The Club Crazy Horse was a main hang out for many of Nevada City's residents, including Wiley Dog and Sparky. They could either be found playing pool or dancing around the pool table. They both loved to howl when Tom and Dink, the house band, would break into " Dead skunk in the middle of the road ". The large pole and the neon sign all would soon be gone as another step was made to become a " cute little town". A gem in the Mother Lode for sure.
The Paris Garage was where Ray Dreyer fixed what ever moved on wheels. It had been a place to get something fixed for generations. There wasn't a square corner in the building. The Nevada City of 2008 finds the ole garage filled with shops selling all sorts of things from every where.
This grand Victorian house on Park Avenue has an elevator and a great view of Pioneer Park. Nevada City neighborhoods are filled with Victorians and starting in the 1970's all would be fixed to their original grandeur. Before the turn of the Century almost every dwelling would be restored or remodeled. Nevada City always took great pride in itself and it is well earned.
Nevada City has many churches. Looking up from Spring Street you can see painters working on the steeple. The steeple is lighted during the Christmas Holidays and since it sets at the top of Broad Street it provides to Nevada City's charm. Which is abundent here.
The Torino was located on Sacramento Street and the bar had to be one of Nevada City's best known slime holes. Holes in the floor gave you a great view of Deer Creek below. And if you droped anything on the floor and wanted it you would have to have quick reactions or it to would be in Deer Creek. The building sagged so much that it was downhill to the bar. The up hill exit could prove to be some what difficult at times. The place made a grand exit from town in a giant ball of fire. The most dramatic until the Elks building fire this Century.
Located on Nevada Street the steeples cross can be seen in a large part of Nevada City.
Clark's Garage is located on Zion Street across from Miner's Hospital. Now a private resident the pump is gone. No doubts it could not show 2008 prices on it anyway !Wiley Dog and Sparky are jetting across the flat desert floor in their Edsel in a journey that has took them half way around the World in an attempt to save their friend Mic. Following a new lead they both hope this will prove to be the one. So close in Africa and just minutes behind in Paris France in their efforts. While Sparky has pushed the big throat ed V8 to it's top speed Wiley Dog has been musing on the Nevada City duo's past adventures. His thoughts have turned to towns 1970's and 80's. As from anybodies point of view it comes from the path they have taken and theirs was a well worn path from "watering hole" to another " watering hole". In Nevada City's case that means you hardly ever go more than two blocks. And now things began to change in a fashion that would be highly noticeable. The street were ripped up, utilities put underground and gas lamps came to represent the new-old Nevada City. And all that time new and old faces started a movement that continues to this day. Just some of the notable players. David Osburn and Charles Wood had moved from San Francisco and set up shop on Commercial Street with their Osburn and Woods retail store. Eclectic inside for sure but their choice of bold multi - color outside store front was stunning. It started the color revolution in town. After all they had argued "this is how the Victorians would have done it!". If they had done nothing else they would have made this list, but they NEVER stopped being the creative thinkers that they both are. First they brought an attitude of fun, style, dreams and backed up with a can do style. A spark that ignited town to were it was going to go. They took over the old foundry and turned into the American Victorian Museum. The AVM became a gathering place for all walks of life. And then the two created radio station KVMR. What a gem that move has proved to be. In today's current corporate media world KVMR is a rare blessing not only to Nevada City but just possible the World. Greg Cook started a small then fondue house that grew to become Nevada City's best known restaurant. He proved that a fine dining house could flourish in this small town and was the cornerstone of many great restaurants to come. In 2008 Friar Tuck's is known World wide. Just to show you ;" from small acorns tall oaks grow!". Also on Commercial Street Mike Snegg and Michael Faulkenberry opened their Good Morning health food store which was a magnet to the new folks that kept coming to town. Next door Eric and Johanna Tomb opened their Grimblefinger book store and art gallery. Sparky had the good fortune of showing his work many times in the upstairs gallery. Next door came "Fast" Eddie Falick's Rainbow Kitchen. Eddie still the only person to never drive that Wiley Dog and Sparky knew. I guess being from New York City will do that to you. The Forest Service office moved out to the Superintendent's Office and alas Pete's Place finally closed. The Grass Valley Group was expanding every year to become a World leader in electronics's. At the " Group" worked Pat Dyer who was a assembler. Taking left over parts that were destined to be thrown away he and his wife Diane made ear rings and roach clips that they sold at craft fairs on the weekends. They had talent and before long they opened Utopian Stone on Main Street next to firehouse Number 2. A true American success story, now from their store on Broad Street they sell the fine jewelry World wide. They have always been a couple who have worked continuously to shape Nevada City into what it is today. And the watering holes started to reflect the changing time. Pete's Place transformed into Framastanyls. Created by Keith Davies, Pete Schram and Bucky Bratton it was the place to be...if you could get in. In a expansion move by the group they took over part of the old Forest Service office and Sparky found himself with a 2500 square foot upstairs studio. One which he enjoyed for years. On Broad Street Jim Costello " JC" and his two sons; Jimmy and Richie would turn an shoe store into McGee's Annex. A mighty fine drinking establishment. The Boston and Bay Area based Costello's had a long bar owning history. And it showed. The place became the new neighborhood place to go and be seen. And you could count on a good time! The Boys knew how to treat you well and they grew into a Nevada City benchmark that thrives to this day. Yes, things looked different all over this " cute little town".
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