50 years ago: 3,100 sq.-ft. home an 'excellent' buy at $41,000

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) No highway funds: An advisory committee consisting of representatives from each of the incorporated cities in the county and two from area industries is being named to pursue the availability of funds and possible new routing of a highway link between Highway 65 and Interstate 80 north of Roseville. The highway department representatives were "very definite" no state or federal monies would be forthcoming for the project, according to Oliver Grey, secretary of the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce, who attended the meeting with Lincoln City Administrator Bill Russ. Since much of the route falls within the city limits of Roseville, the possibility of a combination of city and county funds will be explored, Grey reported. The highway link is being sought to divert traffic generated by industrial areas of Placer County from traveling on the city streets of Roseville and Rocklin. Real estate: Grey Brothers Realtors had the following real estate for sale: 4-bedroom, 2 bath home, 3,100 sq ft. living area. Central H&A. Many amenities. Good neighborhood, close to schools. One large lot. Excellent buy at $41,000. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Fires: Lincoln has had many disastrous fires. Perhaps the most spectacular was in 1882 when a fire swept over practically the entire business section of the growing little city. At an early morning hour, a fire was discovered in the Mason House, which Jan Mason had moved down from Gold Hill. The fire soon spread to the Logan House, the Burdge Hotel and many other business houses. The Burdge Hotel was then located on the west side of G Street between 4th and 5th Streets, which later became the site of the Jansen warehouse. Lincoln made a desolate appearance with the entire business section in ashes, streets filled with furniture, broken and scattered. One of the saloons which burned had a large cellar with a goodly supply of liquors. The barrels of liquors made a fantastic bluish, flickering, swishing blaze. Old Doctor Wadley stood with his wife Molly and repeated over and over mournfully, "Oh, Molly, what a waste! What a shame!" In those early days, the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company was the leading insurance company. They supplied their patrons with a small black sign about 2½ by 4 inches on which was lettered in white, "Phoenix Insurance Company." The sign was nailed on the front of the houses insured by the company. The Bucket Brigade Firemen fought fires on the buildings which were so labeled and received pay from the company. However, volunteers, then as now, fought any and all fires and very efficiently, despite lack of equipment, without pay or hope of any reward. Among other disastrous fires in later years were the Gladding, McBean plant, the Lincoln Cannery, the Chamberlain building, the Wilson mansion, Neville's blacksmith shop, Haenny's Hall, True Blue Hall and the high school gymnasium. The citizenry of Lincoln talked for many years about adequate fire protection. After a destructive fire, the people would become aroused and considered better fire protection. Then the agitation would die down and the question became dormant until another fire destroyed valuable property and the subject would then be the "burning issue of the day." In 1887, John Austin, in the first issue of Lincoln's first newspaper, the "Lincoln Gazette," editorialized on the need of a fire department, saying the town should at least provide for hooks, ladders and buckets and place them where they would be handy of access in time of need. After Lincoln was incorporated Aug. 4, 1890, groups appeared before the Board of Trustees and insisted adequate water be provided to reduce the existing fire hazard. On Dec. 23, 1891, following another fire, a motion was made and carried that a committee composed of A.J. Gladding and Fred Wastier Sr. was to ascertain the cost of a chemical fire engine with a complete fireman's outfit and report back as soon as possible. Evidently, the project was a too ambitious one, as we find no further reference to this committee in the city records. On Oct. 10, 1893, we note in the minutes that the question of protection against fire was discussed and the Board of Trustees decided to take steps at once toward providing the most practical appliances possible. Again, the question lay dormant for three years or until Nov. 18, 1896, when an order was placed with Schaw, Ingram, and Batcher Company to purchase 500 feet of 2½-inch Eureka hose at .80 cents per foot for immediate delivery and Mr. Batcher was requested to send out cuts and description of hose carts together with prices. Six days later on Nov. 24, 1896, Charles Kennedy, fire chief, was instructed to order a hose cart from Schaw, Ingram, and Batcher at once. The price, $200. On Jan. 19, 1897, Messrs. C.F. Beermann and Charles Kennedy appeared before the board requesting a loan of $200 to the Fire Company to apply on the proposed purchase of the Burdge Winery building to be used as a firehouse, etc. Trustees W.S. Allen and Jansen were appointed as a committee to investigate and inspect the proposed building and report back at the next meeting. On Feb. 22, 1897, a motion was made and carried that $200 be donated to the Hose Company on a subscription list provided the firemen were successful in raising an additional $200 by subscription toward the purchase of the Burdge Winery property and on March 2 the $200 was voted. The old Burdge Winery building was used as the City Hall and meeting place of the firemen until the auditorium was built (1921). When the fire bell rang, the boys who drove the grocery delivery wagons would race to the fire house, hitch the hose cart behind the wagon and rush pell-mell to the fire. The first boy getting to the fire house received a small reward. Note: This article was written by Mrs. Mabel Ahart, 1882-1975. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910 and 1920) Navy Day: The following letter dated 10/20/1925 was printed in the Lincoln News Messenger: "Dear Sir: The Navy League of the United States has again selected Tuesday, October 27, 1925, for the observance of 'Navy Day.' This day, the purposes of which are to explain the past and present services of the Navy to the Nation and to point out the important part the Navy holds in our plan of National life by bring the people of the country into intimate touch with the organization and the activities of the Navy, will be observed throughout the United States. It is their Navy and we want Americans to know what it has done for them in the past, is doing for them now, and may be expected to do for them in the future. I am asking you, in your capacity as a newspaper, to give publicity to the observance of this day. Thanking you for your cordial cooperation last year and requesting your kind indulgence again by calling this day to the notice of the citizens of your community, I am very sincerely yours, J.H. Dayton, Rear Admiral, U.S.N., Commandant" Dear Reader: I always appreciate and enjoy meeting you and hearing your input on this column. It is a lot of fun for me to put together and knowing you are reading brings me great joy. Thanks for reading! – MBO