Mike Read/Pages From The Past
(Editor’s note: Pages From The Past is compiled from past issues of the Novato Advance.)
100 Years Ago
December 1920
— Dr. H.C. Conradt retired capitalist, Novato, known here, dropped dead Monday while working in the garden at his home near Novato. Heart trouble caused the death. Dr. Conradt had previously been in his usual good health, and his death was unexpected. The coroner was notified, and an inquest will be held. The funeral will take place in San Francisco today and will be attended by relatives and friends. Dr. Conradt was a close friend of Mr. and Ms. J.H. Bond of this city, who were grieved yesterday on learning the sad news. The deceased and the Bond families had been friends since the early days. Rev. J. Bond, father of J.H. Bond, officiated at the marriage of Dr, Conradt and his first wife in Chicago in 1872. Dr. Conradt was then starting to practice dentistry. Dr. Conradt was a native of Germany, aged 70 years, and he was the husband of Mrs. Maria Conradt, his second wife, and the father of Charlotte Conradt, Mrs. Minnie Lawrence, Mrs. Emma Skidmore, Mrs. Ede Buffman and the late Mrs. Martha King the children by his first marriage. For many years he practiced dentistry in San Francisco. Later he retired and removed to Novato, where he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for many years. He was succeeded by Judge Rudolff. The deceased owned property in San Francisco and Novato.
75 Years Ago
December 1945
— At the meeting of the Marin County supervisors, Nuselle was given the go ahead sign for the establishment of a restaurant on his property, the former Conrad estate, (Hilltop) after filling the requirements of the Marin County planning commission, for the building of a hedge or other barriers on the north line of his property, to build a private road from the Redwood highway for the use of his patrons, who will not use Hayden Road, with the further provision that all buildings, new and old, will comply with the architecture of the present building, the former Conrad mansion.
— Father Joseph McGlave announced Sunday that all Christmas and other offerings would be used as a fund to build a parish hall on the two lots purchased through Father O’Fahey, joining the church property. The church has been fully paid for during the pastorate of Father O’Fahey and its adjoining parochial residence was paid for during the pastorate of Father O’Connor, the two buildings costing about $50,000. The proposed hall is needed as a social gathering place for the younger generation, and the many social affairs sponsored by the church.
50 Years Ago
December1970
Parks and recreation commissioners Monday night approved a compromise design for Pioneer Memorial Park cemetery, in which gravestones on the knoll will remain erect and those on the slopes and level ground below will be placed flat. Present at the meeting were Frank Galli, Wilfred Lieb and Peg Coady of the Marin Historical Society and the Novatans to Preserve Historical Landmarks The cemetery reconstruction will be a major feature of second phase development of the park, for which $30,000 has been budgeted. Voluntary labor and private contributions are expected to make possible completion of park development. The second phase includes four tennis courts, two of them night-lighted, restrooms, landscaping, and irrigation facilities, as well as a children’s play area.
— Barlow & Sons Printing Co. has acquired the building it occupies at 902 Grant Avenue, which includes the leased coin-operated laundry on the corner of Grant and Machin Avenues. Les Barlow made the purchase from Alfred W. Bowman and has no immediate expansion of his printing operations are needed, but there’s always that future possibility.
— Novato Supervisor William Gnoss last week was presented a certificate of service by Dale Luehring, director of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, in appreciation of “16 years of service to Marin County.” Gnoss, who is stepping down as supervisor at the end of the year, was accompanied by his wife, Gretchen, in accepting the award. The presentation was made last week at the start of the weekly board of supervisors meeting in the Marin Civic Center.
25 Years Ago
December 1995
— Judy Arnold of Novato, who helped orchestrate the campaigns for Measures A and B in support of the Buck Center for Research in Aging has announced her candidacy for 4th District supervisor. Gary Giacomini, who’s held the seat since 1970, has announced he will not seek re-election. His term expires in January 1997. Arnold, who took part in Giacomini’s first campaign and became the county’s first supervisor’s aide, is the fourth candidate to take out papers for the March 1996 primary race. She joins John Hess of Larkspur, Dome LeMieux of Bolinas and Steve Kinsey of the San Geronimo Valley in vying for the job. The oddly configured 4th District includes portions of Novato, rural West Marin from Tomales to Muir Beach, the San Geronimo Valley, Larkspur, Corte Madera, San Quentin Village and the Canal area of San Rafael. About 4,000 Novato voters — mostly in Pleasant Valley and Wild Horse Valley — live in the 4th District.
— The Novato Chamber of Commerce will have a new leader when the executive director position changes hands in the new year. Current executive director Marie Davalos will step down from her post Jan. 22 after 13 years in the job. Taking her place is Suzanne Dunwell, former director of both the Sausalito and Mill Valley chambers of commerce. Dunwell became executive director of the Sausalito Chamber in 1987 and took over in Mill Valley in 1991.
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