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Tim Tucker (1965)

This may or may not have been a topic of conversation before on this forum. Does anyone else remember the underground passage that ran from, I think College Street, and east to at least 2nd street ? It was directly under the sidewalk  on the north side of Main Street. I remember there were grates in the sidewalk that provided just enough daylight to find your way around. I recall you could actually enter a basement type area under Leitholds (At it's last location on Main.) and it went possibly as far as the Opera House.

Bernard Rocksvold (1965)

Gary,

I remember your mom when she worked at Marvin Landplane. I thought she was the prettiest, nicest lady on the planet back then.

I think Bessie Burns worked the counter at Lietholds also. She may have been the supervisor. Her husband was Laird Burns who worked with my dad at Marvin Landplane.

Bernard Rocksvold (1965)

I remember those passageways Tim. They gave access to the basements of businesses. There were a few places with flat steel doors in the sidewalk that allowed an elevator to raise to sidewalk level. Those and the old trolley tracks in the street would really raise hell with the front tires of a bicycle loaded down with newspapers.

Charles "Chuck" Page (1968)

Wow, flashbacks. I also was delivery boy for Lietholds..but at the later location. I think it was a different owner....but I vividly remember the grease trap under the soda fountain.  That was the worst,  stinkiest job I ever had. I loved bombing around town in a little vw bug, the tranny so worn that I didn't need to clutch to shift. Just rev it up and slam it in gear. Loved making my own cherry cokes. Loved the porno mags that they used as wrapping for the regular mags. Also had a little side business of buying pints of booze for resale at whs. I was 16, 17...so 1966, 67. I could ring up booze at cash register, nobody noticed.  Thank you for sharing your photo and story. Even with the grease trap it was one of my favorite gigs. Got to know the alcoholics who needed their fix, but couldn't drive, also cigarettes and of course pills. A couple of those girls look a bit familiar....any names

Gail Smith (Maxwell) (1964)

The faces look so familiar in the soda fountain picture but I can't quite put a name with the faces (getting old is the pits).  The only one I know for sure is Doug Brown, second from the left in the back.  Can someone name them???

Ron Blickle (1963)

In that Leithold Picture in the Ilex, the people in the back row are Kathy Griffith (daughter of the owner), Nancy Ele, Jo Ann Longee, Doug Brown & Tom Lunt.  In the front row is Eileen Roach, Patty Huerta, Margorie Cassel,  (possibly) Karen Morelli & Pam Barrow.  Like Stan's Men's Store, Corner Drug and others, many of us had our first jobs working after school, holidays and summers.  I was lucky to have inside jobs, but many worked outside during the hot summers.  I am sure many of us also delivered newspapers or mowed lawns, but almost everyone had a job while in school.  I had a Sacramento Bee Route when they were an afternoon paper; then I worked as a draftsman for Bob Crippen, the local architect; obviously, Lietholds; Stan's Men's Store; and finally as a draftsman at Woodland Mill Supply, owned by Fred Jost.  While at Woodland Mill Supply, we were designing and building the new rice mill at Pacific International Rice Mills, Inc (PIRMI).  One summer, it was my job to supervise the layout on the three floors for all of the machinery to be installed later.  We were trying to secure the bolts in the concrete so the machinery could be dropped onto the bolts and secured.  I was a Sophmore at Cal Poly, but just a young guy who was trying to work with the older guys on the construction crew.  We got it done, but it took all of my charms to get the cooperation of that senior crew.  Those years and jobs set up the foundation for many of us to enter the work world knowing what it was to work.  I just don't see the kids getting those opportunities today.  No wonder it is so hard to get service from the companies of today!

Tom Stewart (1969)

WOW, so many memories.  Our class was younger than most of you who post here.  I had my first paid job as a paperboy for the Democrat, then for the Sacramento Bee.  I believe the Ardens managed the Bee and they had a son named Allen.  They lived on Lincoln St I believe.

I eventually got a job at Safeway and worked with Ralph Somero and Benji Argumento (spelling???).  Benji had an awesome '67 Camaro with a full racing clutch and he would let us borrow it at times.  If we had to stop at lights for very long our leg would begin to spasm from holding in the clutch.  I eventually got a '69 Firebird which as pretty fast and everyone would go out south of town to what we called "the quarter mile" to drag race.  There was one guy who lived near City Park who had a rather ugly Plymouth with a 426? or something that was really fast.

