The Novato Historian The Quarterly Publication of the Novato Historical Guild, the Novato History Museum, and the Hamilton Field History Museum

Preserving Novato’s History News Section Contents ©2020 Novato Historical Guild, Inc.

January – March 2020 The Novato Historian Volume 43, Number 4

New Exhibit at Downtown Museum - The Novato Fire Department

The new exhibit salutes our Fire when it was replaced by a 1938 Fighters past and present. The Dodge Power Wagon. Novato Volunteer Fire Department was established in June of 1894. Since its formation the Novato Fire The Novato Fire District was formed Protection District has become a in 1926 following a request by the respected and trusted organization, residents living in a 71 square mile not just within the fire service, but area around the community of among most organizations - public or Novato. The first fire station was built private. at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Redwood Boulevard, which at the You will not want to miss the many time was Highway 101. pictures so professionally displayed that tell the story from its beginnings to The first fire engine was a 1923 the present day. Model T Ford. It was outfitted with a chemical tank, which was replaced The new exhibit officially opened on one year later with a 160 gallon February 1, 2020 at the Novato History water tank and a small pump. The Museum, 815 Delong Ave. There were Visitors to the Novato History Museum viewing the new conversion was done by Steven special attractions from 10:00 a.m. to Fire Department exhibit.. Porcella the local blacksmith. The noon along with two vehicles from the Model T was in service until 1939 fire department and special guests.

December’s General Meeting guest speaker was Linda Hepworth. She talked about her years at Le Chalet Grand opening of the Novato Fire Department exhibit on February 1, 2020.. Basque Restaurant in San Rafael N – 2 The Novato Historian January – March 2020

The Novato Historian President’s Corner Published March, June, September and December by the Novato Historical Guild, Jim Crumpler a 501(c)3 non – profit corpora- tion formed on November 18, 1976. President, Novato Historical Guild Contents © 2019 Novato Historical Guild, Inc. Guild Mission Statement What’s New at the Guild To collect, preserve, and make reasonably available to the public, exhibits and infor- mation related to the history of the Novato area.. Happy New Year! even though it’s Some additional shuffling of the Board Novato Historical Guild 2020 Officers almost March. Hope everyone enjoyed includes Kathryn Hansen moving from President Kathryn Hansen Treasurer to President (thank you, Vice President Jim Crumpler our December Members’ Meeting and Secretary Sharon Azevedo our very entertaining speaker, Linda Kathryn!) and Mike Read takes over as Treasurer Mike Read Hepworth. Linda reminisced about her Treasurer. Board of Directors many years of waiting tables at “Hill- Gary Bramon Ann Russell top 1892”and “Le Chalet Basque.” Linda In January five of our members, Sharon Mike Corlett Barry Smail should have been a standup comic Azevedo, Michael Corlett, Kathryn Ray Dwelly Lane Yee Hansen, Susan Magnone and Barry Kate Johnston instead of a waiter! Smail, were judges of student history History Museum Managers The speaker for the March Member’s projects at San Jose . Hamilton Field Ray Dwelly The event is part of the National Day Novato Susan Magnone Meeting is Brian Crawford. Brian is a Marin historian who has written several celebration in which seventh grade Honorary Historian very informative books on Marin history. students do an exhibit, website or Bill Almeida Brian will be discussing his book The paper about a theme. This year the Committee Chairs Bolinas Fairfax Road. This is an interest- theme was “Overcoming Barriers.” Our Adult Tours Kate Johnston ing story about the construction of a very five members said that they were very Jim Crumpler Finance Mike Read difficult road and the history of Marin impressed with the student projects Fund Raising All Board Members County before the turn of the century. and the enthusiasm of these young Gift Stores Pat Johnstone historians. Hospitality Sharon Azevedo Judi Brady The New Year brings some changes to Historian/Mailing Jim McNern our Guild Board. First the departures. I would really like to thank the Board for Membership Lane Yee Edna Manzoni has been a board mem- all the assistance that they have given Publicity Sharon Azevedo Public Outreach Jim Crumpler ber for many, many years with duties me for my term as President. I couldn’t School Tours Laurie O’Mara such as Membership Chair and Exhibit have done it with out you. Sunshine Diane Campbell Chair to mention just a few. Edna has Newsletter Editorial Board “history” in her blood, I’m not sure how Yvette Borloz Barbara Gildea we will be able to get along without her. Jackson Jim McNern Thank you, Edna, for all you have done. Mike Corlett Mike Read Jim Crumpler Pat Johnstone is also leaving the Board. Pat has been in charge of Sales at the Typography, Layout, Composition two museums and, lucky for us, has Carol Aregger agreed to retain that responsibility even Deadline for the June 2020 issue is May 1st though she is not on the Board. Thank City of Novato Staff you, Pat! Recreation Operations Manager Elizabeth Tran We have three additions to our Board. Address Changes Gary Bramon is recently retired, a hard The Novato Historian is mailed by bulk mail and will not be forwarded by the core history buff and a longtime docent Postal Service. Please notify us promptly at the Hamilton Museum. Barry Smail of your address change at Novato His- was born on Hamilton AFB, grew up in torical Guild, P.O. Box 1296, Novato, CA 94948. Novato and is also a docent at Hamil- ton. The third addition, Mike Corlett, is a contributor to the Historian and also a Jim Crumpler, outgoing President, was Hamilton docent. recognized for his leadership and dedication to the Guild. January – March 2020 The Novato Historian N – 3 Novato – 50 Years Ago (January, February, March 1970) by Yvette Borloz Jackson

