Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

Judge Crooks Retires January 1 (December 24, 1942)

Judge W.L. Crooks, justice of the peace for Benicia Township, will retire from public office January 1, 1943, after having served as justice for 16 years.
The office of justice of the peace is one of two in which Judge Crooks has served this community, having been Mayor of Benicia for 31 years, retiring from that office in 1940.
He was associated with the business life of the community as president of the People’s Bank from 1894 to 1924, and it was through his interest in a place of entertainment for Benicia that the Majestic Theater, unequalled in any city of this size, was built.
Judge Crooks does not intend to retire to a life of idleness but will continue to do business at the old stand, selling real estate and writing insurance.

50 years ago

Free Dogsled Rides Slated Saturday Along First Street (Dec. 21, 1967)

The weather man is doing his frigid best to cooperate for Saturday’s planned dogsled rides on First Street under the auspices of local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce.
A crowd of Benicia youngsters is anticipated for the rides which will be given between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Benicia merchants are giving away free tickets good for one ride on the dogsled.
The event will include Santa Claus in person plus seven Siberian Huskies. The sled, which runs on wheels, will tote six to eight children per ride. It is guided by skilled drivers front and rear. Parents may accompany small children on the rides.

25 years ago

BUSD accepts blueprint for BHS (Dec. 20, 1992)

By David Hagerty

Benicia High School has a blueprint for growth that could expand its facilities for up to 1,000 more students than it now enrolls.
The school board Thursday night unanimously approved a master plan for adding more classrooms, expanding the gymnasium, refurbishing or replacing the cafeteria, and adding more parking space for students.
The first work is set to begin during the 1993 summer break, when one wing of classes will be relocated and many of the permanent classrooms will be upgraded.
All work will be paid for with funds from the $29.5 million Benicia school bond, Measure B-B.
…
BHS Principal Archie Kinney responded that the master plan focuses on the long-term goals of the school, not on present employees.
“We’re trying to build it in terms of what it will look like in 2015,” Kinney said.

The full articles of these and other stories are available on microfilm at the Benicia Public Library.

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