Free Refrigeration from Jack Frost – 63 Years Ago

In the at El Cerrito City Hall, you can turn to the now yellowed front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal for today, April 21, in 1949 to see a snapshot of our community in its post-war growth years. Here are some of the actual headlines from the paper's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

April Building Permits
Indicate Banner Year

The first two weeks of April saw 23 building permits issued, signaling a continuation of the increased pace of local building. The city engineer, R.R. Randall, reported that April's permit valuation was $205,680 with 20 of the permits for single-family homes, two for duplexes and one for El Cerrito's third fire house. The April numbers brought the total of new homes for the year to 125, a pace that Randall said is far ahead of last year's. 

Jack Frost Provides
Free Refrigeration

A hearty thanks was extended to businessman Jack Frost, who presented a nine-cubic-foot refrigerator to the Harding School Community Center. The appreciation came from the Harding Dad's Club, the school PTA and the Scouts that use the building. Mr. Harding owns Acme Refrigeration Co., located in the 900 block of San Pablo Avenue.

Social Triumph
Marks Benefit
Hospital Benefit

A benefit "Night in Venice" dinner-dance last night for Children's Hospital of the East Bay was attended by more than 250 persons at Six Bells Restaurant. The evening featured elaborate entertainment and Italian cuisine in an old-world atmosphere and "costumed beauties" who served as hostesses. It was sponsored by hospital's new Elm Branch, whose members are ladies from El Cerrito and Albany. "The Elm Branch is deeply grateful for the cooperation given our benefit project," said Mrs. George McDermott, chairman of the local unit. "It is heartwarming to know that people of this area recognize the true value of assisting children who are unable to assist themselves."

City Receives
Contract Bids
On Police Bldg.

The city received 10 bids covering a wide range to build a new police station east of the present fire house on Manila Avenue. The high bid of $16,067 was submitted by Elmer Freethy, and the low bid of $12,370 came from George Harder. Mayor Millard E. Bostock referred the bids to City Manager Edwin S. Howell and R.R. Randall, city engineer. 

Click  for other vignettes we've published about El Cerrito history. Click the Keep the Keep me posted button below for alerts to future articles in this series. You can find some back issues of the El Cerrito Journal at the Shadi Historical Room at City Hall, open to the public on the third Thursday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m.