The Artifact of the Month, #45-8A, is a holiday-time promotional object from the Chamber of Commerce.  It is a paper bag, measuring 4.5” by 10” with an embossed holiday greeting from the Chamber and from the City.  It was donated to the City Archives in the 1970s.  During the 1950s, this type of paper bag was used to cover the Healdsburg parking meters to give shoppers a break during the Holiday shopping season.  Yes, that’s right: Healdsburg Parking Meters!

(Note - parking meter bag)

The City of Healdsburg had 347 parking meters installed in the downtown business area from 1947 through 1966.  The meters were placed on Matheson, Center, Plaza and Healdsburg Avenue.  According to 1948 City of Healdsburg Financial Report, the downtown parking meters “tended to turn-over available parking places for shoppers” and also provided a net income for the City of $5,000 (for the first three years, after all expenses and charges for installing them were paid). During the years that the meters were in operation they generated $10,000 to $12,765 a year in revenue for the City, but they were deplored by most locals.  Both downtown shopping and parking meter income declined during the early 1960s.  The City’s decision to remove all of the meters in 1966 was welcomed by locals and out-of-town shoppers alike.

The above was researched and written by Holly Hoods.

For more information about the Museum's collection of historical artifacts, contact the Museum