This Week in Marin History

Librarian's legacy

In March 1935, Virginia Keating started her service as County Librarian for the Marin County Free Library. Her 33-year tenure began in the basement of the old Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael, the first home of the Free Library. It was anything but a desk job—she helped expand the Library into a system of regional and community branches and implemented a bookmobile service to bring books to more isolated areas. Keating also helped establish the California Room that housed her vast collection of books, newspaper clippings, ephemera and photographs relating to Marin County history. The California Room moved to the Civic Center Library in 1962.

This Month, 100 Years Past
as collected by Ann Batman

Presented below are short articles from newspapers in Marin, published one hundred years in the past. They present the goings-on of the county, the concerns of the readership and the peculiar prosody of their posthumous penmen. The newspapers from which these articles were collected are available by appointment, at the Marin History Museum's Library in the Collections & Research Facility in Novato.

THE MARIN JOURNAL, February 24, 1910

PLACING OF MISSION BELL IS POSTPONED

Owing the unsettled condition of the weather on Washington’s birthday, the exercises and the placing of the Mission Bell by the local parlor of Native Sons of the Golden West was put off until a date that will be announced in the future.  Many people braved the elements and came out anyway to see the bell placed and hear the speeches.  Superior Judge Thomas J. Lennon, chairman of the celebration, stated that if it was convenient for the speakers, the bell would be installed next Sunday afternoon.  The program will be as follows, with little change: 

Opening address by Judge Lennon.  Eliza D. Keith, Past Grand President of the Native Daughters will speak on “El Camino Real.”  Rev. Maximillian Newman, O.F.I., will pronounce the benediction.  Hon. L.F. Byington will deliver the oration.  He is Past Grand President of the Native Sons of the Golden West.  Company D, Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, Hitchcock Military Academy and the Fire Department are expected to be present in uniform and take part in the celebration.  It has also been suggested that instead of just marching from Native Son’s Hall to the grounds on Fifth street, that the line of march extend up Fourth Street for some distance and counter march to scene of the bell.

COMPLIMENTS FOR SUPERVISOR PACHECO

Public officials usually hear all that is unfavorable to themselves and they seldom know when praise is bestowed upon them or when they are given credit for their best efforts in behalf of their constituents.  Sometimes they do in round-about manner and this may be a case of that kind.

A party of prominent people from abroad passed through town not long since in an auto, on their way to Tomales to attend the funeral of the late Mrs. Keys at Tomales and stopped over for a while in this city, on their return.

In conversation with a prominent local citizen they stated that they were delighted with their journey although heartily wishes that their errand had not been such a sad one.  A trip over forty miles was made in less than three hours.  In speaking of the condition of the roads which they traversed, they said many kind words of praise of the condition of the roads between Petaluma and San Rafael and also gave great credit to the roadmasters throughout Chileno Valley and especially in Road District No. 8 of Marin County.  There are good roads and good bridges and they are monuments to Supervisor Pacheco as the result of his eight years in office as Supervisor of Marin County.

They were unanimous in their opinion that he should be persuaded to be a candidate for office and believe that he will be elected by a splendid majority, should he decide to accept the nomination.  They believe that he is the right man in the right place.—Petaluma Argus

GAME PRESERVE

The State Game Commission is looking for a suitable place for a State Game preserve within a reasonable distance of San Francisco, and the chances are more than favorable for Marin County securing the prize.  Deputy Commissioner Vogelsang recently paid our city a visit and inspected the mountain ridge between San Rafael and Point San Pedro.  He finds that it is a very suitable place, and that there is an abundance of water, feed and cover in the territory and the scenery is such that it would make a beautiful natural park.  Elk, deer, pheasants and quail would be at home in the preserve in its present condition, and if the land owners can be induced to favor the plan Vogelsang believes he can put it through successfully.

BREVITIES

On Friday Jack Mahar cleverly stopped a runaway grocery wagon and horse that came dashing down Fourth Street.

James A. Butler, brother of Assemblyman E.I. Butler of this city, was appointed Dairy Inspector of the San Joaquin Valley last week.  On Friday he took charge of his work.  James A. Butler formerly owned a large dairy at Point Reyes and was one of Marin County’s most prosperous dairymen.

Arnold Schmidt, formerly driver of one of Reed’s Bakery bread routes, has returned from Switzerland and brought with him a bride.  Mr. Schmidt went to Switzerland some months ago to claim his share of his father’s estate.

FIREMAN’S DANCE A GRAND SUCCESS

The 36th annual dance given by the local Fire Department on the evening of February 21st, was a grand success and attracted a large crowd, who danced until an early hour Tuesday morning.  The hall was artistically decorated with flags and greens.  The firemen had new blue shirts with red trimmings which showed up in fine style, making them conspicuous among the crowd.  The music was furnished by Lovell’s orchestra and was exceptionally fine.  The grand march was the longest ever seen in the hall.  It made a continuous line of marchers all around the hall, and the line of march was compact.  When the marchers divided to come down the center of the hall, there were so many that it was almost impossible to pass the end of the line.