Look Back ... to Sears buying downtown Anniston land, 1949

Mar. 3—March 3, 1949, in The Star: In one of the largest single real estate transfers in Anniston's history, 14 parcels of land on Noble Street have been transferred to the ownership of Sears, Roebuck & Co. Sold for a price reported to be in the neighborhood of $150,000, the parcels represent the entire block bordered by 17th and 18th streets and by Noble and Gurnee. No corresponding announcement was made from Sears' New York headquarters regarding what will be built there, but word might be made official on March 4. Also this date: A group of Anniston residents living in the north section of the city recently banded together for common interests and at a meeting of their organization last night members voted to call their area of residential Anniston "Norwood." The group will be making a formal request of the City Commission next week, and will also ask the board of education for a new school be built for that part of town.

March 3, 1999, in The Star: Gov. Don Siegelman's State of the State address last night wasn't just about the lottery. The governor also called for money to boost teachers' salaries and hire more of them, along with a host of anti-crime proposals.