Mike Reed/Pages From the Past
100 Years Ago
August 1921
— The Novato Farm Center, at its meeting last Friday evening went on record favoring a bond issue for the erection of a modern grammar school building to replace the one now in use. A straw vote on the proposition was taken at the meeting of the Center, there being 72 for and none against it. Much enthusiasm was manifest during the meeting leaving no doubt that the bond election would be successful. Six years ago, the citizens of this thriving little town attempted to vote bonds for the same proposition, but the bugaboo of high tax advocated by a few, frightened many away from the polls and the issue was defeated. At the meeting Friday a few of those opposing the issue six years ago announced that they favored the issue at this time. The proposed new building will be erected on the present site of the old school. The lot was given to the district by a grandfather of Supervisor Sweetser, in 1868. The Farm Center will hold another meeting soon when tentative plans will be submitted by several different architects. Last year the Novato grammar school had an enrollment of 155 pupils, with an average daily attendance of 128. It has three teachers.
75 Years Ago
August 1946
— Mr. and Mrs. Engene Threadgall are residing in San Francisco pending the completion of their home on Plum Street, when material becomes available.
— A grass fire at 6 p.m. Saturday called the firemen to Grant Avenue, the third fire in the same block in three days, the first of which caused the death of A. Lierly and burned the 4-room cottage in which he was living. The second fire completely razed the cottage, the third fire was a grass fire in the same neighborhood.
— Death claimed Manuel A. Nunes, widely known Novato resident. He was the husband of the late Maria R. Nunes and the father of Manuel E., Tony, George, Thomas, Joseph Nunes and Mrs. Mary Azevedo. He leaves eleven grandchildren. A native of the Azores Island and aged 77 at the time of his death. He was a member of the I.D.E.S.I. of Novato. Coming to Novato 36 years ago as a dairyman, he was a large ranch owner, which included his home on Novato Boulevard where he passed away.
— Novato veterans, meeting in the Community House, heard the draft of their constitution and by-laws as drawn up by Dr. C. D. Stafford and his committee. Additions, suggestions, corrections, etc. will be made at the meeting on the 19th, when the group will vote on the adoption.
— Mr. and Mrs. George Hale of Black Point filled their truck with hay to take a group for a picnic at Inverness Beach for a picnic lunch. A birthday cake told of the second birthday of their son, Larry Hale.
— Mr. and Mrs. Robert Manzoni entertained the Novato baseball team of which “Babe” Manzoni is a member, last Sunday after the game, at a barbecue at the big dairy ranch of Mr. Manzoni’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hairein, Sonoma.
— Novato baseball team continued its winning streak when it defeated the Marin City All-Stars by a score of 15 to 3 Sunday. Richard Connell was on the mound. “Babe” Silva connected for a home run in the sixth frame.
50 Years Ago
August 1971
Someday Novato will have a full-fledged civic center complex. The council has taken the first new step in that direction by okaying $33,500 for purchase of the house and lot shown here as “A” on Machin Avenue across Blodgett Lane from the Community House. Three vacant lots, “M” “L” and “K,” on the south side of Delong Avenue, can be considered “hot lots” in terms of acquiring them as soon as possible. The council has authorized City Manager Charles Brown to actively negotiate for purchase of the three lots. “M” is owned by the John Silva estate, care of C. Belo of St. Vincent’s School. It measures 11,200 square feet and is valued at $2,300. “L” measures 14,000 square feet and is valued at $3,450. It’s owned by Laura Simmons and others, 900 Sherman Avenue. “K” is owned by James G. and Lily M. Choy of San Francisco. It measures 14,000 square feet, with a value of $5,290. Owners of the seven parcels, “B” through “H,” between Sherman and Reichert Avenues north of DeLong Avenue and south of Cain Lane, also are being informed by the city that these properties are being eyed for future civic center acquisition. Parcels “I” and “J” would require public access of the city redeveloped the entire two-block area south of the commercially zoned property on Grant Avenue.
25 Years Ago
August 1996
— Phase 1 of the Edgewater condominium project on South Novato Boulevard is almost complete. When finished, it will include two buildings, one with 30 two-bedroom, two-bath condos and the other containing eight split-level townhomes. Prices range from $195,000 to $210,000 and include a community pool, hot tub, volleyball court, and picnic area. Phase I should be finished by the end of October. Phase II calls for another 30-condo building, and Phase III will be identical to Phase I. Both should be nearing completion by next summer.
— An innovation in rail technology—developed in Germany could go a long way in making commuter train service in Marin a reality sooner. It took 20 years and $42.5 million in federal, state and local transportation funds for the public to acquire the 300 miles of track from Larkspur to Willits. Freight traffic now runs along the line five days a week. Next summer, there are plans for excursion runs, possibly from Healdsburg to Willits. The cost of implementing commuter rail service has been estimated at $350 million to $400 million, in part because the track from Novato to Larkspur is in disrepair—even worse, the train tunnel in Larkspur is caved-in.
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