Mike Reed/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
January 1923
– E. R. MacDonald is building a large summer porch onto his already spacious bungalow on the Bide-a-Wee ranch.
– The Novato lumber yard presents a changed and neat appearance. New buildings have been erected and the grounds scraped preparatory to building roads for the convenience in shipping lumber. The company kindly consented without quibbling to retain the former name, and-the large signs to be put up will bear— Novato Lumber Yard.
– After a lingering illness for several months, death relieved Antone V. DeBorba of his suffering Monday evening, January 8, 1923, at 8:45 o’clock, when the spirit fled to the realm of eternity. Deceased was a pioneer of Novato and prominently identified with the growth of the town. He was a member of Novato Council, U. P. E. C, I. D. E. S., and a director of the Community House and of the Novato Hank. Mr. DeBorba was one of the best-known residents of Marin County and enjoyed the respect and goodwill of a large circle of friends. For some time, he had been at San Rafael receiving medical treatment for blood pressure, but all efforts of medical skill were unavailing. Antone V. DeBorba was born in the Azores Islands August 21, 1858. He leaves three sons— Antone and Joseph DeBorba, of Novato, and Dr. F. J. DeBorba, of Reno, Nevada.
– The Novato Water Co., operated by A.H. Tresch applied to the public utilities commission for permission to make a “reasonable increase” in water rates to his customers. He stated his customers now number 656, and that the system requires enlargement and expenditure of about $5,000.
75 Years Ago
January 1948
– Funeral services were held recently for the late Mrs. May Dunlap Smith. Mrs. Smith, who had long been a sufferer from a heart ailment died suddenly in the offices of Dr. R J. Weseman while being prepared for a checkup. She had been the house guest of Miss Kitty Chaplin for some months. She is survived by her only son, Roscoe Smith, and five granddaughters of San Anselmo. Mrs. Smith, a native of Illinois, came with her husband, who died many years ago, to Novato 28 years ago where they purchased property and built a home on Second Street. She served as postmaster in the local post office under Postmaster Mrs. Myrtle Evers. On her retirement, because of failing health, she sold the Novato property and went to live with her son and his family in San Anselmo.
– Novato’s newest venture is the Recreation club, opened for the first time in the building on Grant Avenue next to Druids’ hall, which was crowded by young and old patrons. It is operated by Frank Gillen, a retired serviceman who saw service with the signal corps in the late war for over three years. He has equipped the place with new pool tables, table tennis and bowling alley. Candy, cigarettes, and soft drinks are available to the patrons, and the new club apparently meets the need it is being opened for recreation.
– The Election for the formation of Novato water district carried with 627 votes in favor of the district, and 93 against, Dal Ruhlman, chairman of the water committee of the Novato Lions Club and chamber of commerce, announced that the new district will be divided into five sections with one director elected for each section within 90 days.
– Novato Presbyterian Church held its annual church meeting in the Community House. The budget for expenses for the coming year amounting to $4,226.
50 Years Ago
January 1973
– Southbound drivers in the U.S. Highway 101 would have made their pioneer forebearers proud yesterday morning when they successfully navigated a flooded section of Highway 101 near the Sportsman Lodge. The traffic backed up as far as Rancho Olompali, as cars moved slowly toward the flooded area and then, like covered wagons, forded the shallow river. The crossing was made with great care, but by the time the motorists reached the San Marin Drive intersection they had resumed their normal speeds.
– Richard O’Connell was elected chairman of the city planning commission and Beverly Ehreth vice chairman at Monday night’s meeting which also saw the seating of two new commissioners, Robert Glascock and Dr. George McDaniel. First item on the agenda was the lengthy and involved proposal by Richard Hanna to rezone approximately 455 acres east of Highway 101 and north of Highway 37 to accommodate a variety of uses (golf course, motel complex, commercial, light industry and even a motor coach park).
– Planners nix Moose Lodge move: The county planning commission granted an appeal by Eileen T. Larson from the decision of the deputy zoning administrator’s approval of a use permit for the Moose Lodge to move to an existing building at 40 H Lane. The decision, in effect, means the Moose will not be able to move to a building at the old Atherton Club. The Moose is seeking to move it’s lodge from the old hillside restaurant, overlooking Highway 101. However, neighbors in the H Lane area protested because they feared increased traffic among other things.
25 Years Ago
January 1998
– Rolling Hills Club, a mecca for Novatans seeking physical fitness for the past 24 years, will grow substantially as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 1998. Planned is a $1.2 million renovation and expansion. Coming this year are a new year-round cafe, more room in the equipment and fitness center, new children’s locker rooms, a renovation and upgrade of the aerobics studio, improvements in the lighting and drainage of the tennis courts and new covered walkway to the pool.
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