Looking Back: Paso Roblans in January 1919 as the Spanish Flu was winding down
Click here to read the full front page of the Jan 24, 1919, Paso Robles Leader
‘If our city Trustees would have the streets sprinkled with sulphur water we believe it would entirely eradicate the disease’
Excerpts from the Paso Robles Leader, Jan 24, 1919:
-As the Spanish Flu was winding down, to be declared ended by some sources by mid-1919 or April 1920 by other sources, life in Paso Robles seemed relatively normal, except for a health suggestion published on the front page of the January 24, 1919 issue of the Paso Robles Leader.
A pandemic health suggestion
Did you ever notice that there has never been any great epidemic here in Paso Robles?
Years ago, when Dr. Glass was practicing medicine, he claimed that the fumes of the sulphur water was an antidote against any disease that might be floating in the air, and we believe he knew what he was talking about.
Every one knows that this section is more free from the Flu contagion than any other portion of the state. If our city Trustees would have the streets sprinkled with sulphur water we believe it would entirely eradicate the disease from this section, anyway it is worth a trial.
Editor’s note: See ”Looking Back: 1887, Paso Robles hot springs have ‘unexcelled curative properties,’ cure numerous diseases,” for a list of diseases claimed to be cured by the hot springs.
In other news of the day
The comings and goings of locals was reported in the Personal Mention column on page 4:
“A report got started around the streets that Walter Lovegren had succumbed to the influenza. We have it on excellent authority that while Walter did have the flu, he has recovered and will soon be as well as ever.”
“Born in Adelaida to the wife of J.T. Frazier, Jan. 20th, a son, Richard Wilson.”
“John Hardie of Paso Robles spent Saturday at his ranch in the Adelaida section.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Melgard have taken rooms at the Glass apartments.”
Click here to read all the news on Page 4 and find out what your grandparents and great-grandparents were up to in January 1919.
Read previous Looking Back articles
- Looking Back: Will Start Census Work
- Looking Back: Local Post Office Finishes Greatest Year In History
- Looking Back: Snow and Rain Lash District
- Looking Back: Two Little Girls with Very Generous Hearts
- Looking Back: Who remembers Alley Oop?
This “Looking Back” view at Paso Robles history comes from one of the hundreds of local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. Several local newspapers, dating from the 1800s, have reported on local, national and world events, providing priceless historical views of our community that are not available from any other source. The Historical Society is seeking community support for the multi-phased Newspaper Preservation Project to help fund the transfer of these aged and fragile pages to microfilm and digital images.
Photography of the old newspapers is by Gigi Greene. News for this column is selected with the assistance of the society’s Vice President Nancy Tweedie and Research Director Jan Cannon.
The Paso Robles Historical Society is located in the Paso Robles History Museum at 800 12th Street in the Downtown City Park. Visit the Paso Robles Historical Society website for more information about exhibits, research, becoming a member, volunteering or donating.
The Paso Robles Daily News is pleased to support this important project. Watch this space for future “Looking Back” articles.
The museum has been closed due to COVID-19, but the society is planning a grand opening around the middle of April. In the meantime, those interested in historical research can make an appointment by visiting the website’s Research page or by calling (805) 238-4996
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