December 6, 1889 - Charles C. Luiz was born in Mendocino. His parents, Antone and Annie Lazarus Luiz operated the Lisbon Hotel on Ukiah Street until they sold the property in 1906, and Charles attended Mendocino schools. Antone also ran a general merchandise store on Main Street, in the building where Highlight Gallery was most recently located. After Antone retired in 1909, Charles opened a clothing [...]
On this day in Mendocino history… December 4, 1916 - Captain Henry Nelson died suddenly while visiting relatives in New York. His remains were returned to California and buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. Born in 1844 in Sandefjord, Norway, Henry left home when he was thirteen, returning two years later to visit for a few months. This visit was his last trip to Norway. [...]
December 2, 1932 - Ralph C. Sutherland took over ownership of the S. & E. Garage on the east end of Main Street, buying out his partner (and brother-in-law) Charles Escola. Ralph, who had been the head mechanic for nine years, renamed the business, “Sutherland’s Garage.” In addition to repairs, he sold tires, batteries, oil, and radios. In 1934, he began selling new Plymouth and DeSoto [...]
The Old Incline and County Road South of Mendocino, 1929 - 1933. View of the remnants of the Mendocino Lumber Company's inclined tramway that ascends the bluff from Big River. On the right is the elevated bridge that brought non-vehicular travelers from the Big River Flat, up through a 50-foot gap between two houses, and onto Main Street just west of Evergreen Avenue. It was once [...]
On this day in Mendocino Coast history… November 26, 1966 - Jennie K. Mantyla of Comptche passed away at a Ukiah hospital at the age of 83 following a long illness. She had been bedridden for twelve years and had spent four years in the Redwood Coast Hospital in Fort Bragg before being transferred to Ukiah. Studio portrait of Jennie Mantyla, 1907. Jennie was [...]
November 22, 1909 - Mendocino druggist Charles Oscar Packard became the first person to be arrested for violating the community’s Dry Law prohibiting the sale of alcohol. This law was enacted following an election the previous July, which put 9 saloons and 5 hotel bars out of business. Packard was brought before Judge John Francis Murray at the Big River Justice Court, where he pled not [...]
November 20, 1903 - Joe Silvia survived a horrific accident at the Shipping Point. The following day, the Beacon described what happened, “Why Joe Silvia is alive to tell the tale of the accident that befell him yesterday morning when he was suddenly knocked off the wire chute platform to the rocks forty feet below will probably forever remain a mystery. As the load of lumber [...]
November 18, 1928 - Funeral services were held at the Mendocino Presbyterian Church for James William “Billy” Mullen, who served as Mendocino’s Postmaster for four decades. He had been in declining health for about 4 years and had suffered a stroke just a few days before his death. Studio photograph of Carlson & Mullen Family Members, c. 1885. Seated are Edward Carlson and Theresa Mullen. [...]
November 15, 1950 - Mrs. Katherine “Kate” M. Gorman died suddenly at the age of 90. The Beacon described her death as, “bringing to a close a life filled with love for her family and friends and usefulness to her community. She was loved by all who knew her and she was kind, generous, and a loving mother.” Portrait of Kate Gorman, c. 1880. (Studio: [...]
Frank Mathison in France, c. 1917. Frank Mathison of Little River enlisted in the US Army during World War I and served in the 5th Company 20th Engineers in France. After the war, Frank worked as a woodsman until he retired. On the back of the postcard is written, "From Frank Mathison, somewhere in France.” November 11, 1918 - Town residents rejoiced over the [...]