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Published on 10/05/1998 All articles from this issue

Pages of the Past

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25 years ago in the Town Crier

As reported in the Oct. 17, 1973, issue of the Town Crier, for only a $1 donation, local homeowners were able to purchase insurance policies against damage by goblins and ghosts on Halloween eve. Los Altos High School band members were selling insurance against damage from "such as eggs, soaped windows and toilet paper."

Charles Taber, band director, began the sales plan, which had netted the band and drill team $471 the previous year, and he hoped to top that with at least 1,000 policies.

The tons of litter left at Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock State parks by thousands of summer visitors were removed by volunteers Oct. 13, 1973, during the fifth annual cleanup day sponsored by the Los Altos-based Sempervirens Fund.

Several women of Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos joined the ranks of quilters who had become engrossed in the nearly forgotten folk art that was enjoying a popular revival. The quilt they were creating in a Dresden pattern neared completion in October 1973 and was a featured attraction at the church women's "Holiday Hope Chest." Proceeds benefited Christian outreach and missions.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

According to the Oct. 14, 1948, issue of the Los Altos News, the latest rumor on Main Street in 1948 was that someone was going to build no less than 18 new stores on State Street. Other plans were also afoot for almost all sections of the business district.

The Los Altos Business Association, aware of the growth, compiled suggestions for necessary improvements in the downtown area and sent them to County Supervisor C.P. Cooley. It was an attempt to secure more adequate street lighting, better street drainage, paving of some alleys and better parking arrangements. The downtown business district and its problems seemed to call more and more for a local government.

Inspired by a kickoff rally on Oct. 9, 1948, the workers for the Los Altos Scout fund drive began solicitations of the residential area.

The goal was $8,100, said Jack Silverman, chairman of the campaign. The funds were to be distributed among the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Scout hall expenses, camperships and equipment.

Douglas Ken Richardson, a local resident, was playing right end on the first string football team of the Naval Training Center, which had made a strong showing in the service league.

Richardson had attended the original Mountain View High School and had been voted the school's outstanding athlete in 1946-47. He had earned letters in basketball, football, baseball and track.

- Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Association