From the archives, Feb. 13, 2015: Veterans Administration Hospital will not be built here

61 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 11, 1954)

The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce learned on Monday that this community – and the entire county – is out of the running for the establishment of the 1,000 bed Veterans Administration Hospital in this locale. ... The Broadway Department Store will be the name of a new Sonoma Valley business firm scheduled to hold its grand opening Feb. 19 and 20, next to Martin Mulford’s Broadway Hardware store, opposite Sonoma High School. ... The Deluxe Fountain and lunch counter on West Napa Street, closed since November, will reopen for business on Monday, Feb. 15. Returning as proprietors will be Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, who successfully operated the spot approximately six months, prior to closing for study of lease arrangements. ... Sonoma Valley’s huge, $400,000 sewage treatment plant near Vineburg has been progressing rapidly, engineer Jack Crowell of the Clyde Kennedy engineering firm reported yesterday. ... The brand new home economics and shop building at Sonoma Valley Union High School will be formally dedicated Sunday when the Grand Officers of the Native Sons of the Golden West conduct a plaque ceremony, commending at 2 p.m. The dedication is under the auspices of Sonoma parlor No. 111, NSGW and Louis Pellandini, Junior Past Grand President, will preside. Phillip C. Wilkins, of Sacramento, “Grand” President will make the dedicatory address, which will be followed by the placing of the plaque by the Grand Officers.

60 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 10, 1955)

Sonoma Valley with a number of unusual small industries, will soon have a lumber processing plant, being built now on Highway 12 at Schellville. The plant, under construction, is owned by James L. House, formerly of Jackson, Miss., where the firm has been located for the past 10 years. The plant, House Manufacturing Company, will receive lumber in the rough grain, dry and surface it and ship it to the middle west, the east, southwest and southeast. ... Plans for a new supermarket and shopping center in Sonoma on West Fifth Street between Spain and Napa streets were reported here yesterday. ... The Sonoma city council approved a tentative map for the 46-home Provis Park subdivision in the are of MacArthur Street and Fifth Street East in a special meeting at the city hall yesterday at noon. Mayor Hilton Taylor moved approval of the subdivision plan and the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Joan McGrath. Councilman Frank Indelicato, the other member of the board present, also vote din favor of the subdivision. Absent were Councilmen Jack Sims and Edward Smith. ... Approval of a recommendation by the city cemetery commission that land west of the present wall of Mountain Cemetery be made available for burials was voted Monday night by the Sonoma council. The land, already owned by the city, will provide space for 572 burials. Commission members told the council that some space in the present Mountain Cemetery is still open, but that it is almost inaccessible. The council approved expenditure of up to $500 on the expansion of the cemetery.

59 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 16, 1956)

Sonoma television viewers reported yesterday that Sher Singh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charan Singh of Fetters Springs, won $285 in each and a collection of books for Flowery school on the “Strike It Rich” network television program. ... A swift-moving fire, which broke out around 4:30 in the morning, completely destroyed Lineville’s Garage containing an estimated $8,000 worth of equipment, on Highway 37 near the Big Bend at Schellville on Tuesday. An occupant of the El Bend Grande Motel note the blaze after being awakened by a barking dog and the Schell-Vista and Sonoma volunteer fire departments were alerted. ... A new Sonoma Valley industrial plant which eventually will employ 100 workers has begun production in the Schellville area. Alcon Products, owned by Albert F. Wright, Bay Area machine products manufacturer is in operation in a new building in Vineburg. Another building, to double the present shop space of 6,000 square feet, is underway at the site. The plant is making bomb parts, parts for military tanks, parts, such as valves, four oil field machinery; tractor parts and numerous other products.