Dear Readers, ident of the North Marin PTA unit at children will live in.” She is concerned San Jose Junior High, organizer of the about the need for low-cost housing in Not only is it a new year, but a new decade. Novato drug abuse committee, advisor Marin. “We need an alternative to mobile I went on my “memories treasure hunt” read- for almost four years to the Ignacio (for- homes. Perhaps modular or prefabri- ing the Novato Advance newspapers from merly Loma Verde) Teen Association. cated homes – something that can take 1970. Do you remember the “art and enter- An outstanding president of the North a 30-year mortgage and make the tran- tainment” pink section of the Advance, it was Marin PTA council, she got the coun- sition between low and moderate-cost sideways towards the middle of the weekly cil involved in new activities, such as housing. We need ingenuity on the parts issue. It was the 10th anniversary of Novato arranging cultural programs for the of the developers.” becoming a City in January of 1970, and the schools. One idea that worked out last Novato Advance celebrated with a 17-page • THE SPRAY POOL adjoining the now- year is now approaching realization. It’s section of history; current events and the completed small boat lagoon at Pioneer the establishment of a collection of arti- movers and shakers of the time. Sadly, I can Memorial Park should be ready to spray facts and art objects that represent dif- only give you bits and pieces of what I found, by the end of this month, the parks and ferent cultures throughout the world. As but I hope it is enough to help spark some recreation commission was told Monday the head of San Jose PTA, Emily is also memories for you.A reminder, many of the night. Once the spray pool has been trying something new. Recently the PTA pieces are extracted from larger articles, but erected, phase one development of unit presented a panel discussion on the the language and information have not been Pioneer Memorial Park will be marked environmental crisis in Marin. It brought changed. as done, signaling successful completion together speakers such as the execu- of an estimated $180,000 worth of work Happy Reading, tive director of the Bay Conservation and in the first phase. Development Commission to discuss the Yvette Borloz Jackson ways in which our environment is threat- • NEW CROCKER-CITIZENS BANK ●● Richard David Anton won a raft of prizes ened. Another encouraging sign she slated to open Monday in its new red from Novato merchants by timing his sees is that “Novatoans are beginning brick-white columns structure on the arrival well. He was Novato’s first baby to identify more closely with the city and northeast corner of Sixth Street and of the year. Born at 9:42 a.m. January 1 show greater participation and interest Grant Avenue. at Hamilton Air Force Base Hospital, he in the future development of the creek, • Situated between Denny’s Restaurant was also the first Marin County baby and beautification and downtown study.” Also and Santa Rosa Savings and Loan in the first baby of the year to be born in residents of unincorporated areas have Novato Square, MCDONALDS DRIVE-IN any of the Aerospace Defense hospitals worked closely with the city on major hamburger emporium will hold its grand in the nation. His proud parents are Sgt. issues, including the fight against mobile opening Saturday. The local link in the and Mrs. David E. Anton of Hamilton Air homes, she notes. national 1150-unit chain is among the Force Base. MRS. DONALD WILHELM, Heads new McDonalds to feature a used brick • In what is hoped to be an annual feature, Civic Projects, chairman of the Novato exterior with mansard tile roof, replac- the Advance has picked Novato’s out- citizens’ beautification advisory com- ing the huge “golden arches” which were standing women for 1969. This year mittee, energetic head of two commu- rebuffed by the City. The Novato McDon- there are three. Who they are, what they nity clean-up campaigns, key figure in alds franchise is in the operating hands did, and what they represent is reported the fight to save Novato Creek from the of Gary Flynn and Dan Nicholson and on page B-2. (page B-2) fate that befell Tamalpais Creek, mem- will employ about 40 people. Ronald MRS. CLIFFORD MOODY, working ber citizen’s committees that supported McDonald, the chain’s TV clown, will be for low cost housing, sociology major, the city bond issue. Gail Wilhelm is often on hand Saturday at 2 p.m. and will dis- mother of three, League of Women Vot- called upon when a good organizer is pense grand opening souvenir gifts to ers, worker, social studies teacher, needed to head a civic project. Gail has children.(01/07/70/ issue) influential supporter of conservation become interested in city planning and is taking a University of California Exten- • THE GOSSIP RESTAURANT is slated causes, and a leader of the movement to add French and international cook- to improve the housing situation in Marin sion course in city and regional plan- ning. “I think our future lies in planning, ing flavor to the Novato eating-out scene for low and middle-income families. at 1213 Grant Avenue in the near future. She has found it hard to change atti- and I’m concerned about the develop- ment of Novato,” Gail says. She wants Wine and beer also will be served by co- tudes, especially in areas like race rela- proprietors Cesar A. Marticorena and tions and low–income housing. Betty to see Novato save its creeks and nat- ural resources, She thinks more parks Apostolos Stoyanoglou. (South side of says it’s easier to work on conservation Grant between 2nd & 3rd) than housing because “people shy away are a major need, and she feels one of when it comes to doing anything for the the most critical issues is how the High- • The official opening of the NOVATO poor.” They say, “I didn’t get help from way 101frontage in Novato will develop CHILDREN’S CENTER and preschool the government why should the poor get when the freeway bypass is complete. facilities will be observed at a brief help?” She is concerned about air and water MRS. ARNOLD BAPTISTE, past pres- pollution. “I think in terms of the year 2000 and what kind of environment my Continued on Page N – 4 N – 4 January – March 2020

