#13 Dixon Tribune/Lawrence Garage/Baptist & Presbyterian Churches – 180 South First Street (275)

Dixon Tribune office in the Opera House Building on West B Street. 1890 circa. The building is built of brick, built after the 1883 fire that destroyed that block of businesses. Two ladies in long, dark skirts, white blouses. One male in suit and derby hat.

145 East A Street is the second location of The Dixon Tribune.

United Protestant Church of Dixon, California. Originally the Baptist Church. The churches united to become the Dixon Community Church in 1945. The stained-glass windows were moved to the new Community Church on East A Street in 1967. The stained-glass windows are now located in the Community Church on A Street.

Lawrence Garage featured batteries and tires. Jay Safety Lane originated in 1947, owned by Jay Lewis. Which is now the J. Lewis Family Trust Fund.

Site #13 Baptist & Presbyterian, Tribune office, bandstand

Nov 1911

The old residence of T.B. Duke, which contractor Pritchard has just moved onto the lot of J.H. Rice, is an old land mark in Dixon, and has served in several parts of town since being built in the early days of this community. At one time it stood where the office of the West Valley Lumber Co. now is, where it was used by Mr. Nye as the home for The Tribune.

1916/05/01 FOUNDER"S DAY OBSERVED BY PRESBYSTERIANS.

It was the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Church. Mrs. Sweany, whose father was one of the charter members and founders, gave a complete and most interesting history of the Church from the time of its first sermon to the present. The history of the church dates from the founding of the Congregational Church in 1869-70. It flourished for about seven years under the leadership of the Rev. George Morris, who passed to his reward two years ago. After the resignation of Mr. Morris the Church declined rapidly. In the early spring of 1878 a meeting of the congregation was held. It was decided to organize a Presbyterian Church. On looking over the records I find among the original members only one, Mrs. Merryfield, who was a Congretionalist, all the others being of the Presbyterian faith. The Church was organized on April 28, 1878, by Rev.Thomas Frazer, with a membership of 23, eighteen presenting letters from the Congregational Church, and five letters from other Presyterian church: It was a church without a home, as the building in which it was organized belonged to the Congregationalists. It stood on. A street, near where the McDermott residence now stands, and was afterwards sold to the Dixon School District for the use of a Primary Department, and was moved to where it now stands on Third Street, near the Grammar school building. Arrangements were at once made to erect a church building. The contract was given August 31, 1878, for $2,583, all money being raised by subscription except $500 which was borrowed of the Board of Church Education. The Rev. J.M.Dinsmore was the first pastor, (May Day Parade) The parade was headed by E.D. Dudley with Mrs F.F. Marshall and Mrs. Bernice Watson as aides, all mounted, followed by the Trustees Governor Johnson and the Band.

1874/11/01

Religious: The Sprig-like weather of last Sunday drew out full congregations at all the places of worship in Dixon. But still there was room for more; for, including the new Roman Catholic church now just being completed, and including the

Masonic Hall in which the Baptists worship, Dixon has church accommodations for about 1,000 persons.

New Organ: It is with much pleasure that we are enabled to announce that the old worn out parlor organ, now used by the

Baptist church, at the hall, is soon to give place to a new one, with two banks of keys and any number of stops, of the most

approved make, and elegant finish. The new instrument will cost about $1,000. The music committee having the matter in

charge, have met with sufficient encouragement, in the shape of coin subscriptions, to justify them in making the purchase

at an early day.

1875/03/01

that the building committee of the Baptist church, will at once canvass for subscriptions for funds to erect a commodious church edifice in Dixon, and also intends to erect, and equip a first-class Female Seminary, to be located here. The friends of female education in general, and every citizen of Dixon, will be pleased to learn that at last there is a good prospect for

first-class educational facilities right here in Dixon, at no very distant day. Dixon is deficient in many things to make it a desirable place of residence for families; but in nothing is it so deficient, as in high school facilities. A well conducted Seminary would do more to insure the future growth and prosperity of the town, than any other enterprise yet talked of. We know, from extended observation, that a good school, especially one devoted to female education, contributes more to the upbuilding of a town, than any other one enterprise that can be devised. We believe the committee referred to, appreciate and fully endorse our views in this matter and will set to work at once. As to the importance of the society having a church building, we need only repeat what is patent to every body who attends services at Baptist Hall, that it is a disgrace to so large and so wealthy a congregation, to longer submit to their contracted and uncomfortable place of worship; and we are glad to know that the committee are awaking to the importance of more commodious quarters.

1875/04/01

---King's Hotel is crowded with strangers.

----Street preaching is almost an every evening occurrence, in Dixon.

