This week, we’re going to “Rock Around the Clock” to 1954, where Bill Haley and His Comets dominated the music charts!
RCA manufactured the first commercially available color television set, a technological breakthrough that would transform home entertainment. The initial model featured a 12-inch screen and was priced at $1,000, which was a substantial investment at the time, equivalent to around $10,000 in today’s currency.
NBC’s The Tonight Show was first aired with Steve Allen as the host; Marilyn Monroe married Joe DeMaggio and Elvis Presley begins his music career.
Here’s a sampling of what things cost in 1954:
New car: $1,950
Gasoline: 22 cents a gallon
New house: $17,500
Average monthly rent: $85.00 per month
Bread: 17 cents a loaf
Milk: 92 cents a gallon
Average annual salary: $4,000
Minimum wage: 75 cents per hour
Movie ticket: 70 cents
“Father Knows Best,” starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donohue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin as the middle-class family, the Andersons, made its television debut. The show, which ran for five seasons, is still ingrained in American pop culture for its idyllic presentation of family life during that time.
Here comes The Marlboro Man! Before the introduction of the ruggedly handsome Marlboro Man in 1954, Marlboro cigarettes were considered feminine. They were marketed to target female audiences. Men also wanted to switch and enjoy the filtered and safer smoke. But they did not want to be caught smoking a feminine brand. So, with the introduction of Marlboro Man, men jumped to the opportunity, and this improved the sales for the company.
Plenty of future famous folks were born this year, including America’s favorite weatherman Al Roker, supermodel Christie Brinkley, shock jock Howard Stern, Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Wednesday, March 24, 1954
Ansonia Elks Elect Fontana Exalted Ruler
ANSONIA –Gil Fontana was elected exalted ruler of Ansonia Lodge of Elks at the meeting of the lodge last night. He succeeds Douglas A. Porell.
Other officers elected are Eugene Conroy, esteemed leading knight; Frank Soter, esteemed loyal knight; Richard Bradshaw, esteemed lecturing knight; John Devenport, secretary; Carlos Ajello, treasurer; Emidio Natali, tiler and James Ahern, trustee.
The officers will be installed Tuesday, April 13.
Businessmen Delay Action On Schedule
DERBY – A motion that Derby retail stores remain open Wednesday mornings during the summer months, instead of closing all day Wednesday during those months, was offered at the monthly dinner meeting of the Derby Businessmen’s Association last night at Lorie’s Restaurant and action was deferred until the April meeting.
The meeting was presided over by William Bachinski, president, and followed by a full course turkey dinner.
Two Grass Fires
DERBY – The Storm Engine Company was called out twice yesterday to extinguish grass fires. The first alarm was received at 3 o’clock for a grass fire on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Dunn on Sentinel Hill. Last night at 9 o’clock the firemen went to Smith Street Extension where they put out another grass fire.
Airman Parmelee Member Of Drill Team In Glenn Miller Movie
SEYMOUR – Airman 3-C Robert Parmelee, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Parmelee of 115 Pearl St., currently stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base, Amarillo, Texas, is a member of the drill team participating in the featured movie film of the “Glenn Miller Story.” The film concluded its showing last night at the Center Drive-in Theater in Derby, but from all reports, the picture is expected to be returned to the Valley movie screen in the near future.
The film was taken while Airman Parmelee was stationed at Lowry Field, Colorado. While in Colorado, the Seymour airman met Jimmy Stewart, nationally known movie star, and also saw June Allyson, another Hollywood star actress.
Thursday, March 25, 1954
Firemen Respond To Two Alarms; One Was False
ANSONIA –The Eagle and Webster Hose Companies responded to two alarms last night within the space of 25 minutes. One was a false alarm, and the second alarm was for a grass and brush fire on the Woronovich property on Ford Street.
Adzima Sworn In As Assessor To Succeed Raymond Skowronski Who Was Fired By Mayor Dirienzo
DERBY – Edward F. Adzima, local funeral director, last night was sworn in as a member of the Board of Assessors by Mayor Anthony Dirienzo.
Mayor Dirienzo made the appointment yesterday. Mr. Adzima replaces Raymond H. Skowronski, whose removal was announced by the mayor last week. Mr. Adzima will serve Mr. Skowronski’s unexpired term which extends until January 1957.
Chief Warns Children To Stay Out Of School
DERBY – Chief of Police Thomas VanEtten this morning issued a warning to youngsters to say out of the old Irving School at the corner of Olivia and Fifth Streets. The chief said that he has received complaints of children breaking windows and also entering the old building. The chief said today that patrol cars will check the building hourly and if any youngster is found in the building the parents will be held responsible.
