From our files: Lovell drive-in to open in 1949

100 years ago, July 11, 1924

The Cowley Progress

The soldier bonus bill was vetoed by President Coolidge Thursday, May 15, on the grounds that it was economically unsound and morally unjust. The President in his veto message, a document of more than 2,000 words, declared he could see no justification for enactment of the bill into law and added:

“We must either abandon our theory of patriotism or abandon this bill. We owe no bonus to the able-bodied soldiers of the World War. Patriotism is one of the highest and finest of human virtues,” the President continued, “and it cannot be bought or sold. To offer money for it destroys it.”

75 years ago, July 14, 1949

The Lovell Chronicle

Mr. and Mrs. Al Davis are installing the equipment for a Drive-in Theater on land purchased from Quayle Despain west of Lovell. It is approximately four miles northwest of Byron, two miles from Lovell and three miles southeast of Cowley, built to accommodate 300 cars. The opening is planned for August 1.

50 years ago, July 11, 1974

The Lovell Chronicle

The sale of Bill Powell’s Mens Store in Powell has been announced by owner Bill Powell. New owners are Mr. and Mrs. Rex Reasch of Rapid City, S.D., formerly of Lovell. He is a brother of Lovell pharmacist Phil Reasch.

Preliminary plans for the construction of the $1,450,000 National Park Service visitor center have been approved, according to Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area superintendent Art Sullivan.

25 years ago, July 8, 1999

The Lovell Chronicle

Work has begun on a project to develop a new downtown park on the northeast corner of Main and Nevada in Lovell. According to former mayor Ray Sonners, who is overseeing the project along with councilwoman Dorothy Nelson, the first step in the park project will be to complete a large mural on the west-facing wall of the former Anthony’s building now owned by Steve McArthur.

A foundation for a natural rock wall was poured this week by local contractor Brent Leithead, who donated his time to the project. The Town of Lovell is contributing materials to the project, with assistance also from the Lovell Rotary Club via a grant from Pacific Power. The town will power wash the mural wall, and Roz Harris will put down a primer coat.

Former Lovell resident and well-known artist Harry Engstrom has agreed to paint the mural. A mural in Lovell has been the dream of June and Fenton Wood of Lovell for many years now. She came up with an idea for a scene involving the Devil’s Canyon Overlook in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Pryor Mountain wild horses and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

10 years ago, July 10, 2014

The Lovell Chronicle

Dr. Richard Jones will miss his practice, but he will most of all miss the people. Jones, who opened Family Vision Clinic in Lovell and Cody in 1981, retired June 30 after 33 years helping people see better in the North Big Horn Basin. Jones has sold the practice and the Lovell building to Dr. Jacob Despain, who started partnering with Jones more than a year ago. Now 68, Jones plans to enjoy the 10 acres “up the South Fork” his father acquired many years ago and where he built a home six years ago.