On this day in Mendocino history…
Antone Fernandez Luiz, c. 1880. Antone Fernandez Luiz in regalia of the Portuguese Union of the State of California (UPEC). From a collection of photographs belonging to Antone F. and Annie Lazarus Luiz. (Ira C. Perry (photographer), Gift of Juanita Luiz Craig, Juanita Luiz Craig Collection, Kelley House Photographs)
December 14, 1932 – Antone Fernandez Luiz died at the home of his son Charles in Oakland at the age of 88. He had been visiting with his son and brother in the Bay Area for about four months. Cause of death was influenza, but he suffered from other ailments, too, and had recently had surgery at Mill Memorial Hospital in San Mateo.
Antone was a familiar figure in Mendocino for nearly 60 years. Born on the island of Flores, Azores in 1845, he immigrated to California in 1874. In 1880, he married Annie Lazarus, also born on Flores, at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Mendocino, with the Rev. Father D. O. Sullivan officiating.
In 1881, Antone engaged J. D. Johnson, Mendocino’s prolific builder, to construct a hotel near the Odd Fellows Hall on the south side of Ukiah Street. Antone and Annie operated the Lisbon Hotel, which primarily catered to Portuguese immigrants, until 1906, when they sold the hotel to Lawrence Gaspari and Joe Borgna.
Antone also operated a general merchandise store on Main Street until his retirement in 1909. Annie died later that year. Their son Charles then opened a clothing shop in this location which he operated until he sold the business to H. R. Ferrill and moved to the Bay Area in 1924.
Antone’s funeral services were held December 16 with interment in the family plot in the Catholic cemetery in Mendocino.
Cinderella of Mendocino by Gary Starr – Based on the real Cinderella who lived in a yellow house in Mendocino in the 1860s. Gary Starr’s heroine takes both mermaid and human form as she leads readers on a fantastical journey through Mendocino’s past. She swims in water towers, collects seaweed, rides whales, and makes art. The gorgeous full-color drawings bring to life author Gary Starr’s magical tale. Includes a two-page factual history at the end, so readers can learn more about the real Cinderella, along with much of what makes Mendocino such a special place to live. $10.