Healdsburg Police Chief Clyde McCord, 1930's
100 years ago – January 2, 1919
MASONIC TEMPLE BURNS – TWO DOCTORS’ OFFICES, FURNITURE STORE AND UNDERTAKING FIRM SUFFER LOSS—DAMAGE HEAVY.
At 12:45 Tuesday morning, Healdsburg was awakened by the strident call of the fire alarm, which excitedly told of a conflagration in progress. Night Watchman Clyde McCord had discovered flames issuing from the roof of the Masonic Temple. By the time sleepy citizens were awakened to a realization that something was wrong, the fire department was already busy. Running several lines of hose to the magnificent building, the fire lads battled valiantly but faced a losing battle with the old obsolete equipment furnished by the city, and were unable to prevent the flames from gutting the entire second floor of the Temple, with its expensively equipped lodge rooms. The water pressure was so inadequate that it would not reach the roof, would not break the glass in the second story windows, and it was necessary to run ladders to the windows to break holes through which to direct the water. By this time a large number of men, women and boys had appeared, and seeing that the building was apparently doomed, began carrying out the furniture and fixtures of the James Skee furniture store on the ground floor and the undertaking parlors of Clarence Curtis. It has been declared that the furnace was not in the best of condition, and sparks from the pipe lodged in the framework of the roof, smoldering there for hours before breaking out in flames.
75 years ago – January 7, 1944
Single Copy Price Raised to 10 Cents
The price of single copies of The Tribune and Enterprise has been raised to 10 cents, effective today. This price has been set after due consideration and is brought about because of the difficulties brought on by war conditions on the labor and paper situation. Over the counter single copy sales rose to over 145 copies last week. To provide for any unexpected demand, we have been forced to print more than 150 copies in excess of our paid circulation, which has likewise proportionately risen. We will be pleased to serve transient customers if they prefer to buy from week to week, and the management likewise will welcome you if you decide to subscribe by the year for $2.50 payable in advance.
25 years ago – January 5, 1994
Museum takeover is approved
The rescue of the city museum took a big step forward Monday night when the City Council approved an agreement that allows the Historical Society to run the city-owned facility. The vote to approve a lease and administration agreement with the all-volunteer Historical Society culminates a 21-month rescue mission. The city will lease the museum to the society for $1 a year, and pay for utilities, maintenance and insurance. The city will retain ownership of the facility and collections. The community’s taxes will no longer fund the museum, and so funds will have to be raised to keep the museum operating.
