Mike Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
December 1921
– The wind did considerable damage on Black point road. Kokiers & Larson lost two fruit trees. Mr. Berry on the Davis ranch, lost a large barn, the wind blowing it flat: Mr. Grey, next door, lost the roofs off several small out buildings, and Mr. Grouscoup lost a chicken house.
– Ignacio was thrown into darkness Sunday and Monday night when the freak storm Sunday blew over the big: laurel tree just above Sal Pacheco’s home. The tree fell across the highway and railroad tracks. Fortunately, no one was near when it fell. Every man out of every machine held up. took turns at the saw and soon a passageway cut through and travel on the highway continued.
– The dairy of J. Pacheco and M. Soares is now one of the most modern in the county. A complete electric light system has just been installed, this doing away with the carrying of lanterns, and much more work can be accomplished with the use of electric lights all the apparatus on the dairy is now run by electricity which is a more sanitary and quicker method.
– It is reported that Mr. Thomas has purchased all the cattle owned by J. Gambetta and intends taking over the Gambetta ranch.
– Mr. Simmon’s (the butcher’s) little four-year-old daughter met with an accident last week while playing. She fell from the banister of the porch and broke her arm.
– Mrs. Margaret A. DeVoto, well known and highly respected resident of Novato, passed away at her home December 16 after an illness of some length. The funeral was held Monday, with services at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Tuckett, and burial under the direction of the P. E. Sawyer Company. Mrs. DeVoto was an estimable woman of more than ordinary educational attainments, and her death is a severe blow to her many friends, although it was not unexpected. She is survived by a son and daughter, Mrs. P. P. Tuckett and Frank DeVoto. She was 68 years of age and a native of Maine.
75 Years Ago
December 1946
– Mr. and Mrs. McDermeds moved to one of their apartments on their new housing project on Scott Avenue.
– Recent letters from Mrs. Trevitt stated that her husband, former pastor of the Presbyterian church, is now a major in Hawaii and that she is teaching 160 teen-agers at San Marnedino.
– Judge Herman Rudolff who was injured on December 18 is now at his home in Novato having left the Cottage hospital, where he has been since he was injured. Constable Fred Nave also injured in the same accident is still in the Cottage hospital but recovering.
50 Years Ago
December 1971
– This house, owned by Fabian Bobo, at 1468 South Novato Boulevard, stands on 1.37 acres of property on which Bobo wants to build a 28-unit apartment complex. It is the oldest house existing in the city of Novato, probably built in the 1840’s. It was the home of Novato’s first postmaster, Henry F. Johnson, who was appointed February 2, 1856. Post office was probably operated in a general store adjacent to the home. Johnson was murdered, his body found floating in a trough in front of the house and the post office was closed in 1860. It was reopened five years later in Black Point. The building is believed to have been first owned by the Pacheco family of Rancho San Jose. Its lines are New England, in contrast to the pervading Spanish mission architecture of the time. Its design probably reflects the presence of a New England ship’s carpenter who -may have jumped ship in San Francisco harbor, deciding to stay in California. Bobo has offered the structure to the city. Architectural plans are scheduled to be considered by the city plan review committee tonight. The planning staff because the plans fail to protect the landmark oak and pine trees on the site and because of the monotonous placement of dwellings on the property is recommending that the plans be rejected.
– Chamber director Merle Sebald has agreed to serve as chairman of a city birthday party in January. Chamber directors at their luncheon meeting last week approved the appointment by President Ned Dean. The celebration will provide the city council an opportunity to express appreciation to committees, honor commissioners, give awards to citizens and recognize good architectural design. Earlier it appeared the Chamber was going to drop sponsorship of the annual city birthday dinner but agreed to help stage it again at the request of City Manager Charles Brown.
25 Years Ago
December 1996
– No one would have thought less of Jim and Kelly Poulos if, after the death of their son Frankie, they had simply given in to their grief and retired for a time from the world. But they didn’t do that. A father and mother’s grief became the impetus for two causes, improving safety on Highway 37 and the creation of the Frankie Poulos Foundation, which raises money for organizations serving Novato’s youth. Last week, their highway safety effort was recognized by the state. Jim Poulos was honored by the California State Senate for his campaign to have median barriers installed on Highway 37, the roadway that took his son’s life.
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