Centennial Barbecue, 1952

In August 1952, Mendocino celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding with a weekend of festivities that drew an estimated 5,000 attendees. The event showcased the town’s history and community spirit with a parade, barbecue, antique show, and dancing.

The celebration began Saturday at Kellieowen Hall, on the southwest corner of Lansing and Ukiah Streets, where local residents displayed a remarkable collection of antiques and heirlooms. These treasures, preserved for generations, offered a vivid glimpse into Mendocino’s past. The collection was so vast and valuable that a San Francisco collector estimated its worth at over $2,000,000.

That evening, the high school gymnasium hosted an “Old-Fashioned Revue,” featuring young townsfolk modeling the clothing and jewelry of their parents and grandparents while stories of the town’s founders were retold. The gym was filled to capacity, with bleachers lining the walls to accommodate the overflow. The night concluded with the largest dance ever sponsored by the local Fire Department, with music by Ben Watkins and his orchestra keeping the floor crowded well into the evening.

On Sunday morning, the parade formed at the grammar school and wound its way through town. Leading the procession was Ralph Sutherland in a Firepower Chrysler, carrying Mendocino’s oldest resident, Mrs. W. H. Flood, 95, alongside Mrs. William Boyle, 91, and Mrs. James Barton. Another highlight was Charles Tyrrell driving Eddie Matthews’ station wagon, which carried Mendocino’s oldest married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jens Hansen, who had celebrated over 60 years of marriage.

The parade ended at the high school athletic field where the festivities continued with a community barbecue. The aroma of barbecued meat filled the air as 2,000 people lined up for a meal. Two serving tables kept the lines moving quickly, and everyone enjoyed a hearty meal of barbecued meat, beans and salad. Folk and square dancing followed in the high school gym, with so many spectators that dancers sometimes struggled to complete their intricate formations.

In the afternoon, Kellieowen Hall reopened for one last viewing of the antiques, while historic sites like the Temple of Kwan Tai and the Old Lisbon House welcomed thousands of visitors. As the Beacon concluded, “All in all, the Centennial Celebration was a decided success, and one of the best celebrations ever put on in Mendocino.”

Summer Exhibit! ON TAP AT THE KELLEY HOUSE: The History of Brewing on the Mendocino Coast traces the deep roots and rich stories behind one of Northern California’s most spirited industries – from the small breweries that served the local lumber workers to the craft beer renaissance that put Mendocino on the national brewing map. Thursday – Monday, 11AM – 3PM.