September 1947
50 Years!
This is the first of a series chronicling the Los Altos Town Crier’s 50-year history. The paper marks its golden anniversary this September.
We start by tracking the paper’s humble beginnings in the post-World War II era.
It was fall 1947. Apricots still reigned in Los Altos, but no longer as far as the eye could see. The post-World War II boom was being felt. Los Altos’ population was growing. Orchards, groves and estates were gradually giving way to new subdivisions, with homes surrounded by flower gardens.
New businesses were coming to town. The first Pet Parade had been held. The Los Altos Kiwanis Club was newly formed. The Los Altos News had been well established. But it was time for a second paper in Los Altos.
On Sept. 9, 1947, the first issue of the Los Altos Town Crier hit the streets and the mail. The 8 1/2-by-11 inch single-fold shopper contained an introductory letter from publishers Warren Goodrich and David MacKenzie, and an announcement of a change in management in the meat department at Gordon’s Market.
Advertisers included J&S Food Store, Gene Tarbell Fine Apparel, Skerry’s Sporting Chance, Los Altos Hardware, Watson’s Jewel Box, Village Shop, Larry Nelson’s Los Altos Pharmacy, Brier Lea Studios, F.W. Williamson Chevron Dealer, Sims Nursery, Los Altos Food Center, Charles Moulds Sportswear for Men, Sam Kahn’s Corner Pharmacy, Bullock’s Dry Cleaners, Main Hardware & Supply Co. , plus Bolander’s, Taylor’s Bake Shop, Lowe’s Delicatessen and Hillyer’s Fine Meats, all at the Foodliner.
Co-founder David MacKenzie said 1,200 copies of the first edition were delivered by mail at a penny each.
“We had to do all kinds of things to be competitive,” MacKenzie said. “We added a free bulletin board, and the bell ringer with a prize every week if you had the winning number. A lot of friends were made through the bulletin board.”
Over the next few months we’ll take a look at the Town Crier’s coverage of the events that have shaped Los Altos over the last half century, and at some of the colorful people who covered those events.
And we’ll look ahead into the next 50 years.
We hope you’ll send us your recollections and thoughts, and join us in the celebration as the Town Crier turns 50.