I left Safeway and worked for Bill Nardinelli at Kentucky Market. I also played baseball with Clark and Bruce Nardinelli. I really liked that job and he trusted me to open and/or close the shop.  For a while Joe Rudy had his butcher shop in the back.  At the time his nephew also named Joe Rudy played for the world champion Oakland As.  Eventually that store was bought by Fred Gordon who had previously owned Cache Creek Market.  I used to ride my bike out to Cache Creek and hunt rabbits with Mike Gordon.  That is about 5 lifetimes ago.

Picture:  The Sugar Champs Babe Ruth Team

Tom Stewart (1969)

Joe DiMaggio, center, one of the greatest players in baseball history, shakes hands with W.G. Bowen, the Babe Ruth international director, in August 1964 in the stands at Clark Field in Woodland. DiMaggio was the guest of honor as the Babe Ruth World Series was played at Clark, 30 years after the Yankee Clipper roamed the same outfield during a doubleheader while playing with the San Francisco Seals.

Tom Stewart (1969)

Clark Field and its storied baseball past

By Bruce Gallaudet

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series on the life and renovation of Woodland’s historic Clark Field.

WOODLAND — It has always been a community that’s honored its heritage.

From the breathtaking Victorian homes on College Street to the Opera House …

From Beamer’s Woodland Park and its estates to the Hotel Woodland and the Gibson House …

History is respected in Woodland, which, from the 1850s, has been considered one of the richest crop-growing regions in America.

And among the town’s most storied facilities is old Clark Field.

A neighborhood baseball facility that has played host to the great Joe DiMaggio and more than a dozen other players who are enshrined in Cooperstown, the 81-year-old stadium on Beamer Street is in the middle of a facelift.

Phase one — outfield fences, a terrific natural playing surface, new sprinklers and a handful of cosmetic touches — is complete. As the Clark Field Restoration Project goes forward, new flagpoles, storage and coaches’ meeting facilities are being rehabilitated.

New bleachers and the backstop are on the agenda. Restored snack and press facilities also are being planned.

A look back in time gives one an understanding of why the renovation of Clark Field is so important to so many.

Larry Martinez, a 1966 graduate of Woodland High who has played many games at the old diamond, has become the facility’s ranking historian.

He shared his knowledge with The Davis Enterprise …

For years, baseball was played at old, 400-seat Beamer Park, but when the site was condemned in the late 1920s so Beamer School could be constructed, baseball was briefly in limbo, Martinez says.

Charles Clark, who was the president of the Sacramento Valley League, saw an opportunity, bought land off Beamer Street and worked with Motroni Construction to build a 1,400-seat, covered ballpark that became known as Clark Field, Martinez adds.

Clark gained entry to the SVL with his club, known as the Woodland Oaks.

Opening day was April 27, 1930. The Oaks won, 4-2. Don Traynham hit the first home run at Clark Field — a two-run shot that not only was the difference in the game, but brought him “fabulous gifts” from merchants throughout Woodland.

According to one newspaper account, Traynham received two season passes to the National Theater, $5 cash from Herb Murphy, $7.50 from the Bank Exchange, a pair of baseball shoes from Cranston Brothers and a $10 radio order from Wallace Huston.

Into the 1940s, in many incarnations for different teams, first baseman Traynham would hit many circuit clouts at Clark Field — most colorfully covered in The Daily Democrat. Ironically, it was Traynham’s son, Gary, who would continue his father’s legacy by belting out home runs on his typewriter for more than five decades writing sports for The Democrat.

Throughout its early history, Clark Field teetered on bankruptcy. Clark himself left when an $849.99 debt to Motroni and former property owners Charles and Alma Robinson was too much.

Even though Pacific Coast League teams like the Seattle Indians and San Francisco Mission Reds loved Clark Field and accommodations at the Hotel Woodland, the ownership of the facility was subject to debate for more than five years.

While the collection of debt and who would run the Oaks or take control of the park were in limbo, a handful of future Hall of Famers came to town.

In 1931, the Detroit Tigers — with the great Charlie Gerhinger — played twice against Seattle.

In 1932, the Pittsburgh Pirates played an exhibition game with the Mission Reds. The Bucs came loaded. On their roster were infielders Arky Vaughn and Pie Traynor. Roaming the outfield were Paul and Lloyd Waner — Big and Little Poison, as they were known.

All four eventually made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Two weeks later, when the Reds met the New York Giants at Clark Field, it was another embarrassment of riches for the local fans.

In the ballpark were Carl Hubbell, Mel Ott, Waite Hoyt and Bill Terry. Yep, all in the Hall of Fame.

