Time capsule

As reported in The Columbia News 37 years ago on Thursday, April 1, 1965.

Columbia News to change hands as editor bows out

The editor of the Columbia News has stepped down.

Maj. Robert H. Jackson accepted another position in a field he has much more experience in - educational television. Marion Lee, assistant editor, has been named managing editor.

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"I am not really a journalist," Jackson said. "I felt the county needed a strong paper and I still believe that two years ago Columbia County didn't have one. That is why I got into it."

The paper's circulation has risen from 200 to 1,820 since March 1963. It has grown in that time from a four-sheet paper to a regular eight-page edition and sometimes up to 10 or 12 pages.

State park may become Columbia County reality

Columbia County may be getting a state park according to information from county representative Glenn Phillips. He said a five-year plan has been proposed to expand facilities at the Winfield Cap Site on Clarks Hill Lake.

Currently, there are 25 tent and trailer sites at the Winfield site which has a hand pump for water and the access road is frequently covered with water.

"Those 25 sites are in constant use from spring until fall," said David Bullard, who lives near the site.

The site will be named Mistletoe Veterans' Memorial Park. Nearly $400,000 will be required to develop it over the next five years. If the program is approved, during the remainder of 1965, two picnic tables, a superintendent's residence, a comfort station, 25 more tent sites, two wells and water systems, a boat ramp and dock and a recreation and athletic area will be built. Plans for 1966 include road improvements, a visitor's center, a beach, another comfort station, a swimming area, and 25 more tent sites. More improvements are planned for 1967.

New restaurant opening at lake

A new restaurant, built by Mickey McGuire, is scheduled to open in Keg Creek next week.

The Keg Creek restaurant will be operated by J.L. Turner, owner of the Dixie Pig Restaurant in Augusta, will specialize in fresh seafood, catfish, barbecue and the usual steaks and chops. It will be open day and night over weekends to accommodate fishermen.

"We are going to offer picnic lunches for families," Turner said. "Chicken, sandwiches, anything they want. We'll pack it up and they can take it wherever they want."