125 years ago – January 24, 1901
Work on the Presbyterian Church Now Under Way
The laying of the corner-stone of the Presbyterian Church on Friday afternoon took place with great eclat. The weather was fine and the attendance large. There were representatives from every denomination and the addresses were excellent.
The pastor, Rev. J. C. Burgess, presided and gave out a hymn which was sung by the congregation. The pastor then in a few well-chosen words stated the purpose of the meeting and the symbolic meaning of the cornerstone. The pastor then brought forward an iron box containing the following documents: The first record of the First Presbyterian Church of Healdsburg, dated October 10th, 1858, the names of the organizers, names of the pastors and elders since the organization, names of members January 1st, 1901, Trustees, Building Committee, Committee of Inspection, the officers of the Sunday school and Sabbath-school roll, officers and members of the C. E. Society, officers of the Womans’ Home and Foreign Mission Society, and the Ladies’ Aid, copy of the Tribune, bearing date January 1, 1901, Sotoyome Sun, bearing date of December 31st, 1900, and Enterprise of January 11th, 1901, and a document drawn up by Prof. Bull containing interesting statements regarding the schools of Healdsburg.
Mr. John Flack, one of the oldest members in the church, consigned the box to its place, and with a silver trowel securely embedded it in the cornerstone. The new church, which will be substantial and commodious, is now being erected on the site adjoining the manse, on Fitch street, between Matheson and Tucker streets. It will consist of an auditorium 42 feet square, a study, ladies’ parlor, Sabbath-school room and a spacious kitchen with modern conveniences.
75 years ago – January 25, 1951
C of C Appoints Yakima Committee
The Board of Directors, Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, met Saturday, 12 noon, Chamber Building, to discuss financial arrangements for the second annual spring training camp to be held here by the Yakima Bears, San Francisco Seals’ farm baseball club. A committee composed of attorney Francis Passalacqua, Henry 0. Williams, and Louis Luciani was named to meet with Joseph Orengo, business manager of the San Francisco Seals.
50 years ago – January 22, 1976
Trowbridge case supported by Attorney General
W.C. “Bob” Trowbridge says “it certainly doesn’t hurt my case,” that the State Attorney General has joined him in the state appeals court to argue that the Russian River should be considered navigable. Deputy Attorney General John Briscoe presented arguments last Thursday before the San Francisco appeals court, asking that it reverse a 1974 Superior Court decision that declared an 11-mile stretch of the Russian River is unnavigable. The appeals court listened to his arguments that the decision endangers public access and rights to the stretch of river between the Alexander Valley Bridge and Del Rio Woods Park and Recreation District beach.
Trowbridge filed a suit in 1973 when the Del Rio Woods Recreation District partially obstructed the river with a boom to keep the canoeists using Trowbridge’s boats from the Del Rio beach and parking lot. Congestion in the area because of the canoe traffic has long been a sore point with local residents. The Superior Court decision was based on the lowered water level of the river in the summer. Without Coyote Dam, the river would be dry, and therefore unnavigable, ruled Judge Vernon Stoll in 1974.
Healdsburg attorney Francis Passalacqua, representing the Del Rio Woods Recreation District, says the Russian River is in a state of flux because at present the state Department of Fish and Game is recommending rediversion of water from the Russian back to the Eel River, and because Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has not had its license to operate the Van Arsdale dam renewed. Water from the Eel is currently diverted through the Van Arsdale dam to the Russian River, giving it flow in the summer months. Passalacqua believes the courts should not make a declaration that the river is navigable if political decisions can deprive the river of future summer water flows.
The Healdsburg Museum is open for visitors from Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4pm. healdsburgmuseum.org.
