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 California 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 Middle School. 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.