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Published on 07/17/1995 All articles from this issue

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25 years ago in the Town Crier As reported in the July 22, 1970 issue of the Town Crier, a 62-year-old pagoda on the Foothill College campus was up for sale in "as is" condition. The minimum acceptable price was $50, cash and carry.

The quaint structure, deemed surplus by the college district board of trustees, was a holdover from a bygone era of elegance when the campus property was a private estate. It was built about 1908 for the estate's owner, William Griffin. He brought three or four Japanese artisans from Japan to design and build the pagoda teahouse as well as other garden structures. No nails were used in its construction except in the roof shingles.

A 20-year-old youth's mother thought he was growing catnip as a botanical experiment in the backyard home-made greenhouse. Some of the neighbors weren't too sure and asked Los Altos police to investigate.

Police Sergeant William Lester called it a flourishing crop of marijuana that could yield about 4 kilos if matured and harvested. In 1970, marijuana sold for about $175 per kilo. The young "botanist" was charged with violating the State Health and Safety Code.

Gale Gladney of Los Altos, an art student at the University of the Pacific at Stockton, was chosen Miss Mountain View of 1970 from a field of 11 candidates.

Gladney was also a student pilot, no doubt influenced by her parents' interest in aviation. Her mother, Patricia, had won fame as a Powder Puff Derby finalist.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

As reported in the July 19, 1945 issue of the Los Altos News, the local business association appealed to the county supervisors to clean up the weeds in Los Altos, especially in the downtown section. The organization also asked the county to wash down local streets twice a week.

Concern was registered with the fire commission over the fact that both fire trucks had responded to a fire, leaving the station vacant and unable to act in the event of a second alarm.

The elementary school playground was opened to the community on July 17, 1945, the beginning of a summer recreational program for children from the age of 5 years up.

Principal Ardis Egan said the school board had recognized the need for recreational activities in the community and the school ground was the logical place to begin.

It was hoped a swimming program at the Mountain View High School pool would be launched soon. A survey was under way to determine the needs of the community.

George B. Benedict arose early on July 13, 1945 in order to continue harvesting his apricot orchard along Almond and Gordon Way, only to discover that during the night someone had stolen 2,000 new tree props.

The heavily laden branches hung to the ground and it meant fast and extra work had to be done by the pickers to save the crop.

-Compiled by Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Association