highest month on the Novato fire station spend that kind of money if it must, but 50 Years Ago is February 1958, when 14.15 inches it isn’t anxious to unnecessarily. Murals Continued from Page N – 3 of the wet stuff hit the streets here. But are in the throes of completion, with the as of 10:30 a.m. today, January rainfall deft brushwork by Tony Sanders, Phil totaled 11.32 inches, well above last Hindmarch, Heidi Walberg and Mary ceremony at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the January’s full month total of 9.95 inches Hunter. Ken Selberg and others are facility at 185 Washington Street in and above last February’s full month doing the general shape-up hoping for Novato. A new sign for the center total of 10.30 inches. early opening. will be placed by Dr. Virgil S. Hollis, county superintendent of schools, • The CAMPAIGN committee of super- • Local winners in the BETTY CROCKER and Supervisor William A. Gnoss. The visor-hopeful Arnold Baptiste at a Search for the American Homemaker Novato Children’s Center provides recent meeting had a representative of Tomorrow were announced this day care for up to 30 children from of the firm that handled the expensive week. Jan Moroski is the winner at low-income families residing in the but immensely successful campaign Novato High School. She is the 17-year- Novato area through the Children’s of Diane Feinstein to the San Fran- old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Center Program. The low cost day cisco Board of Supervisors. Price tag Moroski of Terry Circle. Laurean Pisano care is available to families of low for a similar campaign for Baptiste, the is the San Marin High School winner. income and families who are receiving committee was told, would be around The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur public assistance and entering training $25,000. Everybody promptly vomited Pisano, Devonshire Drive, she is 17. on hearing the news and decided they programs for employment The senior • BESTLINE DISTRIBUTORS Two local would depend on local talent instead… teacher at the Children’s Center, Mrs. couples have become Novato distribu- Janie Franklin, or the head teacher for • LEE BROS. CLOSES Goodbye Lee tors for Bestline Products Inc., manufac- preschool, Mrs. Jerry Coleman, should Bros. Supermarket .The 17-store chain turer of bio-degradable products. They be contacted at the center at 897-5770 went out of business officially Satur- are Mr. and Mrs. Martin Beebe, Olive for additional information. day and the Grant Avenue and Seventh Avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Green, • COMMENTARY by George Barnwell Street store was one of eight unsold as Buchanan Street. doors closed. (Publisher Novato Advance): Every- • NOVATO TEACHERS walked out on body’s climbing on the environmen- • THE BANK OF AMERICA, presently at the lottery held yesterday to deter- tal bandwagon. The favorite word today 1200 Grant Avenue (Corner of Grant mine which teachers will be the first to is “ecology.” Reagan’s now swimming and 2nd St. presently The Village Res- be dropped in a proposed reduction in with the tide. He’s the one who report- taurant), is planning to open the “biggest staff for next year. Although the lottery edly sneered, “Seen one redwood seen bank in town” this fall on the northwest affected only 74 first year teachers, ten- them all.” President Nixon has joined corner of Sixth Street and Grant Avenue. ured teachers showed up in force to pro- the ranks, probably to divert the public’s test the proposed cutback. They stayed attention from other impenetrable prob- • THE NOVATO ADVANCE was cho- sen as the top newspaper weekly in the to listen to the presidents of the two lems. --- What is encouraging (and dis- teacher organizations, who contended couraging too) is that citizens groups state during 1969 in the middle-circula- tion bracket by judges of the California the school district should have made seem to be pioneering in exploring new cuts elsewhere before reducing the num- ways to protect our environmental heri- Newspaper Publisher’s Association. The coveted first-place General Excellence ber of teachers. Then most of the teach- tage. It has been consistent public pres- ers walked out. sure which led the council over the Award was presented to publisher and years to seek undergrounding of over- editor George A. Barnwell at the annual • CAMPUS UNREST erupted on the ele- head wires, to reduce the cutting of hills, state convention of the association last mentary school level last week when to prevent indiscriminate chopping of Saturday morning in Los Angeles. some 70 members of the peanut-but- ter-and-jelly set boycotted the cafete- trees, to somehow at this late date save • AL TRESCH of Shields Lane is the only Novato Creek from being converted into North Marin resident in 30 persons nomi- ria at Lynwood School. The lunch count a concrete sewer conduit.---Oil compa- nated to serve on the 1970 county grand dropped from the normal 160 to 90 as nies and automobile manufacturers bear jury. fourth, fifth and sixth graders united to a guilt for defiling America which prob- protest the food. They wanted a cafe- • A coffee house approach to the NOVATO ably can never be erased. Whole pro- teria-style lunchroom that would offer YOUTH COUNCIL Teen Center at 875 fessions, such as engineers, have in the a choice of hot dogs, hamburgers and Grant Avenue (presently the Pinnacles name of technology, produced monstros- other foods. Leftovers, now offered at full Dive Shop) may solve the impasse that ities, which will take generations to dis- price the second day, should be served blocked opening the facility. As a coffee mantle. Somehow we must shove these as second helpings, some of the youth- house, with F-2 use a “drinking and din- institutional, corporate and governmen- ful protesters said. Many criticized the ing” facility; the Teen Center can remain tal blocks aside and set up new systems hamburgers, which have a high cereal within building code limits. But the use and create new attitudes so that the mis- content. permit will be subject to revocation if the takes of the past will not be repeated. It coffee house is used as a place of “pub- • GREEN BERET CAPT. JAMES certainly won’t hurt for the Reagans and lic assembly.” That means no big dances MICHAEL GRIBBIN, 21, a member of the Nixons to be on our side. or similarly large assemblies. The occu- the Novato High School class of 1966, • LEAKY SKIES poured three inches of pancy limit is 50. Once that number is was fatally wounded while engaged in rain on Novato from yesterday (01/20) exceeded, the Teen Center would take a firefight somewhere in Vietnam. His afternoon to 10:30 a.m. today, setting on the tinge of public assembly for enter- mother Mrs. Louis Ondrasek, Simmons a spill-over record at Stafford Lake tainment and recreation, which would Lane, received word of her son’s death and threatening to make January the mean that the ceiling would have to be Friday and his remains arrived here all time rainfall record-breaker. The earthquake proofed. The Marin Eco- Monday. She was informed that Capt. nomic Opportunity Council says it will Gribbin was mortally wounded while Continued on Page N – 5 January – March 2020 The Novato Historian N – 5 50 Years Ago New Guild Board Members Continued from Page N – 4

