.

9/27/ 62 Lions pool carnival best show in years. Queen Rebekah Lodge No. 31 presents 40-year veteran membership jewels to Mrs. Gertie Peebles, Mrs. Bessie Joy, Mrs. Alberta Passmore, and Mrs. Cora Miller. Paul's (Miller) Meat Market has grand opening (replaced Wes Cherry.) Choteau Electric has first anniversary sale (owners James and Jean Smith).

10/11/62 Gov. Tim Babcock speaks at Teton County Republican rally. Firemen douse city dump blaze. Nursing home addition $200,000 bond sent to voters Nov. 6 after petition qualified with enough registered electors, similar to election defeated in 1960 to construct addition to county hospital and furnish same. Eighty attend Taxorama meeting, James Crawford, president of Teton County Taxpayers Association, promotes plan to build private nursing home. Two buildings get facelifts: Eddy's (Schumacher) Barber Shop and Self Service Dry Cleaners and Helgeson's Radio and TV service.

10/18/62 Zoning amendment to be put to voters re: professionally buildings in residential zone, petition filed for same.

10/25/62 Cuban missile crisis noted, community concerned. Murr says to retreat to basements if nuclear attack occurs. Plans unveiled for proposed 24-bed nursing home to replace wooden structure. Cost $333,000 of Hill-Burton funds and $200,000 bond. Four Choteau men earn private pilot's licenses: Tom Evensen, Dick Arensmeyer, Leonard Blixrud, and Harold Hinman.

11/8/62 Council instructed City Clerk James Sulgrove to blow fire siren at noon each day excepting Sundays to prevent bird nests from clogging it. Fire chief is Bud Taylor. Mayor is D.F. Fabrick. Choteau stores have late hours on Friday nights to accommodate Christmas shoppers.

11/15/62 A total of 325 parents, leaders and 4H Club members attend annual recognition event in Choteau. Council to decide on permanent bar closing hours at Nov. 19 meeting, currently 2 a.m. under a 90-day extension. Council postpones action to put new fire hall door and ramp on north side until then city will use west door for new fire truck. Season tickets on sale for Choteau High School band and choir.

11/22/62 Hurricane force winds leave a large trail of damage. 75-85 mph wind with gusts to 100 mph. Entire city blacked out. Six inches of snow then falls. High school gym roof jumping as much as 12 inches when hit by gusts. Draglines, Bob Swortzel used to secure corners of buildings; each end attached to caterpillars; extensive damage. Subscription being taken to build 200-person fallout shelter. Montana Mineral Feed Corp opens on Hwy 89 south, Choteau's newest industry.

11/29/62 Oertel Texaco Shop suffers major wind damage, gym roof weakened. (Photo) Council continues temporary bar hours (2 a.m.) indefinitely, extension started in May 1961 when missile construction in Choteau area began full tilt. Robert Dellwo assumes ownership of M&R Motors from Tore Reuterwall, name changed to Bob's Ford Sales.

12/6/62 New fire truck arrives, cost $17,480, replacing one in service since 1946. Council negotiates to buy land east of waterworks building from Milwaukee Railroad.

12/13/62 1963 ambulance arrives. (Photo) County voids option to buy three lots for rest home. Bond failed in November. Lions ice rink to open when weather turns cold, club to sponsor April community operetta. Vandals break 70 Christmas bulbs at courthouse; high school Christmas concert boasts 80piece band and 70-member chorus. Fire station photo (Photo.)

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