20 years ago

After 47 years in business, Kenai Supply closed its stores from Wasilla to Homer. The death of founder William Wells in December 1999 as well as two state road projects that needed the company’s property in Wasilla were factors in closing. Spenard Builders Supply bought Kenai Supply’s stores in Kenai and Birchwood, but not the Homer store on East End Road. SBS did buy all of Kenai Supply’s building materials. Homer SBS Manager Bruce Turkington said it might be able to offer jobs to two or three local Kenai Supply employees.

— From the issue of March 9, 2000

30 years ago

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its final plan to stop erosion on the Homer Spit. The plan called for building a massive rock beach in front of the existing steel wall and every 10 years replacing the sand and gravel that washed out. The rock wall cost $5.7 million and renourishing the beach cost $2.3 million every 10 years for 40 years, or a total cost of $9.1 million. The state’s share was $2.4 million for the rock wall and $3.2 million for renourishment.

— From the issue of March 8, 1990

50 years ago

Mt. McKinley Bus Line of Anchorage announced it would start serving the Kenai Peninsula effective March 10. Buses ran daily except Sundays, leaving Homer at 10 a.m. from the Heady Hotel and meeting the Anchorage-Kenai bus in Kenai. The Anchorage return bus left Kenai at 3 p.m., arriving in Anchorage at 7 p.m. The bus from Anchorage to Homer via Kenai left at 10 a.m., arriving in Homer at 5:20 p.m. The bus line also offered freight service.

— From the issue of March 5, 1970