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This rare circa 1908 scene was photographed in front of the Opera House, looking east along an unpaved Main Street. The prosperous gentleman at far left is walking past a grocery located in the Aram Block. Effects of the catastrophic 'Livery Stable Fire' of Oct. 13, 1901, can still be seen. That fire started in the rear of a bakery on Park Avenue and quickly spread to nearby stables. The conflagration destroyed most of the business district of the town, leveling up to 60 buildings, and then moved up University Avenue to destroy the First Episcopal Church, which was soon rebuilt at the same location. Construction of John Lyndon's Vermont Block has begun on the south side of the street, named after his native state and completed in 1909. The brick block of five stores with full basements still stair-steps down Main Street toward the bridge, with three of the shops now occupied by Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. A ghostly image of a cat appears nearly under the horse's feet.
Do you have a pre-1975 photograph that you would like to share with the community? Contact Library Director Peggy Conaway at pconaway@losgatosca.gov.
100 years ago
While driving across the bridge a few days ago, Miss Rollins' horse became frightened by an Interurban car and started to run. The rig struck Mrs. E. O. Harrison's buggy and upset it.
No one was hurt. Miss Rollins' horse was stopped before it ran very far. (Los Gatos News—Aug. 11, 1905)
75 years ago
Clarence Lyndon, volunteer fireman, is able to be out of bed again after suffering two broken ribs when he was making a run to a fire last week. Lyndon ran into the rear of Fire Chief Jack Sullivan's truck, which was parked in front of the Lyndon home on Wilder Avenue.
Lyndon went to the blaze and in the excitement did not notice he was injured. On returning home he felt severe pains and a doctor was called. (Los Gatos Mail News—Aug. 7, 1930)
50 years ago
Bronzed by three days of Los Gatos sunshine, approximately 800 nudists donned their clothing and broke camp yesterday at Lupin Lodge to end the three-day convention of the Western Sunbathing Association.
The final day was highlighted by the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Sunshine, a fashion show, and two other events not on the official agenda—the capture and conversion of four trespassers and the crash of an "observation" plane flown by two young curiosity seekers. (Los Gatos Times-Saratoga Observer—Aug. 1, 1955)
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Photograph courtesy of the Charles Bergtold Collection