Mike Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
November 1923
– Yard Changes Name – Mr. Chas. Kiser, local manager of the Novato Lumber Yard, announces that from now on the local yard will be known as the Henry Hess Co. Novato Lumber Yard. At the time the company purchased the yard from Mr. R.H. Trumbull, it was announced that they would carry on the business under the name of Jensen & Schlosser Lumber & Mill Co., which yard they also operate until some future time. From now on all the yards owned by Henry Hess Co., will be operated under this name including the Jensen & Schlosser yard in San Rafael. The company has their own mills, which enable them to furnish the best grades of lumber and millwork obtainable and also to make prices to compete with any other yards.
75 Years Ago
November 1948
– Fire completely destroyed the kitchen at Novato Café, together with most all of the equipment and food, in the Chinese restaurant in the DeBorba building at Grant Avenue and Scott Street at an estimated loss of $3,000. The dining room was damaged by smoke and water. The blaze was said to have been caused by spilled grease. The operator of the restaurant is Sid Lock, a Chinese. The DeBorba bar, which is in the same building, and Carlisle Hardware store which adjoins were not damaged due to the fine work of the Novato volunteer fire department. It was reported that the stoves in the restaurant were the only equipment saved although they were damaged.
50 Years Ago
November 1973
– An embarrassing situation obtained at Our Lady of Loretto’s Harvest Festival held over the weekend at IDESI Hall. The producers of the festival hired security guards (from the ranks of the Novato police reserves) to ward off any untoward incidents Things went fine for the first two days of the festival but on the third day (Sunday) a reserve officer determined use of a “spin the wheel ‘ game and a “cherry bell’ game constituted illegal gambling. The offending devices were confiscated by police who say they still have the matter under investigation. ‘ One caller to the Advance lamented, “How about that —we hire a guard at $9.50 per hour and he ends up busting us.”
– Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will observe its 25th anniversary as a worshipping congregation Sunday. The first service of the then new mission was held on Nov. 7, 1948, at Hilltop Ranch, the home of Mrs. Marie Brindel who is still a member of the parish. The late Right Rev. Karl Morgan Block, bishop of California at that time, conducted the service. Church records reflect that parishioners held services at the Novato Community House until living quarters were built for Father Farmer on Fifth Street, just south of Grant Avenue. Worship services were subsequently held in the living room-chapel of the rectory which now houses the church office. The Chapel of Saint Claire, Novato’s only outdoor chapel, was constructed and used for services during clement weather until the present church edifice was completed in 1952.
– Plans for two subdivisions in Novato—both in an upper price bracket—have been announced by the McCarthy Company’s Northern California division. The firm will build 40 homes in Bahia on a ridge overlooking the Petaluma River. Prices of the homes will range from $64,000 to $84,000, according to Division vice president G. Wesley Phillips. Also planned are 125 homes in Bel-Marin Keys. These will be in the $54,000 to $68,000 price range. Phillips says construction will start at both locations about November 24, and the first homes will be completed in April or May. The development at Bahia will be called Vista Bahia. The three-level homes will have three, four or five bedrooms. The homes will be built on two landlocked lagoons south of the existing Bel-Marin Keys homes. Water connections for both projects have been approved, McCarthy said.
25 Years Ago
November 1998
– The second time proved charming for Novato City Councilmember Cynthia Murray who was elected Tuesday night, Nov. 3 to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Murray, who tried unsuccessfully four years ago to gain the 5th District Supervisor’s seat this time handily defeated former Novato City Councilmember Susan Stompe in a runoff election after failing to receive 50 percent (plus one) of the votes in a three-way June primary. Tuesday, Murray received 9,027 votes (54.2 percent) to 7,640 (45.8 percent) for Stompe.
– A Marin judge dealt Novato skateboarders and inline skaters another setback last month. Superior Court Judge William McGivern ruled that the City of Novato must conduct a full Environmental Impact Report on the proposed skatepark at Marion Park. The ruling was a victory for Marion Park Associates, which owns the apartment building adjacent to the proposed park. The complex owners filed a lawsuit against the city Feb. 19.
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