This Week in Marblehead History: 1973

Every week, Marblehead Patch digs through the Marblehead Messenger microfilm archives at to find out what was happening on this week in local history.

In 1973:

Star of Sea School Closes: Anyone remember Star of the Sea School? When it closed in June of 1973, it sent "some 300 Marbleheaders into the public school system and (created) a situation in which School Committee Chairman John Stone III will be happy 'if we can maintain the status quo.'" In January of 1973, the church's parish council made the decision to close the 390-pupil - kindergarten through eighth grade - facility.

Sewer Pipe Route Across Stramski's? : A sewer pipe that recently slowed progress at the construction site of the was making headlines in 1973. "Town officials favor a sewer piping route through the Stramski recreational property. This may cost us $42,300 or $84,600 more than an alternate route along Green Street but will avoid inconvenience to motorists and residents."

MHS Hockey Stays Strong: "Three wins in five days have kept the hockey team at the top of the North Shore Hockey League's Northeast Division. Tom Colby's five goals paced the 'Headers over Danvers 6-3."

Record-Breaker: " track star Scott Newall won a trophy as the top schoolboy performer in last weekend's AAU Navy meet in Boston, breaking the quarter-mile record with a 52.2 performance. Fellow 'Head runner Peter Bloom won his heat and finished fifth overall in the event, with a time of 2.07.8."

Police Work Praised: "Mrs. Betty Smith, 9 Skinner's Path, remained on the danger list at Salem Hospital this morning after nearly choking to death Tuesday night. Quick work by police officers Robert Coyne and John B. Palmer was credited with keeping the 48-year-old woman alive until she reached the hospital. Mrs. Smith choked on a steak at the '76 Restaurant on School Street."

State Street Landing Parking Changed: "With an overflow crowd of more than 100 in hearty approval, Selectmen last night modified their restrictions on parking and bars in the State-Front Street area. The Board rescinded its December vote to cut parking at the State Street Wharf from two hours to one, and voted to allow 15-minute parking for three cars in front of McClains Fish Market, 36 State St., from 7:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday."

Do you recognize any of these names or events? Were you a town resident in 1973? Let us know in the comments section.