Mike Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
December 1921
— An unsuccessful attempt was made by thieves Sunday night to blow the safe in Edsberg’s Market in Novato, according to reports received here Monday. Two charges failed to move the safe door and the robbers fled.
— George Oliver started his rural meat route Wednesday. He has bought a Ford car and hopes to make a success of his traveling market.
— Mr. Steele, a newcomer to Novato located in the eastern end of Indian Valley, has just completed a large dairy barn with the assistance of J. R. McDonald. He has recently brought 15 Jersey cows here from Napa County and is planning a new residence in the near future.
— The bids for the new school were opened about a week ago and the contract was let to the lowest bidder, a San Francisco firm who expects to begin work Wednesday.
— Mr. Berry, who has bought Harry Davis ranch and who was formerly a C. P. O. in the U. S. Navy, has taken up his residence here and is now employed as mechanic by R. M. Cantwell in his new shop.
75 Years Ago
December 1946
— Traffic signals at the Grant Avenue, Highway 101 intersection in Novato have been promised “for the not too distant future,” learned from the state highway commission. In a letter the commission advised that provision will be made in the next budget for the signals but warned that due to the “critical material situation, they will take a minimum of six months to obtain. Since widening of the highway commenced several months ago, members of the Novato P.T.A. and Chamber of Commerce have sought the signals to protect pedestrians crossing at the intersection.
— Funeral services were held for Mrs. Adelaide (Lina) Cappi. The rites were followed by burial at Mt. Olivet cemetery beside her younger daughter, Evelyn, whose tragic death some years ago at the Olive Avenue railroad crossing, was a shock from which the beloved mother never recovered. Born in Switzerland, Mrs. Cappi was 57 years old. The Cappi family came to Novato 24 years ago after disposing of their dairy ranch at Bolinas and operated the dairy ranch on Olive Avenue now owned by the McClellan family.
50 Years Ago
December 1971
— Construction of Novato’s 5.3 miles of six-lane freeway bypass is destined for an expedited start early next spring. Bids for the estimated $14,606,000 two-year job. Although there probably are no more than 50 contractors in the state who can handle a freeway construction job as large as this one, the competitive bid is expected to draw more than a few contenders in a spirited contest because of the huge amount of money involved. The state approved an allocation of $4,000,000 in the 1971-72 budget and $2,000,000 more has been included in the 1972-73 state highway budget. The state highway commission has already stated its intention to approve an allocation of $8,606,000 in the 1973-74 budget to complete the project.
— Attilio Quartaroli’s proposed tennis club equivalent to Forest Hills at Deer Island Lane and Olive Avenue now has a proposed golf club counterpart about half a mile away on the Hanna Estate property. Richard Hanna will come before the city planning commission January 10 with a planned community proposal for the 430 acres, giving priority emphasis to creation of a “championship golf course to attract all the big-name professionals in golf, just as the Quartaroli tennis club would attract all the big name tennis professionals,” is the Hanna aim. The Hanna property is a triangular piece bordered by Novato Creek on the north, Highway 37 on the east and Highway 101 on the west. The future extension of Rowland Boulevard north through the interchange would eventually connect the contemplated tennis club with the contemplated golf club and create a championship sports area—that is, if plans develop as discussed.
25 Years Ago
December 1996
— While the City of Novato wrangles with the Navy over a plan to take over existing homes and facilities at Hamilton Field, a major new development continues full speed ahead at the former Air Force base. The New Hamilton Partners are developing 400 acres of Hamilton into a new community that will ultimately include 930 new homes, office space, a retail center, community services, recreation areas and open space. Included in the plans are a major new motel, a supermarket and a fast-food restaurant. The precise plan for the retail portion of the project, to be built along Nave Boulevard near where a temporary homeless shelter has stood for the last two years, features a 136-room Marriott Courtyard Motel. The addition of the Marriott Courtyard Motel to join with a planned Hampton Inn to be built just across the highway at the site of the current Alverado Inn and the construction of a restaurant at the Quality Inn just a little further south will make the Ignacio area an especially attractive stopover for visitors to the North Bay. The Lucky’s market will include a drug store and a Bank of America branch. Along with a Bell Market and a Safeway across the highway, the Lucky’s will offer Hamilton’s new residents a choice of grocery and produce shopping opportunities. Also planned for the site is a McDonald’s restaurant.
Leave a Reply