The following snippets of history are drawn from the pages of the Healdsburg Tribune, the Healdsburg Enterprise and the Sotoyome Scimitar, and are prepared by the volunteers at the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society. Admission is always free at the museum, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
100 years ago – Feb. 13, 1919
Rains weaken bridge approach
The heavy rains of the last week were the cause of the weakening of supports to the bridge in Alexander Valley crossing Sausal Creek, just below Jimstown. The creek developed into a small river, and the rushing water undermined the approaches. It has been strengthened temporarily, and is safe for light vehicles. The total amount of rainfall for the storm was 7.06 inches, making the total for the season 24.41 inches. Russian River overflowed its banks in places Sunday afternoon, and by Monday had flooded all the adjacent land in this vicinity low enough to be reached. The day saw a great exodus of brush rabbits, skunks, ground squirrels and other small pests, and men and boys had a great time killing rodents as they reached higher ground. The storm was generally all over the northern part of the state, and the ground received a drenching which augurs well for farming interests this coming year.
50 years ago – Feb. 13, 1969
Welcome signs a topic at chamber meeting
Several projects for 1969 were mentioned by president Jerry Hodges to directors of the Healdsburg chamber of commerce at its bi-monthly lunch meeting at Mid-Town Cafe last week, including the erection of welcome signs at entrances to town; installation of highway signs to indicate the availability of lodging, recreation and food in the city; landscaping of on and offramps from the freeway; and a contest for selection of a slogan to appear on the welcome signs. “We need to show that the town is alive,” Hodges said, “to draw people entering retirement and interested in recreation.”
25 years ago – Feb. 9, 1994
City ban against smoking approved
In a sometimes pitched battle between smokers’ rights and the health of non-smokers, the Healdsburg City Council sided with non-smokers Monday night, but just barely, with a vote of 3-2. The Tobacco Control Ordinance will ban smoking in almost all public buildings in the city. It also bans smoking within 10 feet of any door or window of a building where smoking is prohibited. It exempts bars where food is incidental, but includes restaurants that have bars. Councilmen voting against the new law argued that businesses should have the choice of whether or not to allow smoking in their workplaces.