3 Cars Damaged As They Halt For Dog – Truck Kills Canine
SEYMOUR – A three-car accident occurred yesterday afternoon on South Main Street after a north bound truck operator struck and killed a stray dog that had wandered into the middle of the highway. According to the report of police, the truck driver halted his vehicle after hitting the dog, but was not booked. He was driving a New Haven Copper Company truck.
Police said one car stopped to avoid striking the dog, and the other two cars behind that car collided.
Friday, March 26, 1954
Ansonia Homemakers To Hold Dessert Card Party Here On Monday
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Homemakers will hold a dessert card party Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the East Side Hilltop Civic Association’s Community House. The public is invited to attend.
Little League Field House Work Started
DERBY – Work has started on the construction of the field house for the Little League at Little League Field in Coon Hollow Park. The contractors are the P. Francini & Company of this city. The work is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
No excavation was necessary for the footings. The building will be of cinder block construction and will be 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. It will have a concrete floor, an asphalt roof and be one story in height. It will be equipped with showers and toilets.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wiliams En Route To Ireland
SEYMOUR – Mrs. Elizabeth Williams of 90 Humphrey Street left New York this afternoon aboard the Cunard Liner Franconia for Belfast, Ireland, where she will visit with relatives and friends. Arrangements for the trip were made by the Ansonia Travel Agency.
Saturday, March 27, 1954
Ansonia Boy, 7, Almost Trapped In Unused Icebox
ANSONIA – A game of hide and seek almost turned into an abandoned icebox tragedy in Ansonia last night.
Seven-year-old Johnny McCall, son of Mrs. Adeline McCall of 19 Maple Street, found the old-fashioned refrigerator on a second floor back porch at 10 Oak Court a handy hiding place and climbed in. A few minutes later, John Barr, who resides in the Oak Court apartment, returning from Ajello’s Garage with a bottle of fuel oil, noticed the refrigerator door ajar. Fearing someone would bump into it in the darkness, he slammed it shut.
There was a commotion inside the box. Little Johnny, whose mother had once cautioned him about the danger of abandoned iceboxes, lived a moment of terror.
Fortunately, Barr heard the commotion and unlocked the door. A frightened, seven-year-old boy emerged.
The icebox had recently been replaced by a more modern refrigerator and was awaiting disposal.
Knee Injury May Sideline Pitching Ace
SEYMOUR – Prospects of another banner year for the Seymour High School baseball team suffered a severe setback with the disclosure by Coach Dan Heffernan that Dave Brigham, stellar mound performer the past two seasons, will probably be sidelined the entire season.
Young Brigham, who registered nine victories against two losses in 1953, injured a knee in a basketball game prior to the pre-season baseball workouts. He injured a ligament in his leg and has been advised by his family physician not to put heavy pressure on it.
Joseph Giusto Has Enlisted In Marines
SEYMOUR – Jospeh Giusto, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Giusto of 77 Scott Avenue, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be given a farewell party at his home Sunday evening. The young man leaves Monday morning for Parris Island, S.C., for his “boot” training.
Giusto is a graduate of Seymour High School, class of 1952. He was a member of the varsity football squad during his sophomore year while at high school. Prior to enlisting in the Marines, he was employed at the U.S. Rubber Company in Naugatuck.
Sunday, March 28, 1954
The Evening Sentinel Didn’t Publish On Sundays!
Monday, March 29, 1954
Car Snaps Pole, Overturns, 3 Teenagers Slightly Hurt
ANSONIA –Three young people escaped serious injury when the automobile in which they were riding Sunday at 4:40 p.m. went out of control on a curve on Ford Street, skidded, struck a utility pole, snapping it off at the base, then overturned.
The driver and passengers were treated for bruised knees, cuts and other injuries at Griffin Hospital. They were later discharged and taken to their homes. The driver was later booked on a motor vehicle charge.
Hotchkiss Hose Social Held Saturday
DERBY – The first in a series of monthly socials for members of the Hotchkiss Hose Company, their wives and friends was held Saturday night at the hose house, Caroline Street, and was well attended. Dancing, games and refreshments were enjoyed. Capt. Carroll Curtis was assisted by First Lieut. Charles Christensen in planning the affair. The next social in the series will be held Saturday April 17 at 8 p.m.
Miss Matthies To Be Judge At C.A.R. Session
SEYMOUR – Miss Katharine Matthies of Seymour, past vice-president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will be one of the judges for the prizes to be awarded at the 28th annual conference of the Connecticut State Society, Children of the American Revolution, April 10 in Waterbury.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt At Park April 17
SEYMOUR – Plans are progressing for the annual community Easter egg hunt to be held Saturday, April 17 at French Memorial Park. The event is again being sponsored by the Citizens Engine Company.
The committee in charge of the Easter event will scatter some 1,000 eggs within the confines of the municipal ballpark, and prizes will be awarded the boys and girls rounding up the lucky eggs. The hunt will be open to all town children up to and including the fourth grade.