As the tug-of-war continued over operating Clark Field, according to The Daily Democrat, the park continued to fill to capacity for spring training games.

In 1934, “playing right field for the San Francisco Seals in a weekend doubleheader against the Missions was Joe DiMaggio,” Martinez says. “Joe had set a record 61-consecutive-game hitting streak the previous season.”

Thirty years later, DiMaggio would return to Clark Field as a guest of honor during the opening of the Babe Ruth World Series.

In the mid-1930s, American Legion Post 77 came to the rescue. In a role that pulled Clark Field from demolition, the local Legionnaires took over operation of the park. Currently owned by the city of Woodland, Clark Field owes its existence to the American Legion — which still plays a dominant role keeping the Old Girl singing.

Over the years, Babe Ruth teams, Woodland High School, the Woodland-Davis Men’s Baseball League and Post 77 have used the busy facility.

Names from the past like major-leaguers Rich Chiles and Ron Bryant, Dustin Pedroia and Steve Brown jump out of the old box scores.

Folks like Motroni, former Woodland Mayor H.I. Bobb, Dick Klenhard, Gil Garcia, the Traynhams and now Larry Hoppin, Martinez and Frank Eakle have worked diligently over the years to keep Clark Field open, stocked with good players and pointed to the future.

Who really knows what the future will hold for the facility at Grand Avenue and Beamer Street?

All that’s certain is that there are enough old and new friends floating around so that the oldest, continually operating neighborhood ballpark in California will never be alone.

Carol Dunton (Stone) (1968)

This is kind of off the wall but I’m wondering if any of you ‘historians’ might have a picture of the sign that stood tall (well it seemed tall when we were small) at the corner of West Street and Main.  It was lit up and it flashed “Dunton Motel” “ Sleep Off Highway”    I’m not sure when it went up but it was definitely there in my childhood and I was born in ‘50.    I know it was up long before then   I have the sign that actually stood in front of the Dunton Motel because that was built by my grandfather; however, I have no record of the large, tall flashing sign on the corner. I would love to see pictures if anyone has them.   

Gary Wegener (Wegener) (1966)

At the Burger Saloon (1st? and Main), one of the waiters showed us a bricked in entryway to an underground passage from their basement to the basement of the court house.  Said court house staff/attorneys used to slip over to 'relax' with the libations and friendly staff at what was an old saloon/boarding house at the Burger Saloon site. 

Donald Urain (1964)

I have a memory for you.When I was a kid they were tearing down the old legion hall National guard Armory and built the new armory on Beamer and the now standing Legion hall.I was with my dad and a few others and they were tearing down the back stairway in the alley. They pulled a couple bourds off and someone yelled out STOP and we were all in shock when we found slot machines hidden in the staircase, We pulled them out and cleaned them up and they worked great. after several trips to the Stag for change and beer I beleive One guy said o.k. we will only play an hour then hide them. We all agreed that would work until someone hit a jackpot and the plan changed. I think we were there 5 or 6 hours, went home for dinner and my dad went back.and met all the guys again. I wonder where those machines went?

Bernard Rocksvold (1965)

Don,

I'm trying to remember how old I was when a nickle slot machine turned up in my fathers workshop. I know there was something wrong with it and he fixed it. We played that slot machine for quite a few years. I have no idea where it came from or where it went.

Gary Wegener (Wegener) (1966)

Tom, Ron, interesting to think about the "then" and "now" of jobs during high school.  I worked at the Toy Cabin and later at Tim's (the old Brownie) on the south side of the high school.  My dad's concept of keeping us out of trouble was get us an old car but make us pay the gas, insurance and repairs.  With the economy the way it is now, I would be surprised if teenagers are in the workforce they way it was back then.  Too bad; a lot of lessons learned for those experiences.  Just checked; GDP during the 60s was twice what it has been in the 2010's.  Sure did seem like things were a whole lot better back then.

Katy Pye (1969)

Hi everyone,

I've been enjoying all the memories lately. Thanks for posting.

For decades I've researched my family's history, first with my uncle who was the storyteller and had terrific recall for names and details. What started simply enough as a way to make him happy as a sounding board has turned into an ongoing treasure hunt. I'm so glad he shared with me what he experienced and knew, as he's gone now and all that would have been lost.

All this is to say that the memories you are sharing are precious and have great value beyond this group. Of course, they are important to you and to your families, but they are also a tremendous gift to the larger community. I can't tell you how exciting it is to walk into a library or historical society and find even a signature of an ancestor I'm hunting up to say nothing of finding recollections in their own words. 

