A big prison break, grocery are stores low on beef and Intel begins construction in Folsom

When it comes to history, we have a great deal of here in Folsom. While the history books have documented the significant moments in time, there is a there is a hoopla of unique “happenings” that took place throughout the decades that you may not find in those ordinary text books but rather in local periodicals, journals and more.

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If you look back through the years, you may be amazed of what was considered “headline news” back in the day. Folsom Times continues to partner with the staff of Folsom History to bring our community a backwards glance of yesteryear here in the community thanks to the work of Shelby Sorensen and Ria Manchanda

August 2, 1946: Folsom’s Pioneer Festival earned over $1600 for a Living War Memorial fund. 

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August 3, 1983: Intel plans to develop its facility in Folsom, which can create 10,000 new jobs by the year 2000.

August 4, 1911: W.H. Comstock has bought from Mrs. C.H. Schussler twenty acres of land adjoining Folsom on the east. This piece of land is one of the prettiest building spots in this community. 

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August 5, 1927: A statement for controlling pear blight, which has been especially common this year, has been issued. 

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August 6, 1920: The New York-San Francisco air mail requests Folsom to mark an emergency landing spot for its planes.

August 7, 1880: Some few weeks since the grape vines of John Butler who resides near White Rock, were entirely stripped of their leaves by grasshoppers.

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August 08, 1903: Since the big break at the prison last week nearly every newspaper in the State has aired its views on the matter, the most of them laying the blame of the affair on Warden Wilkinson, whom they say is incompetent and does not enforce proper discipline at the institution. 

August 8, 1973:  Grocery stores are running low on beef, and other meat prices have been rising significantly.

August 11, 1933:  A 13-year-old boy was accidentally shot by a friend while they were shooting into a dredge-pond near the Folsom-Placerville Hwy.

August 12, 1992: The Sacramento Public Library is suggesting the closure of the Folsom and Orangevale libraries because of lack of funds.

August 16, 1935: Last Friday, Folsom joined the Boy Scouts’ reenactment of the Pony Express with ceremonies at the Wells Fargo Building and Shumway Business Place.

August 17, 1945: Private Joseph Serpa from Folsom was captured and interned in a German prison camp. After being sent to the hospital for pneumonia, he managed to escape to an American Jeep passing by.

August 20, 1898: The English mining company is now prospecting Mississippi Bar.

Dredge tailings near Mississippi Bar. Courtesy of the Folsom History Archives.

August 20, 1959: A large 500-acre fire caused by arson has finally been subdued.

August 21, 1942: A Folsom resident enthusiastically yet innocently allowed the growth of marijuana in her front yard, believing it was a rare shrub.

August 23, 1890: Matthias Blumer, Charles Geierman, Tom Wilson, and C.H. Kohler disappear by tunneling under the north wall of the prison. 

August 23, 1978: Folsom City Council opposes the razing of the Folsom Prison, arguing that the building holds architectural and historical significance.

August 26, 1998: A state report reveals that Folsom-Cordova sent one of the highest numbers of graduates to community colleges in California, as nearly ¾ of their graduates did not complete the preparatory classes required for California universities.

August 29, 1963: A planning commission has been established to improve transportation and other regional development.

August 31, 1951:  The Army Corps of Engineers will open bids for the construction of Folsom Dam this afternoon.

To learn more about Folsom’s rich history, take some time to visit www.folsomhistory.org or visit the Folsom History Museum at 823 Sutter Street in Folsom. They can be reached for more information at 9160985-2707. 

Above is an Aerial photo of Intel under construction, circa June 1985. Courtesy of the Folsom History Archives.