The following are historical items from the Week in History for San Benito County collected from archives at the San Benito County Historical Society Museum:
1918
Pinnacles promotion works: It was announced that thanks to publicity from the Chamber of Commerce, large crowds of tourists had gathered at Pinnacles to experience the scenery and caverns.
Restaurant sold: The local restaurant Mother’s Kitchen was sold to to Mrs. L.E. Andrews and Mrs. May Lawson by Mrs. M.E. Glennie.
1921
Grammar school ceremony: The cornerstone for the new Hollister Grammar School was laid to go with a ceremony, addresses by officials and a parade. A box with copies of the local newspaper, 1921 coins and other relics were put inside.
‘Wooden policemen’ damaged: A traffic officer appeared before the town board of trustees and protested against “wooden policemen” placed in the residential district, claiming they are a menace to traffic and it is hard to see them until it’s too late. He testified that three of the wooden policemen already had been destroyed.
Library trustee resigns: RP Lathrop, a library trustee since the library’s founding, resigned to the town trustees because he planned to leave the city. The Women’s Club recommended Mrs. C.S. Danks, who was appointed to the role.
1922
Elks location announced: The Elks Club decided to build a location at the southeast corner of San Benito and Fifth streets.
1925
New gas station: A new service station opened at San Benito Steet near the railroad crossing. The Church Brothers opened with hopes of gaining traffic from vehicles off Pacheco Pass.
Hawkins mansion sold: Mrs. Katheryn Ritchie sold the old T.S. Hawkins mansion on South Street to Ernest Dooley. The home went up in 1872 by the late Thomas S. Hawkins.
J.C. Penney moving to town: J.C. Penney leased the Ladd building at the northeast corner of San Benito and Sixth streets to use for a department store.
1933
San Juan Study Club: San Juan Study Club was hostess to the Federation of Women’s Clubs at the home of Mrs. E. Zanetta.
1975
Building moratorium announced: A building moratorium was announced in Hollister when City Hall announced that after June 4 builders could not hook up to the domestic sewer system. It shut down new building. It came in the midst of the Regional Water Quality Control Board scheduling a public hearing to determine if the sewer system could handle anymore connections. It was believed the moratorium would be in place until a new sewer plant could be finished more than a year down the road.
