Today in Delaware County history, Feb. 18

100 Years Ago, 1924: One fireman was hurt, another overcome by smoke, a city block threatened with destruction and damaged estimated at $75,000 was the result of a fire that completed wiped out the shoe store of Coleman Smith and the loan offices of Turk and Saft, at 316 Market St., last night. The origin of the blaze has not been determined. Informed by a city fireman that the front door of the store was shut but unlocked when they arrived on the scene, Fire Chief John Bauer will make a rigid investigation.

75 Years Ago, 1949: County headquarters of the state police will be transferred to 205 South Ave., Media, on March 1, it was announced today. The barracks at Glenolden Avenue and Chester Pike, Glenolden, occupied for the past five years, has been sold. According to reports, the owner intends to convert the spacious premises into a boarding house or home for convalescents. In moving to the county seat, police will take over the former home of the late Judge Isaac Johnson. It contains 11 rooms.

50 Years Ago, 1974: “Only a tankful away.” That’s what the Ocean City, N.J., public relations department says on bumper stickers they are now distributing. The slogan must make sense to a lot of Easterns, because real estate agents say inquiries about summer rentals are higher than last year despite some higher housing prices. Resort Association of New Jersey and even a Good Housekeeping survey indicates that people will be staying closer to home this summer,” Mark Soifer of the Ocean City public relations department said.

25 Years Ago, 1999: Sun Co. workers quelled a small fire that flared yesterday morning in the Marcus Hook refinery’s hydrogen unit. No one was hurt and the flames were out within minutes — even before the company’s in-house firefighters arrived at the scene, said spokesman Don Zoladkiewicz. The fire started in a small heater, Zoladkiewicz said. Officials are still investigating the cause but think a flange may have opened, allowing hydrogen to leak through and ignite.

10 Years Ago, 2014: Public discussion on whether the township should renovate or relocate the Haverford Township Free Library continued at a second meeting with commissioners last week. About 40-50 residents turned out to listen and air their views on the possibility of adding the library to plans for a proposed municipal services building at Darby and Manoa Roads, on a township-owned site that includes the Skatium and Veterans Field.

— COLIN AINSWORTH