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Remember When Week of February 23

Tidbits from the past

91 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 25, 1922)

The Sonoma Valley Golf and Country Club has its experts at work on the golf course adjoining the handsome clubhouse, formerly the Bigelow home and nine holes will be completed at once and nine more this summer. J. H. Clark of San Rafael is directing the work and is enthusiastic over the course which he says will surpass that of any club in the northern part of California. … Louis Parente is having a beautiful modern hotel building of 30 to 40 rooms erected on his Verano property, the Tavern, and the work is now well under way, according to Contractor Ivan Anderson, who is enthusiastic over the fine improvement. … One of the largest attended masquerade balls held in Sonoma for many years was that given by the Red Men and Daughters of Pocahontas Tuesday night. The affair was a big success both socially and financially, and Union Hall presented a true carnival appearance with more than 200 dancers on the floor, many in the most beautiful and fantastic costumes. … F. Mueller proved an excellent floor manager and the music was praised by all who attended.

 

90 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 24, 1923)

Tuesday morning about 11 o’clock the Sonoma Fire Department was called to Buena Vista to fight a fire which threatened the destruction of the Industrial Farm for Delinquent Women. A defective flue had started a blaze which ignited the roof of the main building, of the former Kate Johnson mansion. … Frank M. and Jesse Burris, former officials and stockholders of the Sonoma Valley Bank which they recently sold to the Central Commercial and Savings Bank have applied for a charter to start a new National Bank in Sonoma. Stock of the new bank has already been over subscribed and its directors will number several leading capitalists of Sonoma Valley. … An important conference of directors and leading spirits in the new $750,000 Mission Inn project was held at Boyes Springs last Sunday. The arthitect, Kenneth McDonald, submitted his plans for the Mission Inn hotel which will rival Del Monte and tamed resorts of the south in points of luxurious appointments, conveniences and beauty. The hotel, situated in a natural park in the foothills of the Valley of the Moon, will be one of the show places of California. … The great Rex Ingram production of “The Prisoner of Zenda,” from the novel of Anthony Hope is coming to the Don Theatre next week. It is a wonderful and thrilling picture.

 

89 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 23, 1924)

A pleasant family reunion and anniversary dinner was enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Coops this week at their pretty vineyard home east of town. It was the 34^th wedding anniversary and among those present were Mr. H. Johannsen, mother of Mrs. Coops, and the families of Harold and Arthur Coops. … Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Brown, nee Ruth Adair, of Berkeley, have been guests of Mr. and Mrs. Al Luchsinger over the holiday. Brown and Luchsinger were formerly fellow employees of a San Francisco bank. Mrs. Brown, popular young society matron of the college town, is a cousin of Mrs. W. L. Murphy. … Driving of automobiles by intoxicated motorists will not be permitted in Sonoma County, and if persons accused of driving while under the influence of liquor are brought before Superior Judge Ross Campbell they can expect to be given jail sentences to sure them of the habit. … At an enthusiastic meeting held at one of the local banks this week the local men fostering the new manufacturing enterprise which is to engage in the making and selling of the Kitchen incubator, authorized the first payment on the patents held by Kitchen Brothers, thus formally taking over the right to manufacture the incubators. … Sonoma Valley, outside of the incorporated city of Sonoma, would be protected from fire through the formation of a regular fire district, if plans of Chief Cause and other advocates are put into effect. It is planned to circulate petitions very shortly asking the Supervisors to form a fire district which will include roughly speaking the Glen Ellen hill district, the Springs, Sonoma Vista, El Verano to the foothills, Verano, the northern foothills, Buena Vista, Vineburg to the Napa county line, Schellville and Watmaugh district.

 

81 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 19, 1932

Ben Blow, field secretary for the National Automobile Club, was the speaker Tuesday evening at the Kiwanis Club weekly meeting at Sonoma Grove. Using a large map to illustrate his talk, Blow showed the entire national system of highways, and pointed out several of the larger bridges along the line and spoke of one across the Mississippi, built by the city of St. Louis. … The Grand Parlor of California, Native Sons of the Golden West, is working rapidly in its endeavor to raise $500 toward the purchase by the state of the General Vallejo home and grounds at Sonoma. The Landmarks League, a subsidiary organization of the grand parlor, has sent a letter to all of the parlors of the state, asking for $5 or $10. … Miss Selma Carlson was married Feb. 6, in San Bruno to Thomas Wall, of San Bruno. Miss Carlson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Carlson of El Verano and sister of Miss Evelyn Carlson, of San Francisco. … Principal L. H. Golton, of the Sonoma Valley High School, announced the first of the week that he has completed arrangements for the appearance of the University of California Glee Club, at the school on Friday, March 18.

 

78 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 15, 1935)

Joining the general observance of Boy Scout Week and the 25^th anniversary of the organization, Sonoma Valley troops went to Petaluma for the huge rally last Saturday night. With Scoutmaster McCammon and Assistant Scoutmaster Bidwell, the boys made a fine appearance as they appeared in many events and contests on the program in our neighboring city. … Franklin McMillan, who was identified with the Better Housing project for a while and who had made his home here for more than a year past, has gone to Seattle where he has accepted a position with the Diamond Match Company. … A live oak tree is to be planted at a Santa Rosa park in memory of Jack London and will be dedicated by the Sonoma County Penwomen. … Mrs. Lorraine Bertini and Mrs. N. Hillstrom attended a beauty shop operators meeting and demonstration at Casa de Vallejo, in Vallejo, on Thursday. Mrs. Hillstrom is to be associated with the Lorraine Beauty Shop and will give facials and manicures. … The Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club will put on an Americanization program today at the clubhouse. Mrs. Juliette Hayes, Sonoma County chairman of Americanization is the guest speaker. In addition to Mrs. Hayes inspiring patriotic talk, there will be musical and dance number put on my clever young people.

 

75 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 1938)

E. A. Boye, former Bank of American branch manager here, has gone to accept his new position in Fresno. He declares that he likes Sonoma and will come here now and then to look over the Valley and visit friends made here. … Little Letty Jane, 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Helberg of Sonoma, was a winner in the Veterans Fete Contest held in San Francisco during the past month. In the final votes tabulated on last Monday evening, the little Sonoma miss surprised everyone with the astounding vote of 254,330 in this popularity contest, for the coveted honor to act as a page to George and Martha Washington in the parade and pageant, to be held on Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22. … Mrs. A. Crivelli of Carneros was here last Saturday looking over her property, the former Lewis home on Broadway, which includes land extending back to First Street West. She may sell or improve it. … Miss Patricia Golton of Sonoma, an office-holder of the Student Advisory Bureau and chairman of the Room C Committee, has been elected secretary of the Honor Students Association on the Berkeley campus of the University of California. … The Sonoma Valley Historical Society met last Friday and heard stories of the old ships that used to sail to Embarcadero. L. H. Green and Miss Stofen read papers on this fascinating history. Judge Justi will present more on this subject at a future date.