Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Los Gatos Weekly-Times file illustration

Le Chateau Boussy was a favorite dining spot for Los Gatos Francophile and businessman Henry C. Crall.

Picture from the Past

John S. Baggerly

H.C. Crall loved France and brought its flavor to town

Last week's photograph showed the interior of the Crall Book and Stationery Store at 2l N. Santa Cruz Ave., slightly south of the Los Gatos Cinema.

The business was started by Henry J. Crall on Main Street in 1892; 1916 saw the retirement of "H.J." and a move to the N. Santa Cruz address. Young Henry "H.C." Crall took over from his father but was soon off to France and World War I, so the senior Crall resumed management.

During and after the war, Henry saw a great deal of France, fell in love with his surroundings and became an unabashed Francophile. On his return to managing the family business, the store began to display French objets d'art. Young Henry also became an evening diner at Le Chateau Boussy, eight miles south of Los Gatos on the old road to Santa Cruz. Henri Boussy, son of the Chateau's founder, was a 1935 Los Gatos High School graduate and later became a French teacher. He is now retired in Mill Valley.

The Chateau offered dinner for $1.10. Among the specialities de la maison were Crêpe Farci with vegetables, Rhum Omelette and Crêpes Suzette, as well as squab, chicken and steak. Olives, celery, pimientos and other hors d'oeuvres varied. There was salad and three soups to choose from, along with desserts including fromage, apple fritters and ice cream. Cafe demitasse finished off the evening.

With this food and drink in him, Francophile Crall said, "It was a miracle that I drove those eight miles back to Los Gatos without accident."

Rates at Chateau Boussy read, "Cottages Weekend American Plan: $3.25 per person. Cottages Week American Plan: $18 per person." Los Gatos wags claimed the cottages were for San Francisco bachelors and their "wives." Why sin was related to San Franciscans was due to the port city's notorious reputation in early days.

Crall's lifestyle was also remarkable in other ways. He had taken on the dealership of Bay Area daily newspapers, doing morning deliveries of the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury. Instead of living at the family home at 66 Broadway, Henry fashioned a wooden shelter over an outdoor bed behind his store and was up early delivering newspapers.

Another change at Crall's--a magazine rack along the front sidewalk that people felt free to read from without buying, but Henry never complained.

Eventually the third Henry ran the store before becoming terminally ill and closing the operation, which started when his grandparents arrived here by train.

With France still strong in his personality, Crall built a Norman villa next door at 68 Broadway and lived there with his Italian wife.

Later, on a trip to Italy, she was unable to find her birthplace, but Henry, from her description, was able to spot her first home.

Today, Mike Wasserman owns both properties and lives in the villa with his wife, Kim, and family; they rent out the first Crall residence. Wasserman is owner-manager of Collector's Corner at 481 N. Santa Cruz Ave.

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