25 years ago: Jan. 31, 1984

A proposed drug and alcohol treatment unit as well as other expansion and renovation projects at Saint Francis Medical Center has received approval from the State Health Planning and Development Agency in Jefferson City, Mo.; the treatment center could be in operation as early as 1987.

Preliminary work on the planned site of a Venture store on the south side of West Park Mall has begun; a fence has been installed around the site, and the parking lot pavement is being broken up.

50 years ago: Jan. 31, 1959

One woman resident sustains slight burns on the arm in a fire that destroys the Smith apartment building at 1101 N. Main St.; Mrs. I.D.P. Smith, owner of the concrete block-and-frame two-story dwelling, says the building was occupied by three families.

Indications are that a contract for construction of an administration building to serve the municipal airport will be awarded before the end of February, and work will commence a short time thereafter; Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., board secretary, reports that the Federal Aviation Agency has returned plans for the building to the architect, Harold Long, for corrections and additions.

75 years ago: Jan. 31, 1934

A committee looking for a tract of land to use as an amusement and fair grounds for Cape Girardeau likes the looks of the James-Nothdurft tract west of the city; the 54-acre tract fronts on U.S. 61 and is owned by Lee James, C.W. Nothdurft and Mrs. Iska Carmack.

Dr. Ralph F. Popp, a chiropodist, opens an office on the first floor of the First National Bank building; he graduated in November from the Northwestern Institute of Foot Surgery and Chiropody in Chicago; he is the son of Dr. and Mrs. L.F. Popp of Cape Girardeau.

100 years ago: Jan. 31, 1909

Swapping pulpits, the Rev. A. Kistler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, occupies the pulpit of the Rev. C.E. Hickock in Farmington, Mo.; Hickock preaches in the Presbyterian church here in the morning and evening.

No morning worship services are conducted at Trinity Lutheran Church; instead, the pastor, the Rev. A. Wilder, presides at Hanover Lutheran Church; he preaches at Trinity in the afternoon.

-- Sharon K. Sanders