---Sunday evening, for the first time in the history of the town, the saloons were generally closed, and the proprietors

attended Divine services at Baptist Hall.

---Friend Huff, not content with treating his office with coats of paint and varnish, has also treated himself to a new suit of

store clothes—we cannot account for this two-fold extravagance, for his wife does not look much like dying.

---Rev. J.L.Blitch, the popular pastor of the Baptist Church here, has been presented with a new $12 hat. The hat was

presented by Mr. Womack, on behalf of the young men of Dixon. it is needless to add that Mr. Blitch was taken completely by surprise, and knew nothing of the movement.

1875/05/01---The Baptists have already secured a subscription nearly large enough to build them a nice church in Dixon. they also propose to build a Seminary here; but whether this year or not, we are not advised.

1875/08/01

THE PROPOSED-CHURCH -- At a meeting of the Building Committee of the Baptist church, held on Tuesday of this week,

it was resolved to proceed at once to the erection of a brick church, as soon as the material can be placed upon the

ground: enough funds have been already subscribed and the site is already agreed upon. This looks like business and we

may yet see a fine church edifice in Dixon, before the rainy season sets in. D.B. Huff Esq. has been selected to superintend

the erection of the building. We understand the site agreed upon is on A street near the corner of First.

NEW ORGANIST - The Baptist Church in Dixon has secured the services of the accomplished and popular organist, Miss

Lula Evans, to take the place of Miss Hooke, whose depature from Dixon we chronicled

1875/09/01

Contract Let - The building site has been secured and contracts let for the erection of the new Baptist church in Dixon. Mr.

Henley of Sacramento has the contract for the brick work, and Mr. Love of Dixon for the wood work. The aggregate cost of the building will be $7,000. We have not yet seen the drawings, and cannot give the sizoe of the edifice, but understand

that it will have a seating capacity of 500 persons, and will be finished with a spire 80 feet high.

1875/10/01

The New Church [Baptist] - The brick work was finished on Monday of last week, the roof is on, and next week Mr. Love

proposes to elevate the spire to its place; meantime, the work on the inside goes bravely on. The plumbing has been nicely

done by J.C.North. The furnace is in place ready for firing up.

1875/12/01

---On next Sabbath, services will be held for the first time in the new Baptist Church. The building is to be completed as

early as the weather will permit.

1876/08/01

---Contractor London began work on the Baptist Church, Tuesday morning

---The services of the Baptist Church, will be held in Centennial Hall, to-morrow.

1876/09/01

---The new Baptist Church is being plastered, seated and painted.

1876/10/01

---Dedication of the new Baptist Church, tomorrow. For programme see small bills.

1877/09/22

---Father King, the aged Baptist minister is now lying quite low. He is very weak and helpless.

DEATH of REV. DANIEL KING. Rev. Daniel King, the aged Baptist minister, died in Dixon Wednesday morning, October

3d, aged 74 years 3 months and 2 days. After a long illness, which was more the consequence of old age and exhausted

nature than of any particular malady, he sank peacefully into the grave in the fullest hope of life beyond. The deceased was

a native of Kentucky, born near the Tennessee line. In 1831 he moved to Mississippi where he remained until 1853,

moving then to California, and taking up his residence in Solano county, where he has lived ever since. Prior to 1841, Mr.

King had been a farmer, but in that year he embraced the calling of the ministry and was ordained. He founded what was

so long know as the Vaca Valley Baptist Church, the parent of the present Baptist Church of Dixon. Up to the time of his

death he remained the nominal pastor of the church, though he had long retired from active duty.

1877/11/01

---A new and attractive feature has been inaugurated in the Baptist church by their enterprising pastor J.L. Blitch. It is a

scriptural reading by all the congregation in concert. Everyone seems to like the plan which gives all who will, a share in the general worship

1879/04/01

Mrs. L.W. Poland, music teacher, has changed her residence to First street, second house south of Baptist church.

1879/07/12

There will be an ice-cream social at the house of Mrs. Silvey, in Silveyville, next Friday evening, given by the ladies of the Baptist church.

1880/06/01

June --The Baptist church is receiving some needed improvements including a coat of paint outside and of kalsomine inside. The rods that were put through the walls some time ago have now been tightened up, and the cracks have closed so that the edifice is all right again. The Baptist church is being painted red.

1883/08/01

The Baptist Church of this place is soon to be remodeled and repaired. The tower will be changed from the middle of the end to the corner, in order to have a large room in front for prayer meetings, society meetings, etc. Pillars six feet square will be built under each pilaster, the partitions will be changed and the whole interior plastered. The building will take on a

more modern apperance, and the convenience and architectural beauty of the interior will certainly be wonderfully improved Remodeling Baptist Church, $3,400.

