By Don McDonald

Los Altos - Celebrating 50 Years

2002 marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Los Altos. During the year, this column will cover what our predecessor newspapers reported 50 years ago. The following items appeared in the weekly Los Altos News of May 9 & 16, 1952:

The front page was dominated by three photos of the 1952 Pet Parade, which was described as being successful.

An article covered a speech by David Packard given to the Society for Advancement of Management. In describing his company, the article stated that it is “… now employing more than 500 men and women in a 60,000-square-foot plant. It was started in 1939 in a private garage with capital of $538.”

The 15th annual Horseplay Fiesta was advertised to take place June 6 at Hidden Villa Ranch on Moody Road.

Concessions were run to raise funds for worthy purposes by the Kiwanis Club, Los Altos Quota Club and Los Altos Folk Dance Group.

A large half-page ad invited all Los Altans to a “Giant Thank-You Party,” given by the Furuichi family in gratitude “for helping us build a wonderful business.”

The family settled here in 1919, ran an orchard until 1930, and then had a truck farm until World War II. Their Los Altos Nursery was started in 1946.

The open house would feature films, talks and 2,000 orchids for the ladies.

Many political ads for candidates in the forthcoming Primary Election were included. Offices covered were U.S. Senate and Congress, county supervisor, Superior Court judge and Los Altos School District.

A “Grand Opening” was announced by George Goodman Gordon for his “Peninsula Landscape Service Inc.” located on State Street by the post office.

Another opening was announced for a new professional building at 133 State St., next to the post office.

It noted that the $85,000 building’s “harmonious, quiet dignity expresses the rural charm characteristic of Los Altos and so loved by Los Altans.” Both openings were the subject of fullpage ads of congratulatory messages, mostly from subcontractors.

The Altos Theatre celebrated its “Gala Third Anniversary” by showing “Rashomon” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” The previous week it had shown W.C. Fields in “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man” and “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break.”

The Monte Vista Drive-In at El Camino and Grant Road was showing “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs.”

“No Other Car Offers So Much For Only $2,248.42″ claimed the Mozart Motor Co. at 250 First St. in offering the new Hudson Pacemaker two-door Brougham.

W.C. Taaffe advertized his Rototiller Service for $5 an hour.

McDonald is a longtime resident and volunteer at the Los Altos History House Museum.