‘Del Norte Bites—A Second Helping' tells unique tales

Visitors and natives alike are intrigued by stories of how things used to be in Crescent City and surrounding Del Norte County. How things used to be is the source material for Beverly Spitzner and Barbara Clausen's book, "Del Norte Bites—A Second Helping." Following up an earlier work, "Del Norte Bites—History & Recipes," here are more stories from the beginnings of the area. In this second book, long-time residents provide additional reminiscences about things gone by and other things still present.

Many of the residents interviewed for this oral history trace their heritage in this area back to the middle of the 19th century. Indeed, Mary Jo McGilvary Duncan reported her great-great-grandfather's arrival in Del Norte County in the 1850's. He was P. H. Peveler and he ultimately he served 28 years as the second Del Norte County Clerk.

Fran Short is another native whose story is recorded here. Her well-established family arrived in Crescent City in 1860. Her grandfather, Frank Pruneius had the first butcher shop in town. In Fran's narrative, she recalls the many saloons that used to be in town. On one occasion, she walked down the street with her mother and the Methodist minister as a drunk fell out of a saloon. It was apparent that the man was badly hurt. So the minister picked him up, carried him back into the saloon and laid him on the bar where he died. The minister's congregation shortly thereafter fired him—there was no acceptable excuse for his entering a saloon.

The anthology includes not only people but also things and places, which make Del Norte unique. Included are the Curly Redwood Motel, Citizens Dock and Glen's Bakery.

The Curly Redwood Motel reportedly is constructed of redwood obtained from a single redwood tree, which yielded 57,000 feet of lumber. The story of Citizens Dock is one of extreme volunteerism; volunteer builders from throughout the area were volunteering Saturdays and off hours to construct the dock according to the plans of the building committee.

The tidal wave of 1964 receives it's share of attention and it's recalled that Glen Young left dough on a rolling bench 4 feet wide and 8 feet long in Glen's Bakery. The morning after the wave, the bench was found tossed against the oven with the dough still on it; everything was ruined, of course.

Learning as young readers to read books with pictures spoils one for the reading of books that have no pictures. This little book is made complete by a generous supply of photos. We see a formal portrait of sisters, Nelda Sarina and Amelia McNamara, who as children were dressed at the turn of the 20th century.

Other illustrations include snapshots of Planting Lily Bulbs (1946), Pebble Beach, a July Fourth Celebration in Beach Front Park (1971), and the widely recognized Battery Point Lighthouse as it was in 1946.

This oral history is an altogether delightful little paperback. Local authors have brought together the stories of many who are still residents and neighbors in the Crescent City area. It can be read enjoyably in small segments or in one pleasurable sitting as time permits.