I spent an enjoyable hour with a couple of docents at the Novato History Museum today. I was hoping to get to the bottom of my confusion surrounding the original name of The Square. In my mind, it was always "Novak Square," though others have asserted that it was "Novato Square." Although neither of the women could recall its name, they did confirm that the center would've been built by Novak. I haven't had any luck online, but I'm hoping to find old photos or newspaper clippings to help set the record straight.
In the meantime, I did come across this great aerial photograph showing the area in 1957. The triangular plot of land in the upper left is where Roger Wilco was built in about 1960, and would become The Square. At the center right, you can also see the long-gone West Novato Elementary School.
Also shown in the detail below is Gustafson Court, the street I grew up on. My parents moved into the house around 1963-64, and I remember construction just beginning then on "Pleasant Valley 44," the development on Center Road, west of Sutro. San Marin High School was just being built at the time. This picture shows the area 6-7 years before that.
In the meantime, I did come across this great aerial photograph showing the area in 1957. The triangular plot of land in the upper left is where Roger Wilco was built in about 1960, and would become The Square. At the center right, you can also see the long-gone West Novato Elementary School.
Also shown in the detail below is Gustafson Court, the street I grew up on. My parents moved into the house around 1963-64, and I remember construction just beginning then on "Pleasant Valley 44," the development on Center Road, west of Sutro. San Marin High School was just being built at the time. This picture shows the area 6-7 years before that.
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