Time capsule

As reported 30 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Wednesday, May 23, 1979:

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Growth plan calls for apartments

The development of high-density land development in Columbia County will be encouraged in the existing growth areas of Martinez, Evans, Grovetown and Harlem. That is according to a report presented to the Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission, which says the county will encourage growth around areas with adequate public facilities.

The report points out that the predominant housing unit in the county is single-family residential. Multi-family housing represents only 1 percent of the county's housing supply.

The county's population has almost doubled in the past eight years, and is expected to reach 55,000 in the next 15 years. Three years ago, the mean family income for Columbia County was $11,796, the highest in the 13-county CSRA.

Mailbox repairs encouraged

May 21-26 is Mailbox Improvement Week, and Postmaster Nathan B. Brown urges all local customers to repair and paint damaged mail receptacles in town and rural areas.

"Customers should be sure their boxes provide adequate protection to the mail and are easily reached by carriers to speed collection and delivery of the mail," Brown said.

On April 29, 1903, Ira Collins filed a patent with the United States Patent Office for a two-part, cylindrical mail receptacle.

"Until Collins came along," Brown said, "many makeshift receptacles were used, including tin cans nailed to trees."

During Mailbox Improvement Week, customers should examine their mailboxes to see if they have incurred any damage from weather or vandalism and make any necessary repairs.