If it interests you, I hope you'll consider compiling your life memories (of any amount) and giving them to your family and to the Yolo County Historical Society. I wish I could say we're getting younger but . . .

Again, thank you for sharing.

Best,

Katy

Joel Childers (1966)

My Dad was one time commander of American Legion Post 77. When they tore down the old legion hall, we made off with a bumper pool table that for years we played in our basement. My mother was the last of the family to move out of the house and left the pool table in the basement. For all I know, it's still there.

Speaking of Clark Field, The American Legion had a baseball league that played games there. Maybe some of you played in it. I remember Dad umpiring one game where he called the batter out on a third strike and it seemed like the entire crowd booed him. That kind of shocked me as a little kid. Oh well. That's umpiring for you.

Having spare bedrooms in our big old house on 3rd Street, we hosted three young baseballers from Ohio who were there for the Babe Ruth world series.

My brother Brian and I are going to hell. (Say, what?) My mother would give us 10 or 15 cents to put in the collection plate at Methodist church. When the plate came around, we would pretend to put the money in the plate. After church we would go to Leithold Drugstore through the back door and buy ourselves candy or a soda with that money. They say confession is good for the soul. I hope this post is enough to satisfy Saint Peter.

Thanks to those who post stuff here that jog our collective memories. I especially love the old pictures

Gail Smith (Maxwell) (1964)

Thanks Ron, for identifying the people in the picture.  I do remember Kathy Griffith, Nancy Ele, Jo Ann Longee, Doug Brown, Eileen Roach, and Patty Huerta.  The other few not so much.  Some of my favorite memories are from that soda fountain drinking cherry and chocolate cokes with friends after school.

Armand Jaques

I was so fortunate to be born and grow up, work and live in Woodland.  It is to bad we do not appreciate how lucky we are and were until we see it in retrospect.  The photo above is a picture of my Grandmother at her bar in Woodland (The Water Trough) that was located a few doors west of the Savory restaurant on Main Street.  I would go there from elementary school until my parents go off work.  This establishment provided many intriguing stories.  One of my favorites is as follows:  The Tamale Parlor was just to the west.  Mrs. Paul the owner wanted to get a beer and wine license but the availability just after WWII was extremely limited.  Solution: since a common wall was shared, a hole was created – tamales etc passed one way and beer and wine the other.  I am not sure how this would go with business practices today.  Thank you for all the memories posted.

Gary Tibbals (1965)

I was working at the Woodland hotal in 1964 when Mrs. Babe Ruth came in for the little league, Champainship games. She passed out base balls with Babe Ruths signatures. that was, some special week.

Greg Kareofelas (1962)

Hi Armand

Nice picture, But, do you happen to have a picture of the "3 Jays" market? I can remember the picture on the front, but, even though we must have come in there a hundred times, we never took a pic 

Bernard Rocksvold (1965)

I also frequented the 3J market. Redeeming soda bottles and trying to get enough monry for candy.Sometimes Armand's mother would help out if we were a little short of cash. Very smart of her..... kept us from stealing. And she would talk to us if there were no other customers

Marilyn Millsap (Thompson) (1961)

I have lived most of my life in Woodland and, for ten years, was the archivist at the Yolo County Archives.  I have loved reading all of the postings about life in Woodland in the early days.  I think it would be a great project to compile all these memories into either separate oral histories or into one volume of "Woodland memories."  It would require some organization and leadership but I'm sure there is someone out there who could do it.  The final product should be given, not to the historical society but to the county archives.  The historical society does not have a facility to keep this type of thing or to allow access to it but the archives definitely does.  They already have a Japanese oral history archive and I believe might be working on another such project.  We are all getting on in years, (this week I turn 76(!), and our memories are fading.  These memories will be lost and we are now the old-timers who need to write them down.  Contact Heather at the archives and get her cooperation and expertise.  666-8010.

Katy Pye (1969)

Thanks, Marilyn. Great suggestion to gift to the Archives. I hope something will come of the idea. Maybe collecting stories in some way at the next collective reunion, if not before. 

Tom Stewart (1969)

I think I spent half my childhood at 3j market.  Wasn't the woman's name "Nellie" who ran the shop.  Sid's barber shop was right next door and that is who cut our hair for years.  Sid and Frank I think.

Joel Childers (1966)

In fact, we always called it "Nellie's" rather than "3 Jay Market". For a small store, it pretty much had the market for northeast Woodland. We shopped at The Nugget Market, but Mom would always be sending us to "Nellie's" if she ran out of something.