Years ago, newspapers published newspaper headlines from “50 years ago, 40 years ago, 30 years ago,” etc. Mentone Matters recently received newspapers dated in 1941 and 1942 and thought readers might be interested in what Mr. Reynolds published just about 82 years ago.
The March 5, 1942, (Vol. IV, No. 4) edition of The Mentone News carried these front-page headlines: “Mentone Boys to be Found In Various Branches of the United States Armed Forces; Community Aiding in National War Effort; Scores Also at Work On Defense Projects Throughout West.” Other headlines were “Blackouts have Serious Effect On Egg Production,” “Program for March C. of C. Meeting Monday Announced,” “Army Hospital Site At Mentone Still Being Considered.” It is clear from the articles what was on people’s minds in those days just three months after the U.S. declared war based on the December 7 Pearl Harbor attack and began its nearly-four-year involvement in World War II.
The “Boys” were approximately 20 young men, plus already-ranking veterans and military retirees who were called back into service. The article concluded that “In addition to the boys in the armed forces, many projects are being carried on by the home folks to aid the national war effort, and scores from Mentone are engaged in defense projects throughout the west.”
The article reported that blackouts in poultry houses – the enforced non-use of early morning lights to lengthen laying times – were claimed responsible for decreased egg production, while, the U.S. Government was asking for increased production. Blackouts were also claimed to cause moults. Some poultrymen equipped their henhouses so they could continue to use lights.
The “C. of C.” program was slated to provide information about what to do after the war, including how to deal with incendiary bombs!
The army hospital site being considered was 1,000 acres north and east of Crafton avenue. According to the article, the land was just then “being bought by the City of Redlands from the East Lugonia Water Co.”
Also, “Mentone Woman’s Club Held Business Session.” The Mentone’s Woman’s Club members were also invited to visit the Greenspot Woman’s Club, according to another article. Apparently, Mentone was even more active back then! Other headlines reported a new house being built at 1261 Olivine for a couple who moved to Redlands in 1898, a handkerchief shower for a lady who spent the winter in Mentone and was going home to Nebraska, that the Mill Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce was petitioning the U.S. Forest Service to open the San Gorgonio primitive area to winter sports, and various severe injuries or deaths of residents.
Because of the newspapers’ fragility, Mentone Matters keeps them in clear plastic sleeves so only the front and back pages are completely visible. The back page contains ads, including “Wirth’s Mentone Inn”;
Because of the newspapers’ fragility, Mentone Matters keeps them in clear plastic sleeves so only the front and back pages are completely visible. The back page contains ads, including “Wirth’s Mentone Inn”; the property was later owned by the Millers and is enclosed in the the Mill Creek Cattle Company and Diamond Jim’s Saloon., owned now by the Millers’ daughter and son-in-law, Maribeth and Jim Lotito, said Jim Lotito. For a photo of Wirth’s Mentone Inn, see https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=mentone%27s%20gazebo%20gazette.
The Chamber of Commerce’s ad invited “Come to Mentone, the Fastest Growing Community in the County.” According to the ad, the Chamber of Commerce was housed at 1822 Mentone Blvd., now a private residence. An additional ad for Standard Oil Products, “corner Turquoise and Mentone Blvd.,” and an ad for The Harris Company department store promised S&H Green Stamps. Notably, some other ads don’t provide an address! Classified ads included several poultry producers selling chicks and turkey poults.
Have you seen our sign on the Blvd., next to the Chamber’s billboard and Hovey Tile? MM