100 years ago

July 14, 1916

The watermelon season started off with a bang this week. Manteca melons are claiming the highest figure on the Stockton market. The first load arrived there Tuesday morning, costing the retailer $20 per ton. On Wednesday, a car of Manteca melons was loaded by E. Powers for Yosemite Park. The demand is very strong.

90 years ago

July 15, 1926

The Manteca Telephone Company received a carload of central office equipment Monday, a part of which was the new switchboard to be installed here and in service August 1. The new switchboard is the very latest of its kind made and will be a big improvement over the one now in use.

80 years ago

July 16, 1936

Sometime after the first of the year, Manteca will have one of the finest moving picture houses of any city of its size in California and, for that matter, many cities a great deal larger. Announcement of plans to erect the new theater in this city was made this week by William Peters, proprietor of the Lyric Theater for the past nine years. The new structure will be directly across the street from the present theater on which the home of the late Joshua Cowell stood. Mr. Peters bought this property about a year ago and had the old house torn down.

70 years ago

July 11, 1946

This Saturday night and Sunday, Manteca will be the scene of the annual Pentecost celebration sponsored by the F.E.S.M. A parade and free dance begins the activities and there will also be a free dance Sunday night. Selected to take the part of queen for this year’s fiesta is Mary Coehlo, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Joe Coehlo, and her maids are Celeste Texeira, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Texeira, and Pauline Pimentel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Pimentel.

60 years ago

July 12, 1956

Members of the Manteca Lions Club are once again setting up their booths for the annual Lions Club Frolic this Saturday and Sunday nights. One of Manteca’s most popular annual events, the Frolic will again be held at the city ball park and the usual good crowd is expected. Oscar Breitenbucher is president of the Manteca Lions Club and chairman of the weekend’s annual Frolic. Co-chairmen are Jerry Conterno and C. N. Van Hook.

50 years ago

July 13, 1966

The television antenna that has occupied such a prominent place in our homes may be relocated to obscurity — or wherever the old antenna goes. Modern day enterprisers have discovered that television can be seen without a high antenna. The secret is a simple system called cable or community antenna television. Opposed to cable TV are those who feel it is infringing on citizens’ right to get service that was meant to be free.

40 years ago

July 14, 1976

The Bulletin learned at press time Thursday that contrary to expectations of Manteca officials, Caltrans Director Adriana Gianturco had released a $5.6 billion six-year highway program listing four projects in the Central Valley. The Manteca Bypass was not mentioned in the Caltrans announcement. It is not known whether the status of the local project had been changed.

30 years ago

July 15, 1986

Manteca Unified School District has received state approval for the advance purchase of four school sites, based on student enrollment projections for the next five years. The approval was based on the recommendation of the Office of Local Assistance. Manteca received four of the 20 applications approved by the state board. District Superintendent James Thomas credited good communication between the school district and the state for its good fortune.

20 years ago

July 23, 1996

The City of Manteca culminated a five-month search for a new city manager Monday by hiring Lafayette City Manager Robert Adams. The council approved the action on a convincing 4-1 vote, following a 90-minute closed session Monday morning. But there was far less harmony over an employment contract that will pay Adams $100,000 in compensation per year, plus generous benefits. The contract was approved by a 3-2 margin, with Councilmen Carlon Perry and Wayne Flores dissenting.

10 years ago

July 23, 2006

After a 113-degree day, the high temperature in Manteca is expected to drop to only 110 degrees tomorrow. A predicted overnight low of 76 degrees isn’t too promising for the local population. Ice machines and ice companies such as Jack Frost are struggling to keep pace with demand. It should be below 100 by Friday.