100 years ago – July 19, 1923
Ball Fans ‘Kick’ Against Aviators
Many complaints have been made by spectators attending the baseball games against the airplanes which, almost every Sunday, do flying tricks over the crowded grandstand and bleachers.
During the Napa game a plane swooped down over the bleachers, a few hundred feet from the ground, in a faked landing, and then rose to resume its flight toward Alexander Valley. It appeared as if the machine was going to land on the ball field so much so that players of the Napa team, then in the field, ran for safety.
The baseball management requests local flyers to refrain from these tactics, stating that the authorities will be appealed to unless the practice is discontinued. There is a state law against aviators performing tricks over places where spectators are assembled.
75 years ago – July 23, 1948
Crowds Increase at County Fair Night Saturday
Sonoma County Fair Night will be held at the band concert in the Healdsburg Plaza Saturday night, with guest entertainment in addition to the band including several of the entertainment acts to be presented at the forthcoming Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.
With interest growing in the concerts each week, arrangements are being made for increasing the seating capacity in the Plaza to accommodate the evening crowds. Last Saturday night more than 2,000 persons thronged the Plaza and sat in cars around it to hear Band Leader Roy Chilton and his Healdsburg Summer Band present an outstanding concert, with KSRO Announcer Jack Murphy as master of ceremonies.
Thrills a-plenty were provided the crowd by Cecil and Shirley, sensational roller-skating act that formerly toured the world with CSO shows. Guest soloist last weekend was Joe Novelli of Santa Rosa, with community singing added as a new feature of the evening’s entertainment.
This Saturday night’s show will include an array of dancing acts from Dinah’s Dancepades, along with “boogie woogie” by beautiful Norma Beshilas of the Alibi Club at Santa Rosa. The following week, July 31, will be “Fitch Mountain Night” at the band concert, with entertainment provided by Fitch Mountain residents and resorts.
50 years ago – July 19, 1973
Mill St. Interchange Bids Ordered
The call for bids on the Mill St.-Healdsburg Ave. interchange project was authorized by the City Council Monday night, signaling the end of the city’s biggest traffic headache. City Engineer Robert Rose estimated the interchange costs at a total of $110,000. Of this the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and Public Utilities Commission are expected to contribute $40,000, with the city and county splitting the remaining $70,000.
The project will provide for left turn lanes on Healdsburg Ave., automatic gates to stop traffic for trains, and signals to allow traffic from Mill St. to cross. It will also widen parts of Mill St. to allow better traffic circulation and provide a right-turn lane on to Healdsburg Ave. going south.
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.
