Petaluma: gold mine of the chicken industry

January 4, 2006

By KATIE WATTS
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Yesteryears is an often amusing look back at local history, as viewed through the pages of the Argus-Courier.

150 years ago

A few days since having occasion to make the trip between Petaluma and San Francisco on a sail vessel, we took passage on our favorite craft, the Spray. We met the same kind treatment from her officers, Messrs. Buck & Allen, as heretofore. The Captain is a trump of a sailing master, and Tom is hard to beat in the culinary department. (Dec. 1, 1855)

125 years ago

The Courier office has been removed from Derby's building to the building of I.G. Wickersham & Co., the First National Gold Bank on Main Street. We have been trying all our lives to get into a position where we would be above banks and bankers and have finally succeeded. (Jan. 5, 1881)

I.L. Dias, dentist. Having purchased Dr. G.M. Phillips' good will and practice in his dental office, I respectfully solicit the patronage of the public, guaranteeing all work appertaining to Dentistry done in the most skillful and workmanlike manner. (Jan. 5, 1881)

100 years ago

Harry Stover, Petaluma's aviary king, furnished the biggest surprise of the Ascot season when his filly, Mabel Hollander, odds of 100 to 1, romped away from 10 other babies yesterday. As it was a holiday and on these days there are many that put a flyer on the longest shots on the board, the victory of the filly was extremely popular. The regulars were conspicuous by the absence of tickets on the filly from Stover's barn and none of the daily patrons got much of a new year's present. (Jan. 5, 1906)

75 years ago

The seed farm on the Cotati Land Company, established last year as an experiment by Waldo Rohnert, extensive seed farmer of Hollister, has proven such a big success that it has been more than doubled in acreage and Mr. Rohnert has taken up his option obtained from the company and leased a tract of 500 acres for a period of five years, plus 200 additional acres. One hundred acres will be planted for lettuce seed and 40 acres for onion seed, in addition to 350 acres of radish seed, said to be of unusually high grade. (Jan. 5. 1931)

Clay Olmsted, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Olmsted, was stricken with acute appendicitis Sunday and removed to the Petaluma General Hospital where he was operated upon by Dr. S.Z. Peoples, assisted by Dr. H.S. Rogers. One of the most popular of the younger boys, Past Master Councilor of Petaluma Chapter, De Molay, and everybody's friend, restoration soon to his usual good health is the wish of all who know Clay Olmsted. (Jan. 5, 1931)

50 years ago

The City Council voted favorably last night on preliminary plans for the Petaluma Veterans War Memorial, but the vote was not a unanimous one. The plans are designed to face the building toward the City Hall. Jess Dabner, chairman of the original Veterans War Memorial Committee, told the council that none of the local vets' organizations would move into the building as proposed, nor would the official emblems of the vets be affixed thereto. Councilman John King, who voted no, said, "I think this layout is perfect -- for the corner of Kenilworth Park." His contention was the plans were not designed "for the man with a car" and put most of the parking toward the sides and rear. (Jan. 4, 1956)

On Friday the 13th, six years ago, the Three Cooks restaurant held its grand opening. To prove he is not superstitious, owner Bill Sellert will hold his sixth anniversary celebration a week from this Friday -- another Friday the 13th. (Jan. 4, 1956)

25 years ago

For sale: One of Petaluma's finest homes, built in 1930, designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan. Delightfully landscaped yard and 3,680 square foot home encompassing a city block. Wide entry hall leads to spacious living room and formal dining room, each with fireplace, French doors open onto brick terrace; library with fireplace; sun room with marble floors. Three bedrooms and two baths, plus maid's quarters. Master bedroom suite with fireplace, dressing room and marble bath may be reached by the graceful stairway or private elevator. Additional space includes butler's pantry, kitchen, laundry room and storage area. $350,000. (Jan. 3, 1981)

A fifth generation Petaluman and sixth generation Californian was the first baby born in 1981 at Petaluma Valley Hospital. Little Gemma Marie Bianchi, daughter of Frank Bianchi and the former Kathryn Duncan of Cotati is the newest addition to the Peoples, Garzoli and Duncan families: pioneers who settled in Petaluma and Tomales in the 1800s. She is the granddaughter of Ralph and Ellynda Duncan and Aldo and Margaret Bianchi of Cotati; and the great-granddaughter of Maria Bianchi of Cotati, George Duncan Sr. of Petaluma, and Herald and Annabelle Peoples Miller. (Jan. 5, 1981)