Concrete garage to be built on Napa Street property

95 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 19, 1921)

Al Griffith has let the contract for a handsome concrete garage 75x150 feet on his Napa Street property, which has four years been the site of the old Union livery stable. Contractor George Riley of Santa Rosa was here yesterday and will start work at once. ... The two nights at the Don Theatre when “Shore Acres” and a musical program were presented by the Woman’s Club to aid the starving children of Europe, was very successful. Miss Meta Stofen made a plea for the community to do its “bit.” ... An intruder who was prowling around the Otto Rufus home was scared off by return of the householders and taken into custody by a local officer. He gave the name of Manual Costa, and is thought to be slightly demented. ... The big show to be presented by the high school for the orchestra fund takes place here tonight. Miss Tamara Luwb, the graceful Russian dancer, direct from Petrograd, will be seen in her beautiful interprative dances. ... Tonight at Glen Ellen Mr. and Mrs. Julius Pancrazi are giving one of their popular dances and ravioli suppers. ... F. W. Naden of Clovis, Fresno county, has been here this week looking over his fine ranch, the former Griffith place. Mr. Nadan and family expect to spend a few days each month here during the summer. He has his Sonoma ranch leased to Mr. Ranken, a friend who came to California with him from Texas 20 years ago.

85 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 20, 1931)

Mrs. A. J. Borie, custodian at the Old Sonoma Mission, states that from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 1,600 visitors registered and viewed the old mission and the curios shown there. Distance points represented on the register are Rochester, N.Y.; St. Paul, Calgary, Canada; New York city, Augusta, Flagstaff and Waldoboro, Maine.

... Sonoma’s own, 40 members of Bear Flag Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, were publicly initiated Saturday night at a most impressive and patriotic ceremony held at the Sonoma Valley Union High School auditorium. ... More people coming to Sonoma to do their buying, to enjoy amusement, to view our historic landmarks, instead of going elsewhere to scatter their ready cash, is the end in view, in action taken by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. The money that is brought into Sonoma Valley through the sale of products of our rich soil, belongs to this Valley and should remain here, in circulation, it is urged by the officers of the organization. ... Martin Claus, a nephew of Mrs. Agnes Claus of this city, was recently issued an airplane transport pilot license by the government and is now a full fledged pilot operating out of Mill Field. In celebration of this event, Claus flew from Mill Field last Thursday evening and circuled several times over the city of Sonoma and thus paid respects to Mrs. Claus.

76 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 23, 1940)

It is rumored that a local capitalist will soon improve his property in Sonoma with a big skating rink and bowling alley. Contractors are said to be figuring on the building for the new enterprise. ... The San Francisco Seals have been disporting themselves in the sunshine of the Valley of the Moon. The advance guard of the spring training camp which has been reestablished at Boyes Hot Springs after many years brought sunshine with them Monday, literally and figuratively. Charley Graham, some of the old timers, and the newspaper sports writers were as happy to return to Sonoma Valley as were Rudy Lichtenberg and other factotums to have them back. ... An Old Timers’ Night is being planned by the worthy matron of Valley of the Moon Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. ... Adolph Schrempp, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Schrempp, of Vineburg, has accepted his appointment with the United States government. He left for Los Angeles last Saturday where he will be employed. ... The San Francisco Furriers had a dinner at Sonoma Mission Inn Wednesday, remained overnight and played golf yesterday. ... John Merlo is making some improvements at the old El Droado which is being stuccoed and a new portico is being built at the front entrance. The Sonoma business district keeps improving.