Mike Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
September 1923
– Mrs. J. A. White, of Ignacio, has our thanks for a delicious lemon pie. Were it possible to kill a fellow with kindness we would begin to think seriously, but the good pastry that has come in so generously passed through the hands of expert cooks, and consequently has had no bad effect on the digestive organs
.– The formal opening of the Novato Community House Tuesday evening, Aug. 28, 1923, will go down in history as commemorating the greatest achievement yet accomplished in this place. The magnificent building stands as a monument to the spirit of the community, and strangers who visit it stand in astonishment to think a town like Novato was able to build so well. Glory is not in structure, by any means, but in the principle and object for which it is intended. Every need of community life has been provided for, the children, youth, ladies and men were all remembered in the planning. Here the better side of humanity will find a place for development and the doors are open to all, regardless of sex, color or creed. Under management of a broadminded council, composed of men and women of different religious beliefs, sectarianism is eliminated. As was brought out by the several speakers, the Community House is a community home, and every citizen will be made welcome.
75 Years Ago
September 1948
– A new electronic gadget in the canning business, sorts peaches by color better than the human eye. This is one of the products developed by the research department of the California packing Corp. Yellow is a sign of a ripening peach; it is associated with flavor and quality. The shorting is done by eye. The electronic machine is scheduled to be used next season in the company’s fruit packing plants. It may also be used in shorting sweet corn in canneries in Utah, the north-west and middle west.
– Nick Williams, who owns the “Chili Bowl” in Petaluma, has purchased Pat’s Café, on 101 Highway in Novato, according to an announcement made by Mr. Williams. The official grand opening under the new management is scheduled for tonight. There will be favors for the ladies.
– Arthur J. Dahlgren and Larry Dean, Petaluma merchants, have been watching the steady growth of Novato for the past few years, and as a result of their observations, considered Novato an ideal place to open a new drug store. The store will be known as Oahlgren’s Drug Store. The co-partners plan to take an active part in community life. On opening the store, the men said that space was limited in their present quarters, but adjoining space will be available for expansion. The store is located in the Simard Building on West Grant Avenue. Larry Dean will be in charge of the store here and plans to move with his family into the community as soon as possible. Dean has been a pharmacist for the past 32 years.
– Three hundred and ninety-two youngsters are registered at the Novato Grammar School, according to Wm. J. J. Smith, principal. Principal Smith reports things as running smoothly, and that the school seems to be off to a good year. Plans for a new school building have been sent to the State Board of Education for approval. When returned the board of trustees will advertise for contractors’ bids for the building on the property on Grant Avenue. When accepted work will immediately begin. The building will be ready for occupancy not later than October 1, 1949. Meantime the school is operating on daily double season shift.
50 Years Ago
September 1973
– M. F. “Frank” Donohue, long-time county tax collector. And treasurer, died at the age of 87. He was born in 1886, the fourth of 11 children of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Donohue. His father was an employee of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and young Frank followed in his father’s footsteps. He worked 25 years for the railroad until 1929 when, after taking night school courses, he landed the job of tax collector. In 1951 the office of the county treasurer was combined with the tax collector’s office and Donohue served as treasurer tax collector until 1963 when he retired, a span of 34 years in county government. Surviving is his wife, Hanna Jane, a son, Donald F. Donohue, long time operator of the Novato Theater here and three grandchildren, Ann Christine, Leslie Jean and Mary Jane Donohu
– A proposed increase to 75 cents in the round-trip toll on the Golden Gate Bridge will be considered-by the bridge district’s finance-auditing and transportation committees in advance of the meeting. The proposed toll increase would be the first change in the basic auto toll since 1955. Increased revenues are a necessity if the district is to meet the expanding requirements for transit service in the Golden Gate corridor, district officials slate. Both the current bus system and expanded ferry system, to be in operation next year.
25 Years Ago
September 1998
– Plans are well underway to bring a new 124,600 square-foot office building to northern Novato. The new office complex will be located on 12.93 acres on Wood Hollow Drive and Meadowcrest Road, just north of the Fireman’s Fund Insurance office complex. To be situated at the base of a small hill at the foot of Mt. Burdell, it will consist of two wings connected by a see-through central lobby. Ed Coyne of Swenson-Gateway Development, said the building will be designed “in the context” of the larger Fireman’s Fund buildings, but will have its own distinctive architecture. He said no firm tenants have been lined up for the building, although the developers will be looking for companies that can bring high quality jobs to the community.
– Train rides will be just part of the fun at the second annual Pioneer Park Fun Day sponsored by the Novato Mothers Club on Saturday. There will be pony rides, games, food and entertainment, including music by Michael and the Blue Suedes. There will also be a last chance to paint a tile for the park’s new retaining wall. Proceeds benefit the Novato Mothers Club project to renovate the playground at Pioneer Park.
– Novato Mayor Carole Dillon-Knutson has been elected second vice president of the North Bay Division of the League of California Cities. The election, which was by acclamation, means that Dillon-Knutson, who has been on the board of the organization, is in line to become president in two years. “It is important because it means Marin will be better represented,” she said. She says it is vital for California cities to work together to protect their common interests in a changing world.
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