1885/01/17 A. TRAFTON, M.D. Residence- One door south of Baptist Church Office

1885/04/01 -Latice windows have been cut higher up in the belfry of the Baptist Church, for the purpose of improving the sound of the bell.

1888/01/01 --Rev. E. James, the noted Baptist evangelist. arrived in Dixon last Monday. He is accompanied by his wife, who is gifted with a very sweet voice. and assists him materially in conduction revival services. He began his work at the Baptist church on Monday and has preached every evening since. --The ladies of tne Presbyterian church will give a grand floral festival in Dixon -Hall, on the evening of April and 7F-,th. At that time Nature will be at her best. and the gardens in and around t1ion will yield a display of flowers that cannot he surpassed On any part of the inhabitable globe. The ladies will charge a small admission fee and have refreshments for sale,

1888/05/03 May 10th.--The State Baptist Ministers and Laymen's Conference elected the following officers today : Clerk, E. C. McCune of Dixon

1888/06/30

The Free Public Library - The general committee appointed to consider the feasibility of establishing a free public library, met in the Baptist church last Friday evening to hear the report of the subcommittee. A basis of action was reported as follows: A committee of seven was suggested, consisting of M. Dudley, H.E. McCune, S. G. Little, H. Eppinoer, Peter Timm, N.B.S. Coleman, and A.B. Story, whose duty it is to solicit subscriptions. The conditions of the subscription are: 1st. The library is to be controlled by an incorporated Board of Trustees. 2d. The

library is to be conducted on the plan usual in niallio libraries and reading rooms, with a view to the intellectual improvement of the community, and in accordance with the principles of good order and morality. 3d. The use of periodicals is to be free to all in the building who will observe the rules of the library. 4th. The privilege of borrowing books for home reading shall be restricted to members who pay the current support of the library at the rate of 25 cents per month. 5th. The Trustees shall arrange a constitution and by-laws in accordance with the foregoing,

1889/09/01 Among the Churches: Next Sunday morning at the Baptist church, Rev. W.T. Jordan will preach a sermon to the children and he would be pleased to see as many present as can possibly attend. In the evening, the Sunday school will give a harvest home concert consisting of songs, recitations, and addresses. At the close a collection will be taken for mission work in California. The Trustees of the Baptist church expect to make a number of improvements about the church property. A handsome picket fence will be built about the property. The yard is being terraced and blue grass and flowers will be planted as soon as a water supply is insured. The quarterly Sunday school evening service will be held at the Methodist church next Sunday evening, at which time the barrels of money will be opened. The one containing the largest amount of coin will secure to the class to which it belongs the beautiful banner for the next three months. The services will consist of songs by the children and an address by the pastor. The Presbytery of Northern California convenes in the Presbyterian church, Dixon, on Tuesday, October the 1st.

1891/01/24

Jan. 24 - THE BAPTIST CHURCH. A Brief Historical Sketch by the Pastor. Thirty-five years of Uninterrupted Prosperity-

One of the Strongest Churches in the State.

1892/04/29

April 29 - AFTER THE QUAKE.

Nothing definite has been decided in regard to the Baptist Church, but it is thought that the ruined building will be replaced by a frame building of modern design.

1893/06/01

[Baptist Church] A Needed Institution. To the Editor--Sir: By your permission I wish to call the attention of the community to

the purpose of the Baptist Church to establish a free library and reading-room. For many years this has been talked of by

the people of the town, and once or twice some effort has been made to secure funds for this purpose, but nothing in the

way of results has been accomplished. The absence of anything of the kind and the manifest necessity for it, should lead

every one of our citizens to hail with enthusiasm any effort looking to this end.

On last Sabbath our church voted to raise a sufficient amount of money to build an addition in the rear of the present

building, forty-six by seventy-one feet. This addition will contain five rooms, a lecture room, thirty-three by forty-six feet; a

reading-room, seventeen by twenty-six feet; a gentlemen's parlor, twelve by seventeen feet; a ladies' parlor, eighteen by

twenty-four feet and a kitchen. The gentlemen's parlor and reading room will be kept open all the time.

The parlor will be provided with fire-place, bath room, combs, brushes, towels etc., while the reading-room will be provided

with a fire-place, daily and weekly papers, magazines, hooks, writing material, etc.

