Princeton by the Sea

was “the” place to go when booze was illegal in the 1920s and early 1930s. The Patroni House was torn down in the 1950s. It’s now the location of the popular “Brewery.”

The Sacramento Daily Union reports, “The steamer ‘Pioneer,’ formerly used as a tow-boat on the river, having lost her occupation that line, yesterday went into the grain trade, having as a tender the barge ‘Mary Ellen,’ and will run between Princeton and San Francisco. Captain Lind is in command.”

headland of Pillar Point, the northern part of the crescent that gives to Halfmoon Bay its name, is the only location that should be considered for the purpose of the new life-saving station.

“This was the site of the old whaling station that flourished years ago, and it provides an excellent lookout. In fact, a view of the sea north and south from this promontory is best obtainable for a distance of thirty miles.”

Burt and I went to lunch at Mezza Luna today and the waiter told us that the very special “specials” had been prepared by guest chef Gabriele Carlesso–Gabriele, who owns the Trattoria Tre Fonti restaurant near Venice [Italy] is on vacation and cooking up a storm at our very own Mezza Luna Restaurant [located in the historic Princeton Inn]

(Photo: Chef Gabriele).

We ordered the Veal Scallapino.

To visit Mezza Luna, click here

DEAR JUNE

I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS HERE IN MISSOURI(FROM SAN BRUNO) AND TOLD HIM THAT WHEN I WON THE LOTTERY,I WAS MOVING BACK TO THE COAST,BUYING THE GIFT SHOP IN PRINCENTON HARBOR AND RECREATING “GENE’S BEER AND PIZZA”.

I GUESS WHAT TRIGGERED THIS WAS READING THE HMB REVIEW YESTERDAY AND SEEING THE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN PRINCETON.

MY NAME IS GRAY GARDNER. I MOVED TO EL GRANADA IN OCT. 1967,SPENT MY FIRST NIGHT IN GENE’S, WOKE UP WITH A TREMENDOUS HANGOVER,HEARD THE SOUND OF THE WAVES,AND KNEW I WAS HOME.

TWO OF MY FRIENDS FROM MISSOURI WERE LIVING IN THE STUDIOS BEHIND THE HARDWARE STORE. I MOVED IN AND LATER LIVED ON TOP OF THE HARDWARE STORE WHEN REX BUILT THE APARTMENTS.

MY LAST FIVE YEARS I LIVED IN THE BEACH HOUSE BELOW THE “DISTILLERY” IN MOSS BEACH.

JOE DOSHER(”MIRAMAR JOE”). IS STILL A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE–AS WELL AS DAVID AND PAT ANDREWS,WHO OWNED THE DISTILLERY.

I STILL GET BACK TO THE COAST AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR,BUT MISS THE “MINIATURE CANNERY ROW”.I WISH TODAY,THAT I HAD TAKEN MORE PICTURES OF PEOPLE AND PLACES,AND FEWER SUNSETS.

I’VE TOLD PEOPLE FOR YEARS THAT A LITTLE BIT OF “CANNERY ROW” WAS STILL ALIVE ON THE COAST WHEN I MOVED THERE,AND LASTED A LITTLE WHILE. I WONDER NOW WHERE THE POOR COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN AND COWBOYS GO TO DRINK AND FIGHT.

SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU’RE LIVING HISTORY,YOU ARE TOO MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF IT TO KNOW.I HAVE THE RAILROAD BOOK,AND “HALF MOON BAY MEMORIES’ AND PLAN TO ADD YOUE “PRINCETON-BY-THE SEA ‘ BOOK.

JUST WANTED TO SAY HI.
REGARDS-GRAY GARDNER
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS,MISSOURI

to see what it’s about, click here

…from the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

“Walter Rhode, traffic manager of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, also developed this point [see part 4 below] and presented the endorsement of his organization. Coast Guard officers withheld comment, but revealed that the air-sea rescue service now maintained at Princeton may be permanent and would be susceptible of improvement by building the breakwater.

“E.A. Holgerson, secretary of the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce, outlined the support given by other cities and communities, while Granville Browning of the Burlingame chamber predicted a huge new market for fish in increased Peninsula population in coming years.

“Speaking briefly were Supervisor Alvin Hatch and County Assessor Martin Flynn who mentioned the accrual of taxes possible to the county through the fishing industry and the unfreezing of tax lands through home development. Bert Weide of the county engineer’s office presented data and charts on erosion control.

“Among those present were civic and commercial officials of Monterey.

“……Among the afternoon speakers were John Kyne, local farmer, Frank Pavelek, Soil Conservation Service, George N. Keyston, local grain and livestockman, who had representatives from the San Mateo Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Youth Activities, all of whom gave very interesting and beneficial talks in favor of the proposal.”

…end…