defending an embattled position….He won three Bronze Stars for heroism. • PASTORS of three local churches go over plans for the community sunrise Easter service to be held at 6 a.m. Sun- day on Mt. Burdell. They are The Rev. Leo Hamilton of the United Method- ist Church, the Rev. Donald Rayment of the Novato Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Arthur Sorenson of All Saints Lutheran Church. All three will partici- pate in the service, with Rev. Rayment preaching a sermon entitled “Strange Choice.” All Novatans are invited to the service. The site can be approached via San Marin Drive. Turn North on San Car- los Way, and the Boy Scouts will be on hand to direct cars. (Easter was March 29) New Board Members (from left to right) Gary Bramon, Barry Smail and Mike Corlett MARRIAGES; Gwen Maureen Smith – Leonard Allen Semas Mike Corlett Gary quickly obtained the Chartered Life Nancy Jane Pinkham – 1 st Lt. Trent Eyler Underwriter and Chartered Financial JoAnn Zay Coursey – Lt. Joseph H. Abeggien Consultant degrees from the American Barbara Jean Henson – Gary L Powell I am a native of Illinois and moved to College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Active California in 1962. After graduating from in the National Association of Insurance Linda Diane Scribner – William L. Harrigan, Jr. Cal State Hayward, I spent 15 years with and Financial Advisors, he has served as Louise Diana Skowronek – William Koenig United Air Lines as a Maintenance Training president at both the county and state level. Margaret Ann Granucci – Raymond M. Hill, Jr. Developer and Instructor, specializing in A member of the Novato Rotary Club, Gary Carolyn Elizabeth Cook – Marinus Howell aircraft Avionics and Electrical systems. The served as its president in 1999/2000. Oostdam balance of my working career was in the Fire \ Cynthia Sherrill Fredette – Warren Paul Boyd Detection and Suppression industry. Gary enjoys reading, particularly Civil War Monique Hoffman – Kris Kristofers History, watching the San Francisco Giants I have lived in Novato for forty-three years. and the sports teams. Diane Price – Gary Lommasson I coached Novato Girls Softball teams for He and his wife, Toni, enjoy traveling and Susan Elizabeth Tandy – Michael J. Telegin a number of years and worked in various spending time with their two children and four Marsha Ann Fahnestock – Dean Raymond volunteer endeavors. I have always enjoyed grandchildren. Edwards history. I have been a docent at the Hamilton Eleanor Jean Garrison – William Edward Field History Museum for nearly five years, Stanley and contribute articles to the Novato Elizabeth Alice Henderson – Robert Scott Historian. As a new member on the board, Barry L. Smail Griffith I am looking forward to being involved in the processes necessary to keep our two Phyllis Henegar – Thomas R. Stocks I was born on Hamilton Air Force Base museums moving forward. Randi Louise Crane – A1C Bruce Eugene . in 1952, and for the past several years Jarvis have served as a docent at the Hamilton Virginia Tighe – Steven Edward Hoover Gary Bramon Field History Museum. I’ve lived in Marin Marsha Diane Krehbiel – Frederick O. Arnold continuously since 1966 (mostly in Novato). I was in the first graduating class of Norma Gonzalez – Bob Lubinoff Gary Bramon has been a resident and San Marin High School (1970). Three years Pamela Kay Henrich – William A. Johnson business owner in Novato since January 1970, Born in Salem Oregon, he grew up in later, while attending Sonoma State, I worked Keeta Catherine Kirwin – Robert Wayne Cline Del Norte County and graduated from Del as a summer replacement reporter for the Barbara Herrington – Capt. Thomas J. Moholt Norte County High School in Crescent City in Novato Advance and was the first to break Marcia Ellen Bunney – A1C David M. Lapic 1960 and from Sacramento State University the story that the Pentagon had plans to Sarah Tandy – Don Melson in 1964. decommission Hamilton. Kathy Steele – Petty Officer 3c John Hertz Maureen Anne Classick – Thomas Horn He started in the business of financial My career background is primarily in public relations and conference planning. Since Sally Louise Hetrick – Thomas J. O’Neill planning after graduation and in 1970 he was transferred to Marin County. He has had a childhood, I have been an avid reader and reputation over the years of having the ability history has been my favorite subject. It is to explain useful and innovative financial an honor to have been asked to serve as concepts to individuals and businesses a board member of the Novato Historical alike. He is particularly proud of his concept Guild, and I look forward to making a solid that a financial planner can be of extreme contribution in support of the Guild’s mission assistance to the young person, the near to and its two museums. retire and the senior in retirement as well.

