Remember when: 100th anniversary of Mission San Francisco de Solano

95 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 23, 1922)

Sonoma is already making ready to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the famous Mission San Francisco de Solano at Sonoma on July 4, this being the centennial of the historic old mission. ... E. Wyatt, who six months ago felt the call of the wild, and left for a tour of the world, arrived in El Verano Sunday night. Our young friend had some wild times during his travels, getting aboard a cannibal ship, sailing to the frozen shores of Alaska, living on hard tack during the entire cruise and being in daily fear of being eaten by the cannibal crew. ... At one of the mot spectacular and exciting fires Petaluma has ever witnessed, St. John’s Episcopal church at Fifth and C streets was on Sunday morning damaged to the extend of $1,000 to $2,000, all depending upon how badly the great pipe organ was affected by smoke and exposure and the little water that entered it. ... Emile Kruchwitz, well known San Franciscan and famous chef, is busy building a new hotel and summer resort near Boyes Springs bridge on the Sonoma Vista side. The new place will be ready the first of the year.

94 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 22, 1923)

The Sonoma business places, including the banks, are looking quite festive in their holiday attire. Batto & Sons’ Sonoma store, of which F. H. Muller is manager, had a genial Santa Claus and beautiful lighted tree for the children two days this week. ... On Saturday, Dec. 9, will be the opening of the beautiful new clubhouse at Sonoma Vista built by the progressive improvement club of that section to replace the building destroyed by fire. ... Christmas in the Sonoma churches will be celebrated with elaborate programs. The joyous weeks starts tomorrow when there will be a special program and tree at the Congregational church at 8 p.m. The morn of the Nativity will be ushered in at St. Francis church with a midnight mass.

93 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 20, 1924)

Sonoma Valley has been getting some of the coldest Christmas weather ever experienced here. The thermometer registered 20 degrees at one time during the past week, although mid-days have been sunny and bright. Water pipes were frozen and the coal and wood men did a rushing business.

... The Sonoma Vista Improvement Club will see the old year out and welcome the new year in at their hospitable clubhouse Wednesday evening, Dec. 31. There will be music, dancing, cards and refreshments and everyone is invited. ... Miss C. Neuman, the Sonoma Grammar School teacher whose folks reside in San Francisco, entertained the lady teachers of Sonoma who were in attendance at institute in the bay city this week. Miss Newman’s father is a member of the fire department in the city of San Francisco. ... The Epworth League has placed in the M. E. church an up-to-date bulletin board as a Christmas gift. ÒA beautiful and timely gift to the church, declare all who have viewed it. É Miss Edna Cooper, member of the Sonoma Library Board of Trustees, purchased $20 worth of new books this week while in San Francisco. The books will be on the shelves in about two weeks. ... The contract for the attractive new clubhouse to be built on the highway at Boyes Springs by the Boyes Springs Improvement Club has been let to Contractor M. Y. Hansen, and ground breaking will take place tomorrow afternoon.