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December 9, 2011

Oroville Mercury Register
November 28, 1961
Planners Stalled By Street Problem

The city of Oroville owns a street that is not a street and apparently must make it a street or give it up. This issue was before the city planning commission last night during a dispute over the abandonment of Rowe Avenue in Rancho Golden. The city owns the road but has never developed it: subdividers want the city to abandon it so they can build on it: and a number of Rancho Golden residents want it developed and used. Representatives of the latter two interests argued for sometime last night as the commission took a back seat. The meeting was a public hearing called exclusively for the clarification of the Rowe Avenue issue. Nearly 8 Years The city, according to Grant Moore of Chico, one of the subdividers, accepted Rowe Avenue as a dedicated street Jan. 15, 1954, at the same time it made a verbal agreement with Rancho Golden subdiver Noel Newton, in which Newton said he would improve the street. Newton died before the development was completed and Rowe was left undeveloped. A bond required by the subdivision ordinance for such improvements was not obtained from Newton because the ordinance didn’t go into effect until August, 1955. The city is stuck with the improvement.

Oroville Mercury Register
Feb. 8, 1946
What One Coat Meant To a Man In Greece Told In His Letter

Early this morning Oroville residents living near the elementary schools saw children bringing bundles, boxes and bags of clothing for war victims. Mountains of clothing have been collected all over the county. Much of this will be sent to Greece, a country that suffered more severely, perhaps than any other. Greece was the victim of three aggressions, Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. The troops of these nations stole whatever they wanted from the Greeks. A letter, written in Greek, to Leonard Davis, of Oroville, proclaims simply what it meant to one man to receive a coat that Davis contributed in the 1944 drive. Here is the letter, as translated by William Karageris: “Dear Leonard: The overcoat that you have sent me in September 1944, came but the fellow who was to get it, Gus Ntans was killed on Dec. 28, 1945 and his family consists of five, a wife, one boy and three girls. “We thank you very much and wish God will pay you back for you have fulfilled your promise that whoever has two shall give one. “The gift that you have given to me will do for anyone because the German, Italians and Bulgarians didn’t give us a chance to exchange anything. We had only one piece of clothing ourselves. “I hope to hear from you and wish you would send me your photo that or your family I’ll do the same for you,(signed) Konstantine A Nrane, Fourkes, Xalikdhs, Greece.” Karageris explained that this is an island off the mainland of Greece. A letter Karageris received from his brother, William who lives in Greece, demonstrated the terrible conditions there and the need for clothing. He said that one pair of shoes that cost 15 Greek francs before the war cost 60,000 today. Three pounds of vegetables worth two francs cost 350 now. Three pounds of meat worth three francs costs 2000 and one skinny frying chicken 12,000.
Oroville Mercury Register July 15, 2011 From Looking Back On Oroville and Butte County Heroes “Oroville Mercury Register October 8, 1966 Gold Star Mothers Set ‘Rummage Sale A discussion of names of Oroville streets was held when members of Butte County Chapter, Gold Star Mothers of America, met in the Merced Avenue home of Mrs. Myrtle Adams. The streets discussed were named for sons of members of the chapter. These are Rhine, Morningstar, Worthy, Ashley, Stauss, Campbell and Rowe. Plans for the annual fall rummage sale were made. The sale will be held next Friday in the North Burbank Public Utilities District Building at 1960 Elgin St. Mrs. Maud Dasler was introduced as a guest.

Stu’s Notes: The deadline for Friday’s article was approaching, Lynn was ready to type and I needed another story. So I went out to the Newspaper room, not heated of course and started looking. Well I pick up a few 1961 Mercury’s. Laying by there selves thinking I need these for my 50 years ago History columns, glancing down at the bottom of the front page I saw something about streets that caught my eye, as you know I have been very involved in Oroville about streets and Veterans and the name Rowe Avenue jumped out at me. For years I’ve been thinking that there would be or should be a street named for him. But where was it? I though Rancho Golden but never could find it. The word dedicated Street in the lead story leaves me to believe Rowe Avenue was dedicated in the memory of Corporal Melvin L. Rowe who died in WWII March 24, 1945. It must have been sad for Mrs. Irene Rowe, mother of Melvin to see that street abandoned. My Grand daughter and I went out in the dark of the moon to look for Rowe Ave. It was not where the story says. I will say Worthy Avenue has some very wonderful Christmas light displays. Soon their street signs will have a Gold Star and we of Oroville need to make it right and find a street for young, brave, Clp. Melvin Rowe, who died for us so long ago. Thank you Noel Newton for thinking of those Heroes. History sometimes gets lost, but sometimes it is found anew Thank you Oroville kids of long ago for gathering all those clothes.