100 years ago 

February 26, 1915

Manteca will probably have a change in the management of the local post office on April 1 when J. C. Wiggin will be replaced by Mrs. G. F. Dryden, who has has lately been nominate d by President Wilson as postmistress. “Cliff” Wiggin has served as postmaster for about five years, starting first in the old Cowell & Wiggin store, later moving the office to his hotel building across the street. The office will be moved to the Odd Fellows building, occupying space in the west ground floor portion.

90 years ago

February 27, 1925

Despite the unfavorable weather, a crowd estimated at 1,000 attended the rabbit drive here Sunday. The hunters marched in a cold, blustery wind and it is believed that many people remained away because of the threatening storm. A free luncheon was furnished the hunters at the conclusion of the drive. A committee consisting of W. J. Rushing, Guss Schmiedt and T. T. Wiggin was in charge of the feed and the grounds and equipment owned by the I. E. S. M. on Grant Avenue, was used for preparing the meal.

80 years ago

February 28, 1935

Committees on the eighteenth annual dance held Saturday night will make reports at the monthly meeting of the Manteca Volunteer Fire Department tomorrow night. The exact amount cleared will not be known until these reports are checked, but it is estimated that the net proceeds will be around $250. The crowd was one of the largest to attend a firemen dance in several years.

70 years ago

March 1, 1945

The Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s first annual membership meeting in two years, held at Marvin’s Coffee Shop last Thursday night, was a very successful event. Nearly 80 attended the dinner, including members, their wives and guests. Wallace Rolen, president, presided over the meeting and the main speaker was Captain Samuel B. Leedom, connected with the Allied Military Government of the United States Army.

60 years ago

February 24, 1955

By resolution forwarded to the State Division of Highways, the City Council Monday night voted to urge the installation of a four-way automated stop-and-go signal at North and Center streets intersection, and manually operated traffic signals at the Lincoln and Yosemite Grammar Schools. The resolution also urged state engineers  to make a survey of traffic conditions at the Main Street and Yosemite Avenue  intersection after the Highway 99 by-pass has been completed.

50 years ago

February 26, 1965

The end of an era in railroading started yesterday as workmen began tearing down the old Southern Pacific depot in Manteca. The SP abandoned use of the depot some time ago and had offered the building to the City of Manteca for one dollar. The possibility of retaining the building as a cultural center or historical landmark was discussed for some time, but no firm plan was ever developed. The once-famous landmark will now have to be remembered only in pictures.

40 years ago

February 26, 1975

Police Chief Leonard Taylor told city councilmen that he did not expect any trouble from the United Farm Workers marchers who would spend Thursday night in one of Manteca’s parks. They were working their way toward Modesto for a demonstration against Gallo Winery.

30 years ago

February 26, 1985

High school students in Manteca can stay in school one hour longer if they so choose, since an optional seventh period was approved Monday night by Manteca Unified School District trustees. The 6-1 vote came after detailed discussion in which Vern Gebhardt of East Union High School contested the seventh period. Gebhardt said that the recommendations presented by Superintendent James Thomas would alter the district’s policy on physical education requirements.

10 years ago

March 1, 2005

Manteca is on a $144 million investment binge. Eleven major municipal projects will have been started or completed by the time 2005 draws to an end. And when everything is done, Manteca will have an abundance of recreational facilities, a secure and ample water supply, a more inviting downtown look, better traffic circulation, the city’s largest shopping center, a cleaner-looking Moffat Boulevard and waste-water treatment capacity to accommodate projected growth for the next 10  years.