Mark Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
August 1923– A new upright piano has been purchased for the Community House, after testing three instruments in the hall.– Piping Novato for gas began and soon many of the kitchens will discard wood stoves and install the more convenient and modern means for supplying the wants of the inner man.
– Ride a la Gilpin: While visiting the big dredger, it was our pleasure to become acquainted with Bill and Phil Wright, sons of the senior member of the firm digging the Novato canal. The boys are university students, and during vacations put in their time profitably developing muscle and gaining practical experience. This summer they are helping George Owens with his hay crop. They are exemplary young men, and we can vouch for Bill as a clever chauffeur. The gallant lad insisted on bringing us home in his racer, and when he struck the highway distance was annihilated at a 42-mile clip against a head wind. We had nothing to say, but kept our eyes peeled for a soft place in the road on which to land. It was unnecessary, though, for a master at the wheel, and home was reached in safety and in less time than it takes to pencil this.
75 Years Ago
August 1948
– Bormolini & Son, building firm, were awarded a contract by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bianchi of San Rafael, to build a 21-unit auto court, two stores and a restaurant on 101 Highway just north of the entrance to Hamilton Field.
– Work began on a new Pacific Gas and Electric Company substation at Ignacio. A new power line construction in connection with the project will require another $350,000.
50 Years Ago
August 1973
– One of the authentic big entertainment events of the San Francisco Bay area is the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, now a fixture of the North Marin scene every fall. The Faire opens this Friday and will continue on weekends until Oct. 8. It will be staged once again on its temporary site in Black Point. The promoters Ron and Phyllis Patterson who are seeking to establish a permanent home on the Veronda Ranch north of Novato in the San Antonio Creek Valley.
– A familiar Novato landmark, the scarecrow guarding a vegetable garden at 1760 Novato Boulevard, is gone. Vandals recently destroyed the scarecrow, along with the garden he guarded, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Lynch, and a neighboring garden, owned by Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Mitchell. Corn and tomato plants were hacked up, and cantaloupes were cut open and smashed. Said the Lynches: “We could have understood if they had taken the food with prices what they are today. We can’t understand just destroying it.” The late scarecrow’s name was Murphy, and the Lynches considered him a member of the family.
25 Years Ago
August 1998
– Marin and Sonoma counties have taken a step toward creating a commuter rail line even before voters in both counties have an opportunity to approve funding for the project. In separate actions, both the Marin County and Sonoma County boards of supervisors approved the creation of a Sonoma/Marin Area Rail Transit Commission. The commission will have five members from each county. Its purpose will be to define plans for commuter rail service from San Rafael to Healdsburg. Funding for the project is part of a half-cent sales tax increase residents in both counties will vote on Nov. 3.
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