125 years ago – April 25, 1901
A New Train. Half-Fare Sunday Service Between Healdsburg and San Francisco.
Beginning with next Sunday the Railroad Company will run an extra train to San Francisco during the summer season. The rate will be one fare for the round trip between any two points on the line. The train will leave Healdsburg at 7:30 a. m. and arrive in San Francisco at 10:40. Returning the boat will leave San Francisco at 5 p. m., and the train will arrive in Healdsburg at 8:10. This will give visitors six hours in the city, which will afford ample time to enjoy the concert at Golden Gate Park or visit the Cliff House and Sutro Baths. The company is deserving of the liberal patronage of the people in return for the improved service.
75 years ago – April 26, 1951
Snack Barrels for 1st Battalion Will Be Set Up
Mrs. Arline Weyand, chairman of the First Battalion Committee, announced this week that plans have been made to set up barrels in grocery stores throughout the city where food stuffs can be left to send to the men of the adopted battalion. The snack drive will start tomorrow and will continue for a week. Such items as canned meats, wafers, packaged cheese, salami, relishes, cookies and candy are being sought. However, nothing in glass should be given. In addition, a container will be placed in the lobby of the Aven for candy bars. Mrs. Weyand also reported that the men of the adopted battalion can use more magazines as the strength of the battalion is now almost one thousand men. Wrapping of the bundles to be shipped overseas will be done Thursday night, May 5, and volunteers are welcome.
50 years ago – April 29, 1976
Plant Comes Down After Hundred Years
Demolition activities are near completion this week on an old prune packing plant at Fitch and Harmon Streets. The plant dates back close to a hundred years. The Redwood Engineering and Supply Company of Novato purchased the old structure and hopes to erect a new restaurant and shopping center.
A hearing will be held by the city Planning Commission May 11 at 8 p.m. on the firm’s rezoning request which, if approved, will necessitate amending the city’s General Plan. The commission will also consider putting other nearby lots in commercial service. Parents are warned to keep their children away from the site as portions of the shaky old building remain and could be extremely dangerous to unwary explorers.
Fruit shipments from the plant following World War I played an important role in government relief efforts to Europe. Later the building was purchased by Del Monte for use as a storage facility. For the past 20 years it has remained vacant and was nearly gutted by a fire two years ago. Demolition crews noted that the second story floor was four layers thick, and that the original poured concrete is extremely flakey. Timbers from the building are expected to be used in the new restaurant and boutique shops. Bricks from its face may also be used for decoration.
The Flashbackers are docents for the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, open Wed-Sun 11am to 4pm, 221 Matheson St., healdsburgmuseum.org.