The ladies' parlor will be used by the ladies as they see fit. Ladies can come to the reading-room, get books or papers, take

them to their parlor and read in quiet. The kitchen will be made to do service on social occasions. The lecture room will be

used for various purposes. We will want now and then a lecture from prominent men whom we may secure. We shall want

also a literary society, composed of young men and young women, to meet once a week for improvement in debate,

composition, reading and declaiming. And ,once a week we shall hold a special religious service for young men.

Thus I have outlined briefly the purposes of the building. The erection of this building will cost about four thousand dollars.

One member of the church has agreed to give one-fourth of the amount, and we have two subscriptions of five hundred

dollars each. In fact, nearly three-fourths of the money has been pledged. A part of the other fourth I wish to accrue from

the citizens of the community. May I now express the hope that I shall meet with a liberal response. I know that the time are

hard, but we must do something for the social, moral and intellectual interest of our boys or they will be much harder.

Very truly, W.T. Jordan, Pastor Baptist Church

1894/12/01

--The Baptist Church and the Dixon Opera House have been wired for electric lights. The incandescent system will be used in both.

--Services in the Baptist Church next Sunday, morning and evening. At the morning service Mr. Gray will answer the call of the church to become its pastor. The next sermon will be titled: "Men and brethren let me freely speak unto you."

1896/06/01

--The Baptist Church will soon have a fine new bell. The old one, which became cracked recently after nearly thirty years of service, will be shipped to the foundry.

1896/09/15

---The old bell which has been taken out of the Baptist belfry to give place to a fine new one, was purchased over thirty

years ago through subscriptions raised by the late lamented "Father" King and has called several generations of the faithful

to worship in the intervening years. A crack in the body of the bell several weeks ago silenced it forever. The new bell

secured the premium in a competitive test at the Midwinter Fair and will be more than twice the size of the old.

1897/05/01

----The Baptist Church has just been remodeled at an expense of about five hundred dollars. It is indeed a very handsome

auditorium. The new stained glass windows and new carpet together with the light oak coloring of the seats and woodwork

render it both comfortable and beautiful.

1897/12/01

---A troupe of trained horses passed through town last Saturday and gave an exhibition on a vacant lot near the Baptist Church. There were fourteen animals in the herd, all of which were quite well trained. They were the property of Geo. Bartholemew, who was enroute to San Francisco with his performers.

1900/01/05

---What is known as the picnic grounds on the farm of C.C. Agee was the scene of a trio of baptisms last Monday. Mrs. Sadie Jordan, Willie McCune and Edw. Newman were the candidates for immersion, the ceremony being performed by Rev. A.M. Petty.(Baptist)

1911/05/01

---The tenth annual commencement exercises of Dixon Union High School will be held in the Baptist Church this Friday evening. The graduating class of 1901 is composed of five students, Misses Barbara L. McCune, and Hetty B. Foster; Messrs. Jesse Blaine Holly, G. Wyman Morse and Scott M.Rice. (picture is printed in Tribune issue, May 24,1901)

1902/10/01 --Owing to the smallpox scare of last week no services were held in the Baptist Church last Sunday.

1902/11/01 --J.D. Johnson is engaged this week in installing a new furnace in the basement of the Baptist Church.

1903/09/11 ---The Baptist Church is considering the proposition to buy or build a parsonage for the use of the pastor's family. A

meeting was held last Saturday and it was decided to start a parsonage fund. Pledges to the amount of $500 have been

made and the Ladies' Aid Society has taken upon itself the responsibility of raising a large share of the amount necessary

to provide the church with the much needed parsonage. As a money raising medium the ladies have decided to give a

series of concerts during the winter.

1905/03/03

---The family of the Rev. F. Hope have this week moved their belongings from their late residence in the Western addition to the new Baptist Parsonage on Main Street.

1905/05/01

The proposed action of the Board of Trustees to adopt a cement sidewalk ordinance has had the effect of precipitating

action on the part of property owners to get down good board walks before the ordinance is put into effect. A.C. Hazelton

had the sidewalk around the hotel put into shape and E.C. Eames had his walk on the opposite side of the street and

fronting his property further down almost entirely renewed, while Mrs. D. Smith has relaid the sidewalk fronting her

premises. Meanwhile the list of those who are keeping in the line of process is daily growing and in additon to J.D. Grady,

J.L. Nagel, T.B. Duke, and Herman Fischer, J.D. Johnson, Good Johnson, A.F. Shangraw, Mrs. T.N. Buckles, Peter Carr,

Baptist Parsonage, Albert Filto, and H.C. Grove, on First street have placed orders for concrete walks while in addition to

others on A street John Grove, W.S. Pedrick, B.F. Newby, Mrs. Kusker and R.E.L. Stephens will likewise improve their

properties.

