The wheels of industry are turning. A 125-mile high-voltage power line is connected in 1924, and a new factory prepares to move into Van Buren in 1974.
100 years ago
March 20, 1924
• The Union Electric Light and Power Company has completed its high-powered transmission line between Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau — specifically, between their two power plants. This means if either plant goes down, the load can be transferred to the remaining one until repairs are made.
The line is just over 125 miles long and carries 33,000 volts through Poplar Bluff, Fisk, Dudley, Dexter, Sikeston, Oran, Chaffee, Ancell, Cape Girardeau, Charleston, East Prairie, Illmo and Fornfelt, as well as smaller towns en route.
March 20, 1949 — No issues available.
50 years ago
March 20, 1974
• Negotiations are complete, and the Paramount Cap Co. is preparing to set up shop in Van Buren. The company plans to install a new factory in the former Jayson Shoe Company building, which closed three months ago. The final sale price of the property was $90,000.
Paramount reportedly chose Van Buren because it has two other factories in the region. A representative declined to comment how many people the factory would employ and when production to begin.
Editor’s note: Modern research suggests Paramount Cap Co. later came to be known as Paramount Apparel International and manufactured a variety of apparel and accessories. It was based in Missouri and was reportedly acquired by CPC LLC in 2021.
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