125 years ago – May 9, 1901
The Fountain: The Beautiful Structure Presented to the People of Healdsburg
The beautiful fountain presented to the people of Healdsburg is a great credit to the firm who built it and a monument lasting and honorable to the ladies of the Improvement Club. All credit to you, ladies, and may each thirsty soul who drinks at this fountain of purest water utter a prayer for your eternal welfare and happiness.
The fountain is a monolithic shaft, crowned by an ornamental bronze electric lamp of five lights of 32 candle-power each. The shaft of white granite is done in what is termed hammered granite, with a border of rock-face. There are four drinking fountains, with basins cut from the solid block of granite. The lights are supplied by electricity taken from the city’s main line on Center street, and the current is conveyed by an underground cable which crosses the Plaza to the fountain and up through the interior of the shaft.
On the side facing West street is a polished panel bearing the following legend: “Presented to the City of Healdsburg by the Ladies’ Improvement Club, 1900.” Three artificial stone steps from the four sides lead up to the fountain platform. In the day time the fountain is a conspicuous object in the Plaza, and at night its beauty is enhanced by the cluster of brilliant lights crowning it.
75 years ago – May 17, 1951
Junior Riders to Stage Annual Lytton Show
With a change of location, the annual Memorial Day Horse Show given by the Junior Auxiliary of the Russian River Riders for the benefit of Lytton Home, will be held as usual May 30. Instead of the Lytton Home grounds, the Show this year will be held on the Russian River Riders’ grounds just north of town. Preceding the grand entry at 1 p.m., the contestants will ride from Healdsburg to the grounds. There is no admission charge, but a collection will be taken during the afternoon. Trophies will be presented to all first-place winners, with ribbons going to winners first through fifth places. Horse show manager is Don Potts, Sandy Grove is acting as secretary.
50 years ago – May 20, 1976
NY Importer Enters Domestic Wine Market by Buying Simi
A major importer of European wines and spirits has entered the domestic wine market with the purchase of Simi Winery in Healdsburg. William J. Schieffelin, III, chairman of Schieffelin & Co., an importer since 1794, announced the purchase of the 100-year-old winery from Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, Ltd., of Edinburgh, Scotland.
“For several years, Schieffelin has watched the growing importance of the California wine industry and has been conducting a careful search for a suitable winery,” said Morton Reifer, executive vice president of Schieffelin. “Acquisition of Simi culminates this search and establishes a position for our company in the highly attractive California wine industry, while adding an exciting new dimension to our business.” Purchase price of the winery was not disclosed, but it is believed to be about $2 million.
Michael D Dixon, president of Simi since 1974, will continue as president. Andre Tchelistcheff, one of America’s leading winemakers, will continue as a consulting enologist, and Mary Ann Graff will continue as winemaker. Jack Lofmark will continue as general manager. The purchase of Simi is the first winery to be owned by the company. Simi will produce only varietals in the future, with all grapes coming from the Alexander Valley.
The Flashbackers are docents for the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am to 4pm. healdsburgmuseum.org
