Looking back: Postal rates jump from 3 cents to 4 cents

By The Goodhue County Historical Society

25 years ago, 1983

Jostens Inc. announced that it would expand its Red Wing facility in Industrial Park to accommodate warehousing and additional manufacturing. The addition would increase total plant space to 132,000 square feet. Jostens manufactures custom-designed recognition awards for business and education.

Ten of the 11 Red Wing employees of American Telephone and Telegraph are unionized and walking the picket line, as are 8,400 other Minnesota workers striking the company for better wages and job security.

The Red Wing School Board has decided to go ahead with repairs on the earth-sheltered classrooms at the Energy Center, while discussing what legal route it might take in getting the repairs paid for by the contractor.

50 years ago, 1958

Many letters with 3-cent stamps turned up at the Red Wing post office in spite of advance notices concerning the new postal rate of 4 cents per stamp.

Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Red Wing has converted some of its linseed oil and cake production into manufacturing cattle feed. Introduction of soybean meal production will offset a 10 percent decline over the past two years in the linseed oil business.

The last of more than 40 land appeal actions between the state and landowners for construction of the new Highway 61 in east Red Wing have been settled, according to the clerk of Goodhue County District Court.

100 years ago, 1908

The state highway engineer said he would like to see the license fee for automobiles used by the state highway commission for repairing county roads, including Goodhue County.

A barn owned by N.A. Nord in west Red Wing was struck by lightning and mearly destroyed by fire. The foundation is still intact, however.

Government inspectors will arrive in Red Wing for the annual inspection of boats. Steamboats will be checked, and if they are in good shape, will have their inspection papers renewed.

Compiled using news articles and Goodhue County History Center records.

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