1905-09/25

DIXON Oct. 7. — A meeting of Baptists will commence in Dixon next Tuesday and last for three days. The people of

the little town are making busy preparation for their entertainment. The meeting will be of special interest, being the first

assembly of the new Sacramento Baptist Association. The city of Sacramento and surrounding towns will be specially

represented. The church people will be welcomed Tuesday by H. E. McCune and Mayor Cowden. The features of the

meeting will be addresses by Arthur Rider, who has just returned from Japan, and several Oriental missionaries. Rev. W.

E. Story of Sacramento will be moderator and Rev. Francis Hope, editor of the Arrow, clerk and entertaining pastor.

MARTINEZ, Sept. 25.— -The Solano Arrow, a temperance publication edited by Revs. Hope and Kingsbury, ministers

ofthe Baptist and Methodist churches of Dixon, in Solano County, will suspend In October after an existence of some

fifteen months. The; Dixon Tribune will take over the subscription list of the Arrow.

1906/10/01

---The Baptist church will celebrate their Fiftieth Anniversary next Friday. An informal social and tea will he held at the

Parsonage in the afternoon, to which many old timers will be invited.

1910/01/01

---On Wednesday night the Baptist Church held its quarterly business meeting. The treasurer's report showed $1010.71

paid in during quarter and $931.11 paid out in expenses and improvements. A hearty vote of thanks was extended to Mrs.

Rowland Moss for the handsome gift of choir chairs and for the improvements in choir loft. The church voted to put in

memorial windows of opalescent glass. A committee was appointed to see to the rewiring and relighting of the church.

1910/06/01

—Rev. F. Hope was busy yesterday in putting into the Baptist church the new memorial windows which had just arrived.

They are very pretty, and add much to the appearance of the church. The windows are in the memory of Mrs. Barbara

McCune, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Garnett, Jno. S. Mayes, Harry Petersen, Rev. C.A.Buckbee and Rev.Daniel King.

1911/01/01

A beautiful memorial window has been placed in the Baptist church,

in memory of Scott McCune by his parents.

Feb., 1911

J.R. Grinstead has sold his residence on south Main street to Mrs. J.D.Johnson.

1911/05/01

W.R. Madden buys a quarter of a block close to the business part of town known

as the Madden stables and skating rink

property formerly owned by his father; sold to W.G. Harris, re-sold to Madden.

1912/04/20

Headlines

DIXON THE DAIRY CITY OF THE PACIFIC COAST. Alfalfa A Legitimate

Sure Thing. The Hog Industry. The New Library.

The New Grammar School.

Chamber of Commerce Work. Walnut Growing About Dixon.

The Tribune's 1st issue was Nov 14, 1874 by Mr. Hopkins in a building next to Huff's lumber office south of the depot on Jackson Street. It moved to under the Opera House across the street on W B Street, when it burned in the fire of 1883. Most everything was lost, including the oldest papers published. It moved several more times until finally in June of 1911, it has its own home here, at this site. We couldn't have done most of the research for this walking tour without the digitized Tribune Newspapers.

Morris Stenge the Tailor has his business next door. Also next door in ? in the building attached to the IOOF building was the Siefert's (?) Home Bakery in the 20's?

Tribune was owned by Hopkins, Alfred Nye, Willot and Henry, LH Petersen, FA Hutton, Henry and Hutton, Ed. Leake was publisher during the fire in 1883, Bessac (?) and ???? (get this info confirmed!)

snnc_4_15_1892_The_1st_number_of_the_Dixon_Tribune_under_new_mgmt_of_RE_Willot_Henry_VallejoEve

New Tribune on S First St. JUNE 17 1911 page 5-1

Tribune moves from Vendome Hall (Capitol Hotel) to its new home JUNE 17 1911 page 5-1

Tribune building fire FEBRUARY 15 1929 page 1

Ed Lawrence between church and Tribune building purchased from J. P. Thomsen MAY 16 1930 page 1

IOOF buys Tribune Building OCTOBER 21 1955 page 1

Tribune Building torn down APRIL 27 1956 page 9-1

razing of old communuty church MAY 04 1967 page 10

Dixon Tribune history Date JANUARY 29 1987 page 32

Presbyterian Church then the Dixon Chamber of Commerce was on the SE corner of E Mayes and S 1st Street...

WE SHOULD THINK OF MAKING THIS SITE ON ITS OWN AS A THIS PLACE HAS HISTORY WE ALREADY HAVE SO MUCH HERE AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT THE LOT AS A CIRCUS THEN THE BANDSTAND AND CROWNING OF MAY DAY QUEEN NEXT TO BAPTIST CHURCH