A Look Back, June 19

50 Years Ago

■A 15-employee chemical processing plant at Pro Brush, a division of the Vistron Corp., has been sold to a Swedish firm for an undisclosed price. Skanska-Attikfabriken A. B. of Perstorp, Sweden, termed “the Monsanto of Europe” by a Vistron spokesman, will oversee operations at the local plant but will pay Pro Brush an operating fee for continuing to operate and provide personnel for the facility.

■The Foster-Farrar Co. on Main Street was the winner announced today in the Downtown Business Association (DBA) window decorating contest held last week in conjunction with Flag Day. The Foster-Farrar display carried out the Flag Day theme with flags, streamers and a memorial print.

25 Years Ago

■After more than 50 seasons of auto racing at Riverside Speedway, on the grounds of Riverside Amusement Park, the owner of the quarter-mile track will shut it down to make way for more rides. Premier Parks announced Wednesday it will close the track after this year’s racing season.

■Thousands of people helped the Fire Department celebrate the grand opening of the city’s new fire station on Carlon Drive last weekend. But a month of transition must pass before the firehouse completely replaces the Masonic Street station. Chief Brian Duggan is expecting the transition to be smooth, thanks to eight months of planning by his staff.

10 Years Ago

■A former car dealership on King Street that has been vacant for nine years, with its roof rotted, has now been condemned and will be demolished. Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck said the former Lia Honda site, at King and Finn streets, presents a danger to unauthorized people who sneak into the building and to emergency personnel who must respond to the site.

■Twenty-four years ago, Jackson Street School Principal Gwen Agna was among thousands of volunteers who helped build a wooden playscape that has become one of the city’s iconic structures. On Wednesday, Agna and many others said goodbye to the legendary playset, which is to be demolished this summer due to structural problems that have made it no longer safe for use.