Looking Back to 1935: Big names featured at rodeo, 72 graduate high school

Posted: 6:25 am, June 20, 2024 by Reporter Jackie Iddings

This look back at Paso Robles history comes from local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. News for this column is selected with the assistance of Research Director Jan Cannon. Newspaper photography by GiGi Green.

Excerpts from the Thursday, June 13, 1935, Paso Robles Advertiser

Big names to be featured at Paso Robles Rodeo

Delores Stillman, of Hollywood, present woman’s world champion steer roper and trick rider, will be among the famous rodeo stars to compete in the prize contests of the First Annual Paso Robles Rodeo, to be held here on July 13 and 14, it was announced by promoter Walter Davis this week. Miss Stillman will also present her repertoire of exhibition stunts, trick riding, etc., in which events she has no peer.

At the present time she is visiting at the home of her brother Charles Stillman, in San Luis Obispo, having recently returned from a tour of the Hawaiian Islands. She has collected several first prizes already this year in California contests.

Charles Stillman, is himself a famous rodeo clown, as well as being an excellent rider and roper. His trick performing donkey has been the high point of many a rodeo and circus exhibition. He has been signed to appear at the Paso Robles event both days.

Another outstanding arena star, Raymond Hill, of whom it is said “he can make a rope do anything but talk and eat,” has been engaged to perform on the grounds both Saturday and Sunday during the event.

The Rodeo Queen contest, announced last week, is expected to be started in the very near future. Names of contestants and full details of this preliminary feature, will be given later.

Click here to read the full front page.

Seventy-two will finish high school Tuesday night

Largest class in thirty-nine years will get diplomas

Commencement exercises for the class of 1935, with a total membership of 72 students, will be held at the high school auditorium Tuesday evening, June 18, at 8 p.m.

Final activities of the school will feature award night Friday; Baccalaureate services Sunday, and class night Monday evening, June 17.

Highest honors were taken by three girls from the class of 1935. Winifred Kitchen will be Valedictorian, and together with Phylis Claassen and Mary Merrill, will receive life memberships in the California Scholastic Federation. Seven semester grades of 1’s are necessary to qualify for this honor. Each of the three named have maintained that average for the full eight semesters of high school.

Click here to read the names of the graduates.

NHA drive discloses $33,875 of construction

Large amount of work done in community

Local N.H.A. headquarters announced here Tuesday, that since the first phase of their Better Housing campaign closed last month, and the second was begun, an excess of $33,875 of rehabilitation work has been completed, or is still in process in this area. It was further shown that more than $15,790 worth of new construction, remodeling, etc., has been planned here within the very near future.

These figures are in addition to those released last month, covering phase 1 of the campaign, during which there was over $50,000 expended in labor and material throughout the community.

A thirty thousand dollar project is under construction at the present time at the Atascadero schools, which accounts for a large part of the current expenditures; and considerable remodeling of business properties and some construction of new homes in Paso Robles during recent weeks, has swelled the total, Supervisor E.E. Drake said.

It was declared that a number of loans are being put through at the present time, which will enable still more work of this type to be done, and the announcement earlier this week of the increase from $2000 to $50,000 of unsecured loans available under Title I of the NHA, should serve to add even further to the amount of reconstruction work on business properties.

Editorial note: The National Housing Act (NHA) was a key part of the New Deal, the series of federal programs to restore the U.S. economy in the 1930s. The Act promoted home ownership, improved housing conditions, made mortgages more accessible and affordable, and reduced the foreclosure rate on homes during the Great Depression.

Read previous Looking Back articles

Thank you to the sponsors of Looking Back

Paso Robles Pioneer Museum – Come take a real look back into local Paso Robles history. Open Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2010 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, CA 93446, www.pasoroblespioneermuseum.org (805) 239-4556.

Estrella Warbird Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia. Woodland Auto Display is also open. Hours: Thursday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, ewarbirds.org, (805) 227-0440.

Creative Concrete & Design delivers the highest level of professional concrete work. Operating in San Luis Obispo County since 2002, Karl Rush brings 35 years of concrete experience to every job and will ensure that you receive the very best quality work. Over the years they have completed a great many works on residential homes. They are very creative and willing to explore options for your next project. Concrete projects have many factors to consider to bring your vision to life. creativeconcreteanddesign.com, (805) 896-1384.

Golden Anchor Financial Services is committed to helping you find the right mortgage product for your needs. They understand that every borrower is different, and offer a variety of products to meet individual requirements. They make the process of securing a mortgage simple and straightforward by offering you the latest in financial tools that enable you to make sound financial choices. Call them at (805) 473-7733 on the Central Coast or (559) 473-7733 in the Central Valley.

1800 El Pomar is the site of a historic Templeton ranch located just three miles east of town. The property features an iconic, aged redwood barn, 3-story tank house, original farmhouse with an outdoor garden, original water tank structures, and many other original ranch buildings. Set on 20+ acres of vineyards, the 360-degree views of rolling oak-studded hills and surrounding vines are a photographer’s dream. A prime ceremony location exists in the vineyards behind the barn between two beautiful oaks. The northwest-facing location creates plenty of shade for your guests in an early to late afternoon setting. A perfect venue with plenty of open space to customize your wedding or event. www.1800elpomar.com.