Looking Back to 1936: Rural fire losses reported, school opens Sept. 10
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, August 6, 1936, Paso Robles Advertiser
Rural fire loss mounts in district
Third fire this season hits Estrella Ranch, truck burns
State and county firefighting equipment stationed at Paso Robles was called to the Al Birmingham ranch near Whitley Gardens, shortly after noon Monday to prevent the spread of flames from a burning grain truck.
According to reports, the truck, piled with 62 sacks of harvested wheat, caught fire from defective ignition wiring, at about 1:45 p.m. The truck and its entire load were totally destroyed. Although it was in almost the center of a large stubble field, flames were confined to an area of not more than 60 feet around the truck.
Estrella ranch fire
A fire of unknown origin broke out in the section of the Estrella ranch farmed by Ed Borchert about 5:30 Sunday morning, burning over 15 acres of stubble and five acres of pasture land. Also destroyed were 120 sacks of grain which had not been removed from the field.
Although the exact cause of the blaze could not be determined, according to Fire Warden Ramon Barba, it is believed possible that it might have been caused by careless deer hunters passing through the field. The area is close to the Monterey County line, he pointed out and is often used as a means of access to good hunting territory.
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Barn destroyed by evening fire
The large barn and 30 tons of hay at the Ascuncion Ranch, one mile south of Templeton, were totally destroyed by fire early Tuesday evening. The blaze was reported here about 8 o’clock, and both county and state crews rushed to the scene but were unable to do more than prevent the spread of flames to other nearby ranch buildings.
The origin of the fire could not be determined. The Ascunscion Ranch is owned by Fred Bassi of Templeton, who has operated it as a dairy ranch for a number of years.
Two grass fires near Atascadero earlier Tuesday burned over 80 acres of grass according to State Fire Warden Ramon Barba. The first which occurred shortly after 2 p.m. destroyed a 60-acre tract, and the truck was called to the colony city a second time about 5:30 p.m. when a 20-acre field caught fire.
A small grass fire at the Osborne ranch, near the Paso Robles Airport, was brought under control by State Forestry Department equipment shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Schools will open here on September 10
During the annual meeting of the board of trustees of the Paso Robles Elementary and High School Tuesday evening, attorney Ray B. Lyon and Mrs. Hildegarde Steaffens were each unanimously reelected to succeed themselves as president and secretary of the two boards which meet successively on the first Tuesday of every month.
There being no protests, the 196-37 preliminary budgets for both school districts were adopted as final.
Thursday, September 10, was set as the opening day for the fall term in all Paso Robles schools. The opening time for the Shandon High School will be determined later, depending upon harvest conditions.
The board elected Miss Barbara Hendrick to succeed Miss Muriel Willett, who resigned to accept a position as councilor in the Richmond High School. Miss Hendrick is a graduate of Stanford and has been very highly recommended. She will teach freshman social science and a general mathematics class.
I.R. Cammack was awarded the contract for painting the four rooms of the west wing and two halls at the high school. Work will be started there this week. It was reported that construction of the additions to the Shandon branch high school will be commenced August 10.
The board has been informed that an allotment of $11595 from state and federal funds has been granted to the Paso Robles High School for 1936-37 for the purpose of carrying on vocational education courses under the Smith-Hughes plan. The sum is in effect, a reimbursement of the cost of maintaining these courses during the past season.
Read previous Looking Back articles
- Looking Back to July 1930: Burglars blow big steel safe at Mercantile
- Looking Back to 1940: Youthful 14-year-old charged with murder
- Looking Back to 1956: Meeting sets fair plans, Monterey Co. agrees to Nacimiento roads
- Looking Back to 1940: Young girl found beaten to death at Descanso school
- Looking Back to 1950: Water expansion banned, local has Grand Canyon adventure
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.
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