EDITOR

After nearly 50 years beneath the ground, a time capsule was opened following Henryetta’s annual Labor Day parade on Monday in front of the library at 6th and Main before a large crowd.

The time capsule was originally buried on Oct. 25, 1972 in front of the library between the steps and the Dough Boy statue in a concrete vault, covered by a bronze plaque that noted it was to be opened by or before the 50th anniversary of HenryEsta on Oct. 22, 2022.

Though the HenryEsta Festival didn’t last, it was decided this year by the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce the capsule would be opened on Labor Day.

In an article from the Henryetta Free-Lance dated Oct. 12, 1972, HenryEsta Editor Cathy Robertson noted the following items were among those to be included in the vault:

• HenryEsta Week copies of the Free-Lance showing local pictures of the way the stores look in 1972 and prices of merchandise.

• KHEN radio tapes of interviews and other events taking place during HenryEsta week.

• Copies of the fall bank call statements of the American Exchange Bank and First National Bank.

• Copies of the Mayor’s Proclamation on HenryEsta week.

• A copy of the 1972 city budget.

• A map of the city in 1972.

• Small samples of locallymade industrial products, including glass from PPG Industries.

• Photographs of local churches.

After opening the time capsule, most of the items were water damaged and not