100 years ago
December 11, 1924
‘SHOPPERS FOR CHRISTMAS FILL LOCAL STORES’
A journey to the various stores in Healdsburg shows a very complete line of all kinds of articles which are suitable for Christmas presents. The merchants of this city report Christmas buying in full swing. This city is fortunate in having almost every line of merchandise represented. There are articles from the most humble Christmas card, to the highest grade of expensive automobile, all ready for delivery to purchasers. Stocks are complete at this writing, but the early shoppers are taking advantage of the season and are picking their choices while the selection is complete. Healdsburg people are at the hub of a shopping center. People are reported on our streets shopping from points away from this locality in all directions.
75 years ago
December 9, 1949
‘HEALDSBURG HIGH TO HOST CAGERS IN WEEKEND BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT’
The First Annual North Bay League, Section 11, basketball tournament gets underway at the Healdsburg High School Gymnasium this afternoon, Friday, December 9, and will continue until Monday evening. The curtain raiser, matching Sonoma and Cloverdale in the first round, is scheduled to start promptly at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon. Continuing first round play in the evening, the Greyhounds of Healdsburg High School will meet the Ukiah cagers in a game that is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The climax to the three-day event will come on Monday night when the two finalists meet for the championship. This game will be broadcast by KSRO of Santa Rosa for all Redwood Empire and Bay Area sports enthusiasts. Following the final game, ceremonies will take place in the center of the local basketball court, including the crowning of the tournament champs and the awarding of all other tournament trophies and prizes. Souvenir programs will be sold at the game.
Healdsburg High School students and faculty have done their very best to make this first annual basketball tournament a complete success. Everything is in readiness for the sound of the opening whistle, so let’s come out and enjoy witnessing some exciting basketball in Healdsburg’s first annual tournament.
50 years ago
December 12, 1974
‘HAZEL HOTCHKISS WIGHTMAN DIES AT 87’
Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman, one of America’s greatest athletes of the 20th Century, died last Thursday in Massachusetts just 16 days short of her 88th birthday. A native of Healdsburg, Mrs. Wightman grew up on the old Hotchkiss ranch and first developed her love of sports here when her three older brothers included her in their games. When she was 14 her family moved to Berkeley. She had many relatives and friends in Healdsburg and kept in frequent touch over the years.
The young Miss Hotchkiss began one of the most successful athletic careers the nation has ever seen. Always an amateur, she began her tennis career after seeing a match in 1902. She immediately wanted to play the game. In 1909 she shocked spectators at the Philadelphia Cricket Club by appearing in a short sleeved dress, but she won the National Women’s Championship, 6-0, 8-1. She also was on the national doubles and mixed doubles championship teams and repeated the triple feat in 1910 and 1911. No one has since. A plaque in the Healdsburg Plaza commemorates the feat.
The measure of her accomplishments can be seen when it is remembered that Billie Jean King has garnered 24 U.S. titles so far. Mrs Wightman won 45. She won Olympic medals (before the games were dropped) and kept competing, always as an amateur, into her 70s.
The Flashbackers are docents for the Healdsburg Museum, which is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4pm, at 221 Matheson St.
