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Published on 02/03/1997 All articles from this issue

25 years ago in the Town Crier

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According to the Feb. 9, 1972, issue of the Town Crier, disheartenment was the main reason behind Ruth and Donald Halvorsen's decision to sell the 1912 observation car and the 1916 caboose that sat in front of their restaurant, the Old Station House at 288 First Street. The asking prices were $20,000 for the refurbished observation car and $9,000 for the caboose.

The hope of offering a history-oriented focal point for informal meetings and exhibits run into stumbling blocks because of city zoning and parking requirements, Ruth Halvorsen said.

The Halvorsens had taken over the handsome Spanish-style building in 1968. Originally the building, constructed in 1913, had served as a passenger and freight railroad station until the early 1960s when railroad service along this line was discontinued. It remained empty for several years before becoming a restaurant. Later it served as the home of the San Diego Federal Savings and Loans. Today, Maria's Antiques of Los Altos occupies the historic building.

Filing closed Feb. 3, 1972, for candidates running for the Los Altos Hills Council in what was foreseen as a "red hot council race." Three incumbents plus four challengers filed papers.

50 years ago in the Los Altos NewsThe Feb. 6, 1947 edition of the Los Altos News reported that Boy Scout Week, beginning Feb. 7, 1947, was observed by 1,980,000 Boy Scouts nationwide in recognition of the 37th anniversary of the organization. Theme of the observance was "Scouts of the World - Building for Tomorrow." All of the members of the Scouts of the Stanford Area Council began festivities with a "Fun Rally" at the Palo Alto High School auditorium. In Los Altos, there were several observances to honor the three very active local troops and the several Cub Packs.

Construction was underway on a $100,000 farm chemical research laboratory between Los Altos and Santa Clara on the north side of Fremont Road near Stevens Creek.. A project of the Stauffer Chemical Company, the laboratory was designed for testing new chemicals including insecticides, weed killers, fertilizers and plant growth regulators.

A rumor, fueled by a printed report in a near-by newspaper, was denounced by the Los Altos News as "a lot of hot air." The rumor that Father Divine was negotiating for the purchase of the Rolandi estate on El Monte Avenue in order to set up a "West Coast Heaven" for his followers.

-Researched by Ellen Shaw of the History House Association