Day in history for December 16, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The steamboat Big Concord lost two locomotives overboard in the lake and returned to Buffalo. The boat was bringing the engines to Chicago for use on the new Rock Island Railroad.

1877 -- 125 years ago

The second annual ball of the Fourth Ward Hose Company of volunteer firemen will be held Christmas eve.

1902 -- 100 years ago

M.T. Stafford was elected commander of John Buford Post of G.A.R.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Four Moline places of business, including the Mirror Theater, at 6th Ave. and 15th St., were destroyed by fire.

1952 -- 50 years ago

The famed Augustana College choir will again present a concert of Christmas carols from various lands over the nationwide facilities of the Columbia Broadcasting System. This year's concert will be heard Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 3:30 to 3:55 p.m. over many CBS network stations.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Bob Owen admits gas prices are a little higher at his Moline service station than at others in the area. He tries to keep present customers, and attract new ones, by offering full service and personalized care. Other station managers take a different approach offering cheaper gas, less service, and relying on volume sales. Those decisions are just two factors in a complex process that has resulted in a price spread of more than 10-cents-a-gallon among Quad-City stations.

Back: Available days in December 2002