100 years ago – June 28, 1923
Local Terminal for Disputed Geysers Bus Granted
The contest between Healdsburg and Cloverdale for the right to the title, “The Gateway to the Geysers,” has been decided in favor of this city. Word was received from the railroad commission on Thursday that A. B. Forrest, local garage man, has been granted a certificate to operate an auto stage line between Healdsburg and the Geysers, serving the Harlan ranch and Little Sulphur creek and intermediate points.
The unexpected angle to the application for the certificate developed at the public hearing held some time ago in the city hall here, when an examiner from the railroad commission heard testimony favorable to and protests against the granting of the certificate. Representatives of the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce appeared to testify against the applicant, declaring the proposed bus line was unnecessary and would serve no public convenience.
Under direct questioning, it was admitted that the real reason for their testimony was that Cloverdale wanted to be known as “The Gateway to the Geysers,” according to the report of the hearing at that time.
75 years ago – June 25, 1948
Recruits Rush to Nat’l Guard As Draft Bill Approaches
Headquarters of the Healdsburg National Guard have been kept busy the past few days examining and processing new applicants who are rushing to get sworn into the organization before President Harry Truman signs the new draft law subjecting single men between the ages of 18 and 25 to serve 21 months in the army.
The National Guard is the alternative offered to young men in lieu of serving in the regular army for the 21-months duration. Only 75 more vacancies exist in the local unit, and since recruits are drawn from most of northern Sonoma County, there is a good chance that this quota will be filled. The new recruits joining the National Guard sign up for a period of one to three years. This consists of 48 Monday night drills each year, in addition to a two-week summer camp training session each year.
50 years ago – June 28, 1973
National Tube Title at Stake at Camp Rose
At the blast of the cannon, racers boarded their inner tubes Sunday at 1pm for the final preliminary heat before the finals of the first National Tube Racing Championships, to be held July 4 on the yet unmeasured Russian River course from Del Rio beach to Camp Rose beach. An official of the Fitch Mountain Tube Racing Association stated flat out that the boom of the home-made cannon “was loud enough to drive anyone into the water.” Dennis Stepp recorded the best time of the preliminary heats Sunday when he traveled the distance of between three and four furlongs in 14 minutes and 20 seconds.
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.
