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Published on 12/01/1999 All articles from this issue

Pages of the Past

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50 years ago

In the headlines: Word around Washington was that Margaret Truman, daughter of the President, had no wedding plans, was devoted to her singing career and had no romantic interest.

In Los Altos: The Chamber of Commerce awards for outstanding holiday decorations went to Lucille's Gift Shop, The Blintz, and Mac's Tea Room.

Dedication of the new Hillview School featured a box-social auction of dinners made by mothers and daughters with fathers and sons bidding for the boxes of their choice.

Percy Helena, Postmaster of Los Altos, urged early mailing of holiday cards and packages and reminded patrons that the new rate for cards in unsealed envelopes had gone up to 2 cents each.

The "go ahead" signal was given by members of the Los Altos Citizens Association to present the question of incorporation of Los Altos to the town citizens.

Santa Clara County population jumped to 292,600 to take seventh place among California counties.

Featured at the Altos Theatre: "My Friend Irma" with Marie Wilson; "Big Steal" with Robert Mitchum; and "Movie Crazy" with Harold Lloyd.

25 years ago

In the headlines: The entertainment industry mourned the passing of Bud Abbot of "Abbot and Costello" fame and Jack Benny.

In Los Altos: The newly-elected president of Los Altos Hills Historical society, Lucille Gould, succeeded Florence Fava, town historian and founding president of the organization.

The merchants of Foothill Plaza Shopping Center at Foothill Expressway and Homestead Road formed their own association. The Los Altos Board of Realtors selected John D. Cassidy as their new president.

Developer Bob Owen met substantial neighborhood opposition and was denied a rezoning request to allow construction of a 24-unit condominium development on 2.2 acres located at the southwest corner of Marvin Avenue and Pepper Drive. The property was zoned for single-home residential use only.

Because of declining school enrollment, Hillview School was closed. In early December the minimum amount the Los Altos School District Trustees set as an acceptable price for the acreage on San Antonio Road was $230,000. The parcel was located between the Los Altos Library and Hillview School. Later in the month an independent appraiser valued the land at $1.5 million, so the trustees tabled immediate sale of the land and scheduled a January meeting.

- Compiled by Donna Shoemaker for the Los Altos History House Museum. E-mail: LAHistoryHouse@aol.com