Los Gatos Weekly-Times
News
Camp Fire Girls of '27 'seek beauty' in town
The Camp Fire Girls was incorporated in 1912. The first ideal of the organization was to 'Seek Beauty,' which is what happened in Los Gatos in 1927 when the girls of the 'Wawataissa' group, under the direction of Gladys Record, decided to reclaim Fairview Plaza. The one-quarter-acre park had been donated to the town by Frank H. McCullough, who arrived in Los Gatos in 1880 and purchased 166 acres for $5,000. The project soon involved much of the community. One-third of the park became a playground, and the rest comprised a bird sanctuary. Old rose bushes had not been pruned for years, and the land was covered with weeds and branches. The girls raked, mowed, dug, pulled weeds, planted and built and painted bird baths. Pictured here (from left) are Lorraine Howard, Miss Thayer and Dorothy Pringle. When the little park was finished, it had gateway arches in a Japanese style contributed by Herman Sund and a lily pond made possible by Frank Bell, A. W. Templeman, George Lewis, 'Tex' Dardy, T. A. Butterworth and C. J. Elder. John Zanardi assisted by removing all the rubbish. Many others contributed labor or materials. Fairview Plaza was once again reclaimed in 2004.
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
The campaign against sin in Los Gatos was started in the Pavilion on Santa Cruz Avenue Sunday morning. The four churches supporting the work gave up their morning service with the result that there were not enough chairs to accommodate those who attended. On the platform were the ministers who are directing the movement, the evangelist Rev. Baskerville, and Mr. Moody, the singer. Mr. Moody has action earnestness and a great, big expressive voice which he used with telling effect. (The Los Gatos News, May 4, 1906)
50 years ago
Billy Jones' famed miniature railroad will be running again, Jones assured today after the train's orange caboose jumped the tracks and skidded down a 5-foot embankment yesterday afternoon, sending seven badly frightened but not seriously injured children to the hospitals for emergency treatment. Most seriously injured was 8-year-old J. Randy Jones of Campbell, who suffered a fractured left arm. The near tragedy at about 4:30 p.m. sent a scare through the community and the entire Bay Area, augmented by wild rumors that many children were killed. One television station reportedly flashed on its screen that "12 were killed in train wreck at Los Gatos." (Los Gatos TimesSaratoga Observer, May 14, 1956)
Los Gatos Public Library Director Peggy Conaway compiled this report.
