Century-old newspapers donated to historical society

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Enterprise newspapers dating from March 1913 and July 1914 were donated to the Fallbrook Historical Society by the Angel Society of Fallbrook.

Originally recovered by the San Diego Rescue Mission, the newspapers were turned over to the Angel Society by Art De Guzman, director of warehouse and retail operations at the mission. The newspapers were then delivered to the historical society’s museum in Fallbrook.

Currently housed in the museum’s media room, where other issues on microfilm are also stored, the historical pages are protected in clear, plastic sleeves. “People will be able to handle these,” said Sherri Lenfers, historian.

The pages offer a fascinating glimpse of the era, when newspapers were “typeset by hand, rolled and printed,” Lenfers explained. Headlines proclaim the news of the day, including one brief announcement about an annual Fourth of July picnic.

“Young ladies will serve you with the following menu: Baked beans, salad, sandwiches, cake, pie, pickles, iced tea, coffee, soda pop, ice cream. Come and have a good time.”

There is also a “telephone office” advertisement: “Open daily from 7 a.m. to 12 and 1 to 8, Sundays and holidays excluded.”

Other ads peddle “Quality Beer,” “House Dresses” for $1.50, Lydia Pinkham’s “geritol for women,” ice cream “fre’zrs” at the Fallbrook Hardware Company, and the schedule for the Fallbrook-Oceanside stagecoach line.

Visitors can further explore the newspapers at the Fallbrook Historical Society Museum, located at 1120 S. Hill Street, (corner of Rocky Crest and S. Hill). Hours are 1 to 4 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays. For more information, call (760) 723-4125 or visit http://www.fallbrookhistoricalsociety.com.