Mike Read/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
October 1923
– A Novato reporter for San Rafael and Petaluma„ papers recently expressed himself as against the renaming of Simmons Lane by a few people at its upper end, as it will tend to confuse titles given to their land. While I am at the end of Feliz Road, branching from that lane, “it is none of my business if residents of a little corner adopt a freak name, but I will certainly object to being included in such a fanciful title as they have proposed. Simmons was an early owner of this region, after Fernando Fales, or Feliz, was granted 8,872 acres in 1839, by Juan B. Alvarado, representing the Mexican government. These are historical titles with a meaning, and they should not be disturbed by a fanciful name. Simmons Lane and Feliz Road are the only entrances to a district that will extend southward two miles, on subdivision of the Freitas tract, to be forced by pressure of population and high prices secured from such extension. Present and future homeowners in this beautiful locality are entitled to a pleasing name, based on something belonging to the soil or district.
– First With Gas. – Mrs. Geo. B. Jones was the first lady in Ignacio to use gas for cooking. She prepared her dinner in that way on Sept. 24. The same day the other houses on the White property were similarly equipped. It is probable that other residents of the village will likewise avail themselves of this convenience. Mrs. Jones is the mother of George S. Jones, the popular businessman of Ignacio, and the proprietor of the Petaluma and Sonoma auto stage line. – Petaluma Argus.
75 Years Ago
October 1948
– The ‘Dew Drop Inn’ under the proprietorship of Mr. Chas. Sullivan will open for business on Saturday at its location next to Hill Brothers Hardware store on Grant Avenue. Merchant lunches, candies, cigars, sandwiches, etc. will be featured at the new establishment.
– The firm of H. C. Ascherman & Son, owners of two grocery stores in Petaluma, extended their holdings this week, when they bought out Corfield’s Market, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Shirley T. Corfield. The new owners will take over officially on Monday, October 25th, and they are already planning numerous changes, including the addition of a much larger stock of merchandise. Mr. and Mrs. Corfield/have no definite plans for the future, but expect to remain in Novato.
– At the San Anselmo home of Dr. Lynn T. White, Eleanor Carlile and John Dickey of San Francisco, exchanged wedding vows at a quiet ceremony attended only by members of the family. C.E. Carlile gave his daughter in marriage at the 6:30 services last Saturday evening with Dr. White officiating. The newlyweds plan to make their home in San Francisco. Where Mr. Dickey is a civil engineer for the Western Pacific Railroad Company.
50 Years Ago
October 1973
– News that the Firestone Tire Company plans to build a new store on Highway 101 next to the Viking Bar came as a shock to Ron Lammer who owns Novato Tire and Brake service across the street. Lommer says he has a valid Firestone franchise and has contacted his attorney to “get the matter straightened out.” In the meantime, the planning commission is scheduled to consider plans for the new 3,000 square foot Firestone store.
– The City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission more or less agreed they wanted no carousels at O’Hair Park but they went round and round on what should be put there last night. After a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, the council voted to give no more consideration to putting Western Weekend there “at this time” and to postpone a decision on interim use for 30 days until the new parks and recreation director arrives from Reno.
– Precise development plans for Taco Bell Restaurant at a new site—the southwest corner of Grant and Machin Avenues is one of the items to be considered by the city planning commission. The City Council recently upheld a turn-down of plans for a Taco Bell across from the Community House.
– The Novato Fire Department, always ready to assist a beleaguered citizen, responded Sunday to a middle of the night leaking waterbed emergency. At 3:30 a.m. Robert Sargent and his wife woke to discover that their waterbed had sprung a major leak. Thinking that the fire department might have a pump, Sargent called for their help. The pump was out being repaired, but firemen nevertheless helped by holding the bed together until a hose could begin siphoning off the approximately 800 gallons of water. Firemen then helped mop up the excess. “This is probably the first time you’ve’ answered this kind of call,” a grateful Sargent said afterward. “No,” a fireman answered, “we’ve done this lots of times before.”
25 Years Ago
October 1998
– For some commuters, it’s been unqualified hell as seemingly more and more cars squeeze into one less lane. A little more than two months after Caltrans implemented new, longer hours for the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes on Highway 101, the reviews are mixed. – The City of Novato blasted the changes in a recent letter to Caltrans, saying the result is that people in Novato—residents and businesses—have especially been inconvenienced. “It used to be that people could leave earlier and make a quicker trip because all the lanes were open,” said Novato Mayor Carole Dillon Knutson. “Now it doesn’t matter what time people leave because the traffic backs up longer to get places.”
– Elaine Jacob, who took part in Dozens of Novato Community players productions over the years, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, of cancer complicated by a stroke. She passed away at her home in Rohnert Park at the age of 71. She and her husband moved to Sonoma County this past summer. “She made all my shows good,” said her husband of 52 years, Joe Jacob, the first member of the family to get involved in Novato’s community theater company. Mrs. Jacob, born in Salt Lake City, came to San Francisco as a young child. She graduated from Washington High School in The City and soon after married Joe. The couple came to Novato in 1947 and began raising a family. Her husband, who had been involved in school plays, turned out for a Novato Community Players show. “Before long, I had Elaine involved,” he said. While he directed and acted, she choreographed, danced and made costumes. She’d always been a good dancer; as a 12-year-old, she’d danced at the 1939 World’s Fair at Treasure Island.
– Gregory James Ghilotti, a third-generation Marin County contractor and a longtime Novato resident, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Novato on Monday morning, Sept. 28,1998. Mr. Ghilotti was 47. He was the vice president, project superintendent and safety officer for Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc. of San Rafael. He was a co-owner, with his brothers, of the business.
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