N – 6 The Novato Historian January – March 2020

Novato Memories Jim McNern

Bob Sparrow Bob Sparrow is the son of the late Jack and Barbara Sparrow. His parents were former owners and publishers of the Novato Advance. Bob attended Novato Grammar School, Hill and Marion Schools and is a 1961 graduate of Novato High School. After graduating from college he taught and coached at Tustin High School for ten years and then went into the mortgage banking field for over thirty years. Bob now lives in Orange County, California. He shares his Novato memories in this March edition of the Novato Historian.

thought, well if he can’t play, maybe I can, I also remember Bruno Schultz patrolling as I saw people standing around seeing if I Grant Avenue and brandishing his cane at could pick up where my brother had left off. anything or anyone that got in his way. Just I have often said that growing up in Novato I paid a dollar and didn’t even come close . . off Grant Avenue in that part of town was in the 50s & 60s was the absolute best of . the crowd quickly dispersed. the Presbyterian church which our family times and place. Small enough to know Growing up, Jack and I liked to go to the attended, which is now City Hall. virtually everyone in town, but close enough movies, usually the Saturday matinee, During our early years in Novato, Dad (the to San Francisco to get our big city fix. where Novato Theater owner, Don original Jack Sparrow) played 2nd base My parents, Jack & Barbara Sparrow Donahue would patrol the aisles and tell on the town’s hardball team in a league moved to Novato in 1940 and were very us to get our feet off the seat in front of us. that took them, and all the family fans, to active in community affairs; Dad owned After the movies, which always included games in places like Nicasio, Point Reyes the newspaper, the Novato Advance, a double feature, with a cartoon and a and Kelseyville. The home games were Mom worked there until she became the newsreel in between, we’d go to the Parrot played at the Marion Street School baseball secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, Cage, a soda shop a couple of doors down diamond. After the home games the team W. J. J. Smith. Mom was also active in from the theater on Grant Avenue before we would assemble to have a few highballs at Eastern Star, Sunny Hills Guild, Business walked home. No Uber in those days! the Village Inn, just up highway 101, which and Professional Women as well as the On the rare occasion that the family was owned by Lidia Quarg, who always community theater group where we went to went out to dinner, we’d typically go to provided cokes and peanuts for us kids. her plays in the old Community House. DeBorba’s, where you could get the best Dad was on the school board, a member of Chinese food in town, OK maybe the only the volunteer fire department and coached Chinese food in town, and Dad could get a Novato’s first Little League team, where martini. DeBorba’s was down at the east brother Jack and I played. There were two end of Grant Avenue along with Druid’s teams in Novato (Giants and Yankees) and Hall, where they held meetings and had two teams from Hamilton Field (Dodgers dances. and Indians). Across the street was the Central Valley Jack was a really good and one year Bank, where George Morrison, president at the Novato Fire Department’s annual and an ex-Stanford grad, would always give picnic out at the Silvera Ranch there was our family four tickets to the ‘Big Game’ a ‘salami throw’ – where salamis were every year, which is probably where Jack hanging from strings about 30 feet away and I fell in love with football. After Dad sold and for a dollar you got three throws at the newspaper, he opened his own print them with a small potato – if you hit a shop on Grant Avenue, just behind where salami, you got to keep it. For brother Jack the old Novato Advance building was. We this was like shooting fish in a barrel, so became quite familiar with that part of town, once people saw how good he was a hitting as there was Dave’s Barber Shop, Dr. the salami, they were giving him money to Cranz dentistry, Rayburn’s grocery store, hit a salami for them. Jim’s Sport Shop and I even remember an old blacksmith shop at that end of the street This didn’t last very long as after hitting by the railroad tracks. Bob working at his dad’s print shop. salami after salami, he was banned from playing the game! I was standing by and Continued on Page N – 7 January – March 2020 The Novato Historian N – 7 Novato Memories

