Natural Siblings – El Cerrito and Richmond Annex (Speaker Says in 1949)

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 28, 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:

City, Annex Progress Lauded
By Richmond Councilman

Dr. A.H. Hinkley, a Richmond City Councilman, told the weekly luncheon of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce that much can be gained by increasing cooperation between the Richmond Annex and El Cerrito. He said the two communities grew up together and have much in common socially and psychologically.

"The people of the Richmond Annex represent the newer part of Richmond," he said, "and as such must be called upon to take an active lead in the affairs of community government. It has been the residents of the Richmond Annex who have demonstrated their faith in the future of Richmond, and the general area, through increased investments in homes and business. This faith is local intercity cooperation stands as functional testimony to better understanding between the people and heir city governments, so that Richmond and El Cerrito may continue to forge forward with this principle kept firmly fixed in our minds. Free government is not costly if you and I expend real effort in keeping it free."

Mechanics Bank Reports
On Business Barometer

There's no sign of a low pressure zone in El Cerrito's business climate, according to a report from Mechanics Bank of Richmond, which has branches in El Cerrito and Albany. The bank said the number of customers using its unique bank-by-mail service grew 20 percent in the first quarter of this year, and that increasing numbers of people are taking advantage of its building and auto loan offerings, as well as its free parking lot in El Cerrito. 

Council Grants
Bus Franchise
To Key System

The El Cerrito City Council agreed to grant a franchise to the Key System, which includes requiring the company to provide bus service and pay the city for the wear on city streets. The service is pay two percent of gross receipts on a semi-annual basis. The payment is based also on a mileage minimum.

3 Local Hi Students
To Attend Conference

Three journalism students from El Cerrito High School who submitted entries in Northern California Press Club contest will attend the San Francisco Press Club conference on April 30. Station KPIX will televise the awards presentation after the Press Club Junior Gang luncheon. Representing the high school and the student publication, "El Caballero," are co-editor Tom Holler, who entered a feature story, co-editor Duey Hammar, who submitted a news story, and Doug Dempster, who offered a radio news broadcast. 

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.