Feb. 2, 2015: $33,000 municipal water system will be constructed

82 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 3, 1933)

Sonoma City can have a complete new municipal water system constructed at a cost of $33,000. The annual cost of operation would be approximately $2,500 per year, and the profits, as shown from present income figures, would take care of a bond issue which could be paid off and retired in eight years. Rates to consumers would fall to a minimum of $1.50 per month, superceding the rate of $2 as charged by the present company. ... Edwin Kent, superintendent of schools, has appointed Victor Leveroni to fill the vacancy on the Sonoma grammar school board caused by the recent death of Carl Dresel, pioneer member. Mr. Leveroni, the new trustee, is a progressive and successful farmer, interested in the education of youth and cognizant of the needs of these times for efficient school management. ... Owing to the condition of the state treasury at Sacramento, State Home employees at Eldridge may be paid next month with warrants instead of bank checks, as at present. At the Napa State Hospital the payments will be script and be discounted by the banks, so it is reported in Napa. ... Miss Mathilda Bonneau has passed the examinations for licensed pharmacist and was among a class of 173 who took the test. She is a graduate of UC college and has had experience at the Sonoma State Home and of late at the local pharmacy of L. S. Simmons.

81 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 2, 1934)

The timely discovery of flames in the Dunbar schoolhouse Monday morning saved that attractive new building from serious damage, if not destruction. Ben Behler, a neighbor, saw smoke pouring from the place, and thinking something was wrong, hastened to investigate. He found a curtain on fire and smouldering papers and a book which had caught fire, evidently from an electric heater. ... The property on Napa Street beyond St. Francis church, owned for many years by the Presentation Nuns of San Francisco, was recently subdivided and put on the market by R. R. and Julia Emparan. The six lots fronting Napa Street sold almost immediately to buyers who plan to improve the property. ... The famous Madrone vineyard comprising some 300 acres and situated between here and Glen Ellen, has been leased by Louis Englebert, owner of the property to J. Casella and Harry Lyons, both of Boyes Springs. They plan to cultivate the vineyard and market the grape crop. ... W.S. Palmer, former prominent railroad official, and one time manager of the NWP, was in El Verano recently, accompanied by his brother. Mr. Palmer, learning that the railroad was pulling up stakes in El Verano, came to look over some property he owns in the once-thriving little S.P. railroad town. After looking over his property, he decided that El Verano still has a future.

80 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 1, 1935)

Some fond dreams of Sonoma seem about to be realized for this week with the approval of plans for new projects in the historic plaza, a little theatre is about to be a notable addition to the town square and the ornamental pools are to be bordered with walks and set off with flagstones. Men are already at work and earth is flying on these improvements which federal aid makes possible. ... A Public Works project which has been approved by the Sonoma county office of the federal department to promote the hiring of workmen and the betterment of the communities has gone to the PWA headquarters for approval, and the widening of Napa Street seems certain. It is planned to take three feet off the sidewalk between the American Trust corner and the C. E. Johnson property. ... The reestablishment of a farm for narcotic addicts and delinquent women at Buena Vista is again being urged by San Francisco clubwomen. Pointing out that the hospital is still a substantial nucleus for the institution where the former Kate Johnson mansion once stood and was used as the main building until its destruction by fire, advocates of the plan urge that the farm be rebuilt and that inmates be committed here for detention and treatment. ... For the convenience of those who are required by law to file federal income tax returns, Deputy Collector Harold T. Calvert, of the Internal Revenue Service, will be at the sheriff’s office in Santa Rosa to assist taxpayers in preparing their returns. No charge will be made for this service.