Red Bluff Daily News Special Publications
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Page 10 Saturday, September 8, 2012 Red Bluff Daily News Welcome to Cone & Kimball Plaza The Cone-Kimball Building with its famous clocktower stood for 98 years, 1886 to 1984. Pioneer business- men, Joseph Cone and Gorham Kimball, who wanted to have the best general store building in the region, built it. That they succeeded was attested to by a San Francisco paper of 1889, which stated that the building was "a mon- ument to the industry, energy and enterprise of the owners, the finest business house north of Sacramento and unsur- passed by any in the state…" Through the years many businesses flourished in the building and improvements were made, but the basic structure and tower remained unchanged. The ornate and beau- tiful Victorian clocktower was often called "the Heart of Red Bluff".... and, for good reason. It best symbolized the Vic- torian background and flavor of the city, and crowned one of the most years in an effort to determine what to do with the lot. In February 1997 the Red Bluff Rotary Foundation made a decision to pur- chase the lot for $83,000 and united in a partnership with the Downtown Red Bluff Business Association (DRBBA) and the City to develop a plan to Rebuild The Heart of Red Bluff, and the Cone & Kimball Committee was formed. Improvements were made and the mortgage retired with community donations and proceeds from a variety of fundraisers in Decem- ber 1999. Partners For Progress have donated countless hours and thousands of dollars worth of in-kind services and materials. photographed buildings in the region. When it was lost by fire on April 30, 1984, many felt that they had lost their heart. LINDA M. FOURBY, LUTCF Your Red Bluff Agent 530-529-2369 AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH • MEDICARE MOBILE HOME • RENTERS MOTORCYCLES • BOATS 805 Walnut St., Red Bluff CA Lic.#0C05427 A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens ◆ Independent Living ◆ Private Apartments ◆ Three Nutritious Meals Daily ◆ 24 Hour Secure Environment ◆ House Keeping Services ◆ Warm & Friendly Staff ◆Recreational Programs ◆Scheduled Transportation ◆Private & Formal Dining Rooms 750 David Avenue, Red Bluff • 527-9193 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY After the fire a num- ber of citizen commit- tees worked for several In December 2002 the Red Bluff Rotary Foundation clocktower project was selected for funding in the amount of $250,000 under the 2002 Resources Bond Act, Historical and Cul- tural Resources Preser- vation, Opportunity Grant Program. This was an enor- mous boost to the pro- ject and finalization of the clocktower plans for the foundation, steel structure and facade were given high priority. In June 2005 the engi- neered plans were approved, grant funds became available and Rotary contracted with Triple D Metal Work and Fabrication to begin building the clocktower. The structure is approxi- mately 87 feet high. Pur- chase of the clocks and carillons were made possible by a $50,000 donation from Vesper Masonic Lodge #84. The Cone & Kimball Plaza is a Red Bluff Rotary Foundation and Downtown Red Bluff Business Association Improvement Project. All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to Red Bluff Rotary Foundation P O Box 507 Red Bluff, Ca 96080.