By Don McDonald
Los Altos - Celebrating 50 Years
The year 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 and 16, 1952:
The front page was dominated by three photos of the Pet Parade, which was described as being very 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 was “… 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 there were to be run by the Kiwanis Club, Los Altos Quota Club and Los Altos Folk Dance Group, to raise funds for worthy purposes.
A half-page ad invited all Los Altans to a “Giant Thank-You Party.” It was to be 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 featured films, talks and 2,000 orchids for the ladies.
Many political ads were included for candidates in the forthcoming primary election. Offices covered were the U.S. Senate and Congress, county supervisor, Superior Court judge and Los Altos School District trustee.
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 full-page 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 the Seven Dwarfs.”
“No Other Car Offers So Much For Only $2248.42,” claimed the Mozart Motor Co., 250 First St., in offering the new Hudson Pacemaker Two-Door Brougham.
W.C. Taaffe advertised his Rototiller Service for $5 an hour.
McDonald is a member of the Los Altos Historical Museum Association.
