Flashbacks for April 2, 2026
125 years ago – April 4, 1901
City Trustees Contract for Reservoir Awarded
The Board of City Trustees met in regular session Monday evening, all the members being present. Trustee Favour reported for the Street Committee that the sprinkling wagons were in good repair and ready for work. Trustee Merchant, who had been appointed to a committee on the sale of the site of the old pumping station, owned by the city, for the purpose of erecting a slaughter house thereon, reported as not in favor of the sale, as it would be in too close proximity to the city’s present water supply, and might contaminate it.
The committee appointed to plant rose bushes in the Plaza asked for further time. Trustee Merchant commented on the appearance of the Plaza and thought it should be better taken care of. Bids as follows for the construction of the new reservoir were opened and James Stanley of Oakland, winner of the bid, agreed to complete the contract within thirty days after it was commenced. There was some discussion as to the site of the new reservoir.
75 years ago – April 5, 1951
Flaming Truck Driven Through Healdsburg Streets to Find Fire Department
With reactions akin to those of Mahomet watching the mountain come to him, the Healdsburg Fire Department tumbled out on Center street to quench a furiously blazing lumber truck that, spouting flame and smoke, rolled up to the firehouse for a spot of fire suppression Monday afternoon.
When the truck and trailer stopped in front of the fire department, the rear differential and truck bed of the two-unit truck, along with the four rear tires, was afire. Amount of damage to the vehicle was not reported. The truck, driven by Abe Vizart of Santa Rosa, was moving south on Highway 101 when he discovered the fire. Before reaching the fire house the truck traveled several blocks through the heart of the city’s crowded business district.
Had the truck’s tires blown out, Fire Chief Sullivan pointed out, serious human and property damage would have followed. Stressing the potential danger Sullivan said that the driver should have stopped as soon as he discovered the fire and called the fire department.
50 years ago – April 1, 1976
Pillsbury to Sell Souverain
The Pillsbury Company, which in 1972 decided to add wine to its empire of packaged cake mixes and flour products, last week gave up its Souverain winery after absorbing a steady beating in the California wine industry.
For roughly $9 million Pillsbury agreed to sell the Souverain winery, restaurant, and land holdings in Geyserville to North Coast Cellars, an association of more than 100 independent grape growers, and managed by The North Coast Grape Growers Association. No staff changes are expected, except perhaps one or two Pillsbury employees.
Pillsbury, which also owns the “Burger King” chain, has taken a financial drubbing almost since entering the wine business. Lou Gelfland, public affairs director for Pillsbury, blamed the failure on an oversupply of grapes and cheap prices.
Flashbacks are provided by docents of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. The museum is open 11am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday. healdsburgmuseum.org