Continued from Page N – 6

I went to Grant Elementary School (no longer on the hill at the corner of 101 and Grant Ave) from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, where my best friend was Steve Taylor, although we did fight over the affections of Kindergarten hottie, Ellen Tingley. According to class pictures that I found, friends that were in that kindergarten class, taught by Mrs. Walters, and also in my high school graduating class of 1961, were Janet Dennis, Bob Ornellas, Robert Remley, Rick Smaw, Kitty Stewart and Susan Wilcox. I then went to Marion School for 4th grade (Mrs. Owens, who taught us to square The Sparrow family - daughter Dana, wife Linda, son Jeff, Bob, and daughter Stephanie dance) and 5th grade (Mr. Slepnikoff, my getting ready for a Margaritaville party at their house favorite teacher of all time), then to Miss Cullen’s class where we were the first and sing on his radio show, which we did I moved to Southern California, but it has class to graduate from the then-new Hill – I still have the recording. It reminds me become home as Linda’s and my three Street school. Back to Marion for 7th (Mr. how good Don was and how I had a face for children and their spouses are here, along Laycock) and 8th (Mr. Gregg – another radio. Don and I sang at our 50-year high with our three amazing grandchildren and favorite teacher). school class reunion in 2011 at Jim and another one on the way. Charlotte Temple’s house; and even though Our class then became the 3rd class to Strangest question I was ever asked about he passed away in February of the following enter the still relatively new Novato High growing up in Novato was, “What happened year, he still influences my life today. School. Because my brother was in the first to ‘Moe’ Sparrow, weren’t there three graduating class of Novato, I got to know Summers growing up were either at Sparrow brothers, Jack, Bob and Moe?” many of his classmates as well, like Chuck Boy Scout camp in the Sierras or family Actually Moe should have been my sister, Coleman, Pete Ferrarese, George Gnoss, vacations to two places; from about 1947 Suzanne’s nick name, as I got the moniker Gary Edwards, Judy Koehler, Yvonne to 1951 it was Yosemite, when they still from our Dad, who said when I was born, Borloz and many others. had the ‘Fire Fall’ over Glacier Point – “There’ll be no mo babies,” but there was – Some of my friends in high school from my spectacular! From 1952 on, it was the Suzanne, (Warning: Commercial coming!) class included, Bill Hall, who had a car as a north shore of Lake Tahoe and although it’s with whom I’ve written a blog about travel sophomore (I think he was about 19 then), gotten significantly busier, we still get up and life’s observations for the last eight so was always being asked to double date, there regularly to visit our parent’s ashes years. It publishes every Monday morning so a parent wouldn’t have to be our driver; where they requested them to be spread. on Facebook or can be found at www. Ron Witzel, where we learned to be pirates After two seasons at College of Marin, fromabirdseyeview.com where you can and sail San Francisco Bay on his father’s I received a football scholarship to the subscribe – it’s free! We stole the name yacht; I learned to drink rum later. Ron University of Utah and ultimately ended up from our Mom’s old Novato Advance weekly Grayson, with whom I played football (on transferring to Westminster College in Salt newspaper column – we really didn’t steal it some fairly successful teams both at Novato Lake where I played for George Siefert, – we got her approval. and College of Marin) and (on who went on to win two Super Bowls as the Again, I cannot imagine growing up in a some not-so-successful teams). head coach of the 49ers. He always said better place, at a better time, with better Other friends included Liz Chisholm, who as the coach of Joe Montana and Steve people and with such an awesome family. became my first girl friend, who was not a Young, that I was his ‘first quarterback’, Soooo lucky! girlfriend), Bob Porteous, Paul Ferrarese, but when he says it, it sounds like ‘worst Lu Haas, Fred McElroy, Bink McBride, quarterback’. Bill Tuel and of course, my best friend After serving as an officer and a gentleman Don Klapperich, with whom I sang and (only by an act of Congress) in the Navy, played guitar and stayed close to for 50 I taught English and coached football years. Don was a very good musician and basketball at Tustin High School in and had a great voice, I was just a pretty Orange County. After 10 years of teaching face! OK, maybe not that pretty. We did and coaching I embarked on a mortgage end up playing at a Western Weekend in banking career that lasted for the next 30+ 1964 where were we played and sang folk years and today I still stay active selling music (which was dying), then donned wigs Reverse Mortgages – and am ready to step and sang a Beatles song (which was not). in if Tom Selleck needs help. Classmate, Ron Turner’s dad, Hugh Turner, Several of my high school cronies have Recent photo of Bob with siblings Suzanne who worked at the local radio station KTIM, told me I had gone to the ‘dark side’ when and Jack, at Bob and Linda’s 40th wedding heard us and asked us to do an interview anniversary N – 8 The Novato Historian January – March 2020

