125 years ago – March 7, 1901
A fine building; F.A. Kruse block completed
The fine Kruse building, which is located on the south side of the Plaza, is about completed, and those who have rented stores and offices have moved or are moving in. The building is a substantial ornament to the town, being modern and up-to-date, constructed of the best brick to be obtained in this State.
The lower floor is divided into three fine store rooms with large show windows of plate glass. There are four sets of offices on the second floor and a fine broad staircase leading to them from the front of the building. All of the offices have bay windows. The entrance to the stores on the first floor is laid in ornamental tessellated tiling, presenting a neat and attractive appearance. Over the cornice in a semi-oval panel is the following legend in raised gold letters; “Kruse Building, erected in 1900.’’ The architecture is modern renaissance.
Mr. Fred Kruse superintended the entire construction of the edifice. The west room is occupied by Wells, Fargo & Co.’s office and the Western Union telegraph office. The middle store is occupied by Vitousek & Co., a first-class shoe store, and they have an elegant display of goods in their windows. The east and third store is rented but is not yet occupied. Ascending the easy flight of stairs, you enter the dental parlors of Dr. J. M. McClish which are fitted up very tastefully, and with the latest appliances for performing first-class work. A covered porch extends along the entire rear of the building, furnishing a fine outside view for the upper rooms, and a portico for the rear of the stores on the lower floor.
The building is Healdsburg’s most complete modern structure and Mr. Kruse has shown a most commendable public spirit in making the improvement.
75 years ago – March 1, 1951
A letter to parents about civil defense
Dear Parent: In cooperation with the national, state and local policies to strengthen civilian defense, we want you to know that every possible precaution is being taken to promote the safety of your children in the schools of this county. Fire drills are an important part of the school program; they will be continued and in addition air raid drills will be held at regular intervals so that children may know what to do in the event of a disaster.
Plans are being made to determine the safest place in the school for children to be, so that in event of a warning, children will know what to do in the classroom, on the playground, or on the way to or from school. In event of an air raid, it is felt that it is better for our boys and girls to continue under as normal a school situation as possible. Children will be kept in school until directed otherwise by the principal who will be guided by advice from competent authorities.
The schools are also asking you to help by not telephoning or coming to the schools in case of an air raid warning or attack. Each adult in the building has assigned duties in the care of our many children and cannot neglect these duties to give attention to a call regarding any one child, and also we need to keep communication lines open. We trust that a bombing will never be a reality, but we are adopting these precautions for the safety of your children.
Charles W. Wiggins,
Chief of Civil Defense Training Service
50 years ago – March 4, 1976
Officers, bylaws chosen Historical Society breaks ground
Members of the city’s newest society got their bylaws just the way they wanted them last week. Meeting Thursday, 52 members of the Healdsburg Historical Society elected their 1976 officers and approved bylaws. The society, a non-profit organization, has been started to help in recording the history of the Healdsburg area through the collection and preservation of historical materials. It will work as the “citizen’s arm” for the city’s new museum, particularly with regard to fund raising.
Officers for the first year include: Ed Langhart, president; Rose Demoslene, vice-president; and Carol Barbieri, recording secretary. The membership adopted its new name without dissent, although discussion was also given to honoring the names of the Pomo Indians and the Rancho Sotoyome in the title.
The first project for the society will be to raise funds for display cases in the new museum, which is expected to open this summer in the community center recently purchased by the city at 133 Matheson St. Also high on the priority list will be the cataloguing of historical materials that are now stacked to the ceiling in the city’s archives. Langhart proposed that the society begin a catalogue of old issues of The Tribune, and its predecessors.
Compiled by docents of the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society, 221 Matheson St. Open 11am to 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
