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Published on 06/26/1995 All articles from this issue

25 and 50 Years Ago

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25 years ago in the Town Crier

As reported in the July 1, 1970 issue of the Town Crier, the school property at the northeast corner of San Antonio Road and Hillview Avenue had been appraised at $375,000.

The 4.545 acres of property were purchased for the grand sum of $10 soon after the Los Altos School District was formed in 1909. The sellers/donors were Vernon and Charlotte Kellog and Robert Edgar Allardice.

The first school in Los Altos was built on this site for $12,000 and designed to handle up to 70 students. Prior to this, classes were held in temporary quarters on the second floor of the Shoup Building at the southwest corner of Main and Second Streets. Two wings, an assembly hall and further additions, were later added at a total cost of $70,000.

Engineers estimated it would cost $10,000 to tear down the facility and return it to its original state when it was bought for $10.

All July 4th celebration fireworks had to be "safe and sane" to qualify as legal in Los Altos in 1970, according to local police.

This excluded firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets and any type of fireworks that exploded and shot fiery sparks. Sparklers, however, were permitted. No fireworks display was scheduled locally over July 4th weekend. Neighboring Mountain View planned a big display at dusk on July 4th.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

As reported in the June 28, 1945 issue of the Los Altos News, members of the newly formed Town Council met to discuss the projected Junipero Serra highway through Los Altos, running along the Southern Pacific right-of-way.

According to Frank Ainsworth, legal advisor to the group, they planned to find out where the highway would be constructed, its cost, effects on Los Altos and, if possible, who was behind the routing.

Also, five prominent Los Altos citizens appeared before the Santa Clara County Planning Commission to protest the proposed route through Los Altos from Loyola Corners to Arastradero Road. They advised the commission there were plans to build a community youth center on land next to the Southern Pacific station and a highway could jeopardize the safety of local children.

The Girl Scouts began their annual summer trek to Sky Meadows at Big Basin, beginning July 3 and continuing through Aug. 14, 1945.

Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Sette of Santa Maria Avenue joined members of the camp committee who spent two weeks getting the camp in order, including furnishing a new unit and remodeling the cookhouse.

An editorial titled "Fourth of July ... 1945" concluded with, "On July 4, 1945 we know the price of liberty. We know that the Declaration of Independence is an immortal document only because mortal men, men of this community and of all the cities and towns of America, are willing to die to preserve it."

Compiled by Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Museum.