NOVATO’S TREASURES The Patterson Building MIKE READ

Grant and Machin Avenue Location July 1927, having been offered a good position in San Rafael, H.J. Patterson closed out his grocery Frank Silva, then living in San Rafael, bought lots business in Novato and moved to San Rafael. 1 and 2 in Block I, on September 1889. Sometime after this A.D. Scott would buy the lots from him. January 1928, in the Novato Advance — this ad appeared – “In order to better serve our patrons, In August 1922, Scott sold the lots to O.W. Hall, we have moved to new and larger quarters in the the local station agent. Hall built a large egg station Patterson Building. It is our endeavor to establish on the back lots of 1 and 2 in September 1922. a clean, sanitary market in Novato. We have put The egg station was erected by Mr. Phillips and in a new ice box equipped with the Fridigadare Alexander of corrugated iron and finished by E.J. system. We cordially invite you to inspect our new Frisbie. home at your earliest convenience. Yours truly Ambrogio & Son.” 1945 map shows 4 stores March 26, 1926, Mr. Patterson of San Rafael, purchased for business purposes, the two lots May 1930, Obituary of “Harry J. Patterson, a from O.W. Hall, which adjoined the egg station at business man of San Rafael, died at his home. the corner of Grant Avenue and Machin Street and Mr. Patterson was well known in Novato, having erected a $6,000 business building. erected the building on the corner of Grant and Machin Avenues and conducted a grocery store Harry Jackson Patterson (no relationship to therein before going to San Rafael. He had been the Patterson Ranch on 7th street) was born in failing health for some time, and his passing is September 1868 in Maine. He moved to Madera regretted by many friends. He leaves a widow, California in 1890’s as a clerk. In 1920, he son and daughter. He was brother of Mrs. L. M. continued working as a clerk in San Francisco in a Sansom, also a former resident of Novato.” hardware store. In the early 1920’s he and his wife Ida moved to San Rafael. Sometime after this Mrs. Ida Patterson sold the property to Mrs. Henry Pini. In May of 1926, O.W. Hall enlarged his egg station and Mr. Patterson plastered his building with its Mrs. Pini would sell the Patterson Building to Alfred five store rooms to prepare it for its opening as the W. Bowman of Berkeley on December 19, 1944. “Cash and Carry” grocery store. He had plans of erecting Novato’s first theater on the corner property. June 1926, Mr. Patterson moved into the Dettmer Ranch on Indian Valley Road. January 1945, Bowman also bought the H. Pini & Co. Building – Fire would destroy the Pini building July 1926, Peter’s Barber Shop opened in the on April 1945 and Bowman would build the theater Patterson Building along with the grand opening on that location. of his grocery store. At this time H. Pini & Co. had started offering lower prices for groceries if you paid July 1945, the Patterson Building was remodeled in cash. By November, Mr. Patterson wanted to get with Harry Hale moving in to open a butcher shop out of the grocery business. He ran this ad in the and grocery store. Petaluma Argus: “Stores for rent in new building in Novato. LOW RENTAL, FINE LOCATION FOR Later a laundromat moved in, then Eastside Auto BRANCH STORE FOR Petaluma concern. Sale of Parts. Now it is an antiques and collectables store. going grocery business would be considered. H.J. Patterson, Novato.” January – March 2020 The Novato Historian N – 9 Soldiers to Seniors By Michael Corlett

The long-shuttered Hamilton Field Base Hospital is currently being reincarnated into its next life. In mid-October 2020, it is scheduled to reopen its doors as an Assisted Living Facility with Memory Care. In the early 1930s, while Captain Howard Nurse and his staff were Rendering of New Facility designing Hamilton Field, Leo Epp of Hamilton Air Force Base. As part of the San Francisco was awarded a contract Mediterranean Architecture of the disposal process, the Army surveyed original hospital. to build the 2-story, 15,300 square the base to determine if any of the 250 foot hospital. The base Hospital was structures or buildings would qualify Mohammad Javanbakht, a principal completed in November of 1934 for a for listing on the National Register of with Avesta said in an interview, “The price of $108,887. Historic Places. A few buildings and Hamilton hospital is an historic landmark As a docent at the Hamilton Field History structures on the base were selected, we intend to preserve and restore.” (2) Museum, I find that the base hospital including the base hospital. The survey of the hospital noted, “The building When the construction is completed, the is the building most inquired about by 65,000 square foot facility will have 48 visitors. Some who come through the is significant as an example of the application of an important architectural rooms for assisted living, and 32 rooms museum doors were born there or had a for memory care. parent or a relative born there during the trend, (Spanish Colonial Revival) hospital’s 70-year existence. adapted to reflect California’s mission heritage in a dramatic departure from Although the hospital is gone, Captain traditional military architecture.” (1) Howard Nurse’s architectural vision is During WWll, Hamilton was the being preserved. prominent gateway to the Pacific Captain Nurse’s “dramatic departure” Theater. Celebrities, on their way resulted in those in the military referring to Hamilton Field as “The Country Club.” References: to entertain troops in USO shows, (1) Historic American Buildings Survey, www. stopped at Hamilton before proceeding locgov/pictures/item/ca2694 to their destinations. Popular 1940s In November of 1998, three areas of comedians, Abbot and Costello, were Hamilton were listed in the National Register as the Hamilton Army Airfield Hamilton Army Air Field Discontiguous Historic among those who visited the hospital. District, https://caa.archives.gov/id123859682 President Truman visited the hospital in Discontinuous Historic District. June 1945 on his way to sign the United In September of 2014, the Novato City (2) Novato sells shuttered Hamilton hospital, Nations Charter in San Francisco. Council voted to sell the hospital for Marin Independent Journal, September 24, 2014 During WWII the hospital processed as $2 million to San Francisco’s Avesta Development Group. many as 3500 wounded soldiers per Redesign of former Hamilton Hospital, Marin month. To accommodate the influx of Although it is a 50,000 square foot Independent Journal, June 29,2017 that many injured, the hospital required expansion of the historic hospital, the more wards. To fill the need, temporary entire front façade will be rehabilitated wooden barracks were built near the and preserved. In addition, the hospital, and existing barracks 422 and expansion will complement the Spanish 424 were converted to serve as Hospital wards. During the Vietnam War, most returning wounded were treated at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland or sent to Letterman Hospital in San Francisco. The Hamilton hospital had become outdated. From that point on until it’s closure in 1995, the base hospital was used primarily by base residents, retirees, and dependents. Hamilton Air Force Base closed in 1975, but activity did not stop. Much of the property was parceled out to the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. In 1989, 14 years after the base closed, the Army was tasked to close and dispose of all the property that was once Hamilton Field Hospital 1944 N – 10 The Novato Historian January – March 2020 Novato Third Graders learn history with us Welcome New again! Guild Members by Laurie O’Mara Novato Historical Guild Spring will soon be upon us and the Please support our Guild Novato History Museum will once Membership Report again be alive with third grade stu- March 2020 Business Members: dents learning all about the history of Individual Membership our beloved city. Third grade teachers Robert Buckwalter A. D. Scott Building and students alike are excited to be a Delaine Hoffman Andrew McAghon Landscaping part of this wonderful program we pro- Carryll Mountjoy Bank of Marin vide for them and they look forward Lonnie Raab Goltermann Real Estate and to it every year. Tours for this year Construction have been scheduled from April thru Family Membership Indian Valley Golf Club June and we are looking forward to Elizabeth and David Ganz yet another successful Spring with our Marin Landscape Materials wonderful, inquisitive third graders. Marin Trophies Life Membership Marin Volvo/Saab They so enjoy learning about how life David Scheller in Novato was years ago with all the Sharon Scheller McIsaac Dairy fascinating exhibits inside the museum Nave Enterprises and especially the buggy room and Novato Builders Supply, Inc. are excited to learn about all the If you have questions about membership, Pacheco Ranch Winery amazing people who helped estab- call Pini Hardware lish our city during the downtown tour Lane Yee, Membership Chairman, The Wright Salon where the Carliles, Hamiltons, Caines 415 – 898 – 0444 and so many more Novato pioneers Trumbull Manor Inc. – Novato are brought to life for them. Valley Oak Wealth Management This program would not be possible Zenith Instant Printing without the commitment of our dedi- cated docents who give us their time every year. I would like to take this time to thank the wonderful volun- teers who gave us their time last year. They are Sharon Azavedo,Mary Bick- nell, Celinda Current, Laurie O’Mara, Stan Palmear, Anne Russell, Brittany Schuler, Christina Thomatos, Susan Trumbull and Lane Yee. I am so very grateful to these docents and how their dedication made last year’s Third Grade History Tour Season such a successful one! I am so looking forward to yet another successful season with this year’s third graders. We always welcome new docents and cannot keep this incredible program alive without them. Docenting is such a rewarding and fun experience and doesn’t take up much of your time. If you are at all inter- ested in becoming a docent please contact Laurie O’Mara at plomara@ earthlink.net or 415-246-8168.

