100 years ago – May 24, 1923
Men of Eastern Star Are Hosts
The annual “Men’s Night” of Sotoyome Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, proved to be a highly successful affair, when the men of the chapter were hosts to the other members Tuesday night. Bridge and whist were played, there being 14 tables of bridge and five of whist.
After the card playing had been completed, a fine supper was served in the banquet hall. The menu consisted of baked ham, relishes, coffee and hot buns, and ice cream and cake. During the evening violin and vocal numbers were offered by Mr. and Mrs. Everett Miller, with Mrs. Charles McCord at the piano.
75 years ago – May 21, 1948
City Offered $105,000 Armory If Land Made Available
James Switzer, National Guard officer, said today the State of California has expressed its desire to build an Armory in Healdsburg if the city will appropriate two acres of land under a fifty-year lease at a rental price of one dollar a year.
Attending a meeting of the National Guard Monday evening, Colonel Winder, Sixth Army officer, informed the group that if land were made available, there was no reason why Healdsburg could not have a new Armory completed within eight months. If the proposed building were to become an actuality, there would be both a state and federal man stationed permanently in the city.
The building and operation of the building would be under the direct control of Healdsburg Company C of the National Guard, but would be available to outside groups upon request, Switzer said. The proposed building would include kitchen facilities for taking care of large groups.
50 years ago – May 24, 1973
Fair’s Come Long Way From First Edition in ’49
In 1949 a bunch of FFA kids sold a few vealers, lambs and pigs, and local organizations fashioned booths out of packing crates and prune trays to inaugurate the Healdsburg Future Farmers Fair on the present site of the Healdsburg Shopping Center.
Tonight at 6 p.m. the 24th annual fair will begin with the downtown parade which leads the way to the fairgrounds at Recreation Park. More than 75 entries, including seven marching bands, make up what promises to be a colorful, noisy parade, featuring the 1973 theme, “Ag Youth – The Crop That Never Fails”.
Parade marshals will be three retired fair directors Dr. Charles Campbell, Martin Frost and Richard Holtzen whose combined service on the fair board totals more than 40 years. The Mary Palmer 4-H Fashion Show and presentation of parade awards at the fairgrounds completes the opening night schedule. Open throughout the fair are the food, game and refreshment booths on the Gayway operated by nonprofit local organizations; and the arts, crafts, home economics and flower displays in the Boys Club.
Friday is animal judging day, and Saturday afternoon is devoted to Kids’ Day. The rousing climax is the junior livestock auction. Every year a new sales record has been established, and this year should not be an exception because of the large number of market lambs entered.
The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is located at 221 Matheson St. Open hours are 11am to 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free, donations accepted.
