Rosamond Review

This week I decided to write about Rosamond and I found a Progress Edition from the 1959 Rosamond Review when digging through my mother Marion Deaver’s files.

This big edition, published January 8, 1959, may take two columns to cover all of it. The edition, according to co-owner Lou Africa, was the first published and printed in Rosamond.

The printing plant was put into operation January 2, 1959. The newspaper was in a four column tabloid format, which was new from the old eight column paper.

Africa explained that the new publication featured “open type”, which was designed to be easier to read.

The first edition was late, he said, but for a good reason. As the publication was being laid out for a 16-page paper, more and more articles poured in, making it a 32 page paper. The press run was also tripled because of demand for the publication.

Africa added that this souvenir edition, printed on slick book paper, was available in newsstands, and a limited number were made available at the local Chamber of Commerce.

The new location of the Rosamond Review and Rosamond Printing Center was located at 2000 Rosamond Blvd. The new building was described as being 24 x 60 feet, and was divided into two offices with a reception area up front and printing equipment and restrooms in the back.

I mention this because it seemed to be Africa’s pride and joy. He even mentioned that the new building had white walls with coral pink trim, mahogany doors and paneling, hot and old running water, thermostatically controlled heating and cooling, and exhaust fans to eliminate metal and gas fumes.

Of course there was a coffee bar, with the pot on at all times, as standard equipment. It reminds me of the Enterprise Newspaper office that I worked in located at California City near the airport. We had the printing machines and big press in the back, but with tons of old newspapers and saved layout sheets.

We too had a coffee pot that ran all day. Because it was a metal building, we also had critters, such as scorpions and mice. Bill Penn the owner fought the mice all the time, but not well enough.

One day I came to work early, started the coffee, and then noticed a huge note, written in newsprint that stated “there is a big snake in here – when you find it I will come back to work,” signed Helen, the layout person.

Of course, I immediately looked all around and saw nothing. I am not afraid of snakes, unless they are poisonous ones. Since Helen did not mention the type of snake, I was a bit apprehensive.

Soon everyone else came to work, including Helen, who said it was not a rattlesnake, so I settled down to work. I was doing layout about 1 p.m. that afternoon and had forgotten about snakes.

Under the vertical layout tables were all sorts of old stacked layout sheets. Suddenly I heard the sheets make noise, and I looked down. A healthy gopher snake stuck his head out right between my legs. I said “snake!” and I was alone. Everyone else was on tables, chairs, or was gone.

Bill Penn got one of the high school boys who took the harmless snake back out to the desert-until next time.

The Rosamond Review building looked like it was constructed much better, with stucco and probably no holes in the walls, so no critters. The equipment included two typesetting machines, other printers, and a large book press, used to print the newspaper.

Africa said he brought over 40 years of printing experience to the area, having been born into a family of printers. His wife, Faye, was also an accomplished press woman, and was the other co-owner.

Next column I will discuss the contents of the publication and the progress made by local businesses and organizations.