December General Members Meeting at the Margaret Todd Center. January – March 2020 The Novato Historian N – 11

2019 Board Meetings MEMORIAL GIFTS Second Tuesday of the Month You may make a gift of appreciated In Memoriam Margaret Todd Senior Center securities (stocks, bonds, mutual 1560 Hill Road funds) to the Novato Historical Guild. Your gift is not only tax – deductible, Time:1:30 – 3:30 PM but if you have held the shares In Memoriam Jan. 14 July (no meeting) for more than one year, your tax Lorraine Marie Priolo Feb. 11 Aug. 11 deduction will equal the full value of March 10 Sept. 8 the securities on the date of the gift. April 14 Oct. 13 May 12 Nov. 10 June 9 Dec. 8 MEMORIAL PLAQUE GIFTS The Guild Extends Membership Meetings You may honor a friend or loved one Sympathy to March 14 10 – 12 City Hall by having his or her name engraved June 13 10 – 12 City Hall on an individual brass plate on the The Priolo family on the loss of Memorial Plaque in the History Lorraine Marie Sept.12 12 – 2 Hamilton Field Museum. Please call the Museum at Museum (415) 897- 4320. All contributions are Dec. 12 10 – 12 Margaret Todd tax deductible. Plaques cost $250 per Centerl person named.

Guild members are welcome to attend the Board meetings. Please check with the President, Jim Crumpler at (415) 897-5705, in case a meeting has Contact Us been changed. Hamilton Field History Museum Manager: Ray Dwelly Museum phone: 415-382-8614 Email: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/ HamiltonFieldHistoryMuseum/

Novato History Museum Manager: Susan Magnone CORRECTION: The caption at the bottom of page N-8 Museum phone: 415-897-4320 of last issue’s “Novato Treasures: The Oliver House” Email: [email protected] was incorrect. No caption was provided. https://www.facebook.com/ NovatoHistoryMuseum/  ‘Membership Form Please mail checks to Novato HistoricaI Guild. P.O. Box 1296. Novato. CA 94948. Yes, I want to join the Novato Historical Guild and help preserve Novato history!  new  renewal

 Student (full time) membership $10 year Name ______ Individual membership $20 year Address ______ Family membership $30 year City______ Patron membership $100 year State ______Zip______ Supporting membership $200 year Phone ______ Life membership, individual $350  Life membership, joint $500 Additional donations? ______ Benefactor $1000 year Interested in volunteering? ______ Business membership $50 year Email address:______ Corporate membership $1000 year NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Novato Historical Guild P.O. Box 1296 PAID Novato, CA 94948 NOVATO, CA PERMIT NO. 138

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 YOU ARE INVITED  General Membership Meeting ~ Novato Historical Guild Saturday, March 14, 10:00 A.M. to Noon Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue, Novato Brian Crawford will be discussing his book, The Fairfax Bolinas Road. Come enjoy refreshments, familiar company and a wonderful speaker.

Guild members and anyone interested in Novato history are welcome.

Novato History Museum 815 Delong Avenue (415) 897-4320 Hamilton Field History Museum 555 Hangar Avenue (415) 382-8614

COME VISIT AND BRING A FRIEND! The Museums are open three days a week -- Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday - Noon to 4 p.m. Closed Major Holidays