Berkeley was preparing for 1925’s wildfire season in several ways, the Berkeley Daily Gazette reported a century ago on June 26, 1925.
The city had purchased a supply of firefighting equipment including “shovels, rakes, a plentiful supply of gunny sacks … and electric lanterns.” These would be used by city employees called to fight hills-area fires. If a fire threatened, the first alarm would go out from a siren at the new Grizzly Peak fire lookout and via calls to neighborhood fire wardens in the affected area.
This bank advertisement in a June 1925 issue of the Berkeley Daily Gazette highlighted the city’s assets, including what was said to be “the largest university in the world,” “many large factories” and “many fine home districts.” (photo courtesy of the Berkeley Historical Society and Museum)A second alarm, if needed, would be sounded on the siren of the California Ink Works in West Berkeley, according to the Gazette, and a third alarm if needed, “will be sounded by the new fire siren of the University of California and … will call out the workmen on the university grounds and volunteer male students if college is in session. This service will be primarily for the protection of the university grounds and buildings … .”
UC Berkeley would also cache firefighting equipment at four sites on the campus and in Strawberry Canyon and continue to maintain fire trails in the hills areas. The story noted that the East Bay Water Co. “has cleared a fire break back of Berkeley.”
The city’s assets: A June 20, 1925, Gazette advertisement by the American Bank highlighted the city’s attractions. Part of it is shown in the photo accompanying this article.
Wagon crash: “The first collision between a train and a horse-drawn vehicle in years occurred this forenoon when a Berkeley Farm Creamery wagon driven by C.R. Brennan, 32, of 1635 Spruce Street, was struck by an Ellsworth street train at Woolsey and Deakin streets. Brennan was thrown from the truck and sustained a probable fracture of the right leg and body bruises,” the Gazette reported.
“The impact turned the wagon completely around, throwing both horses. Neither was injured. Some milk was spilled, but the wagon was only slightly damaged.”
New loans: An announcement of the creation of a new financial institution in Berkeley in the June 26, 1925, Gazette also showed the era’s close ties between city government and the business community. The business was the proposed Security Bond Building and Loan Association that was described as concentrating on financing new residential construction and home loans in the city.
“The association will undoubtedly play an important part in the development of Berkeley’s home districts,” the Gazette noted.
Related Articles
Today in History: June 25, former White House counsel begins testifying on Watergate scandal London’s secret tunnels that helped inspire James Bond will open to the public, complete with a bar Today in History: June 24, Sally Ride completes historic space shuttle mission What to know about the Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago that legalized same-sex marriage in the US Grandma was wrong: 11 food myths debunkedProminent among public officials said to be “financially interested” in the project were the city manager, city attorney, police chief, fire chief, city librarian and city engineer, plus one councilmember and one school board member. One can imagine the conflict-of-interest issues such a relationship would raise today, but in the 1925 Gazette, the investment and involvement of city officials was noted matter-of-factly.
Taxes: “All property on which 1924-25 taxes are unpaid will automatically come into the possession of the city on Saturday (June 27, 1925), according to the announcement today of Miss Pauline Young, city treasurer and tax collector,” the Gazette warned readers June 24.
Major earthquake: The Gazette’s June 29, 1925, front page was filled with early reports of a major earthquake that day which “laid in ruins” the city of Santa Barbara.
Looking back at history records, it appears it was a 6.5- to 6.8-magnitude quake that killed 13 and destroyed Santa Barbara’s downtown. Public and commercial buildings collapsed or were irreparably damaged; one of the towers on the Santa Barbara Mission partially fell; and a nearby dam also failed, flooding part of the city.
Bay Area native and Berkeley community historian Steven Finacom holds this column’s copyright.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Berkeley, a Look Back: City getting ready for fire season in June 1925 )
Also on site :