125 years ago – October 17, 1901
“RUSSIAN RIVER HOME-SEEKER” Publication Will Be Issued Next Month to Advertise This Section.
Ware & Cooke are preparing to issue, early in November, the initial number of the “Russian River Homeseeker.” It is the intention of this firm to undertake a more thorough advertisement of the northern part of Sonoma county than has ever been attempted heretofore. It is everywhere conceded that Sonoma is one of the very best counties in the State, and there is no questioning the fact that the very best part of Sonoma county lies north of Windsor. In climate, in richness of soil, in horticulture and in viticulture, the Russian River Valley equals, if it does not surpass, any other section of the State. Furthermore, the natural scenery of this valley is probably not equaled in any other valley in the State.
Yet this portion of Sonoma county is comparatively unknown. Why is this? The writer believes the chief reason lies in the fact that the people here have been so prosperous that they have become content with present surroundings and are not concerned with the growth and development of the country. Thousands of people seeking homes in California would come to Healdsburg and vicinity if they knew of the natural advantages of this section. The Homeseeker will contain just such information as the stranger seeking a location wants. The paper will be in pamphlet form, and will contain a description of the soil, climate, resources, etc., also articles descriptive of the towns in the northern part of the county, their population, industries, etc. It will be illustrated with photographic views of natural scenery, farm residences, business industries, etc. It will give the railroad facilities; the average temperature and rainfall; descriptions of the health resorts of this section of the county, and much other desirable information. It will also contain a list of improved and unimproved land for sale, with the price.
75 years ago – October 11, 1951
“Butch” Gibbs Is Recovering from Polio Attack
Byron C. “Butch” Gibbs, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron C. Gibbs, Dry Creek, who was stricken with poliomyelitis a week ago Tuesday passed the crisis of his illness Sunday and is responding nicely to treatment. Young Gibbs will be 13 years old next week and is an 8th grader at Healdsburg Union Elementary School, where his father is principal. Confined to the isolation ward of the Sonoma County Hospital Thursday, “Butch” last Tuesday was moved to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for special treatment. His response to treatment has not yet been determined, and he will remain at Memorial Hospital for some time. He can have visitors.
50 years ago – October 14, 1976
Larkfield Super Owners Purchase Purity Store
A family corporation, a father and his three sons, have purchased Healdsburg’s Purity Store. Milt Molsberry and his sons, Robert, Tim and Rick, owners of the Larkfield Super, concluded negotiations with Northern California Supermarkets. Inc., Hayward, which has owned the Purity Store since 1972. The Molsberrys will assume ownership this Sunday. No purchase price was disclosed.
The company now owns eight other Purity and Budget Basket supermarkets and does not contemplate selling them. Milt Molsberry, a native of Minot, N.D., started working in groceries in his after-school hours and has been in the business ever since. He is 62. He has worked in area supermarkets since 1939 including managing the Sebastopol Purity Store and started the Larkfield Super 16 years ago when it was the only store in the area.
Between them, Molsberry and his sons have 100 years in the grocery business. They expect that the current Purity work force of 10 employees will be increased (the Larkfield Super has 14) and have said its name will remain the same for the immediate future.
Contributed by docents of the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society, open Wednesdays through Sundays 11am to 4pm, 209 Matheson St., healdsburgmuseum.org.
