KELSEYVILLE >> The 65th quilt block to be installed on the Lake County Quilt Trail is located on Third and Main streets in downtown Kelseyville on the Norton building.
The 8-by-8-foot block is sponsored by the Norton children — Pam (Pete) Jerome, Mark (Erin) Norton and Margie (Ben) Mitten, and grandchildren — Kim (Dave) Sullivan, Nick (Kami) Jerome, Shelly (Dave) Bond, Jared (Christie) Norton, Nick (Shawna) Mitten, Chris, Steven and Stephanie and 11 great-grandchildren to honor the memory of their mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Carol. Son-in-law, Ben Mitten, installed this quilt block and custom made the frame.
The quilt block is called “Carol”s Camellia” because Carol loved to garden and one of her favorite plants was the camellia. When her children”s school would have a bake sale, she would frost a cake white and top it with a real camellia. She would also float them in bowls on her table and would give them to her children and eventually her grandchildren to take home and do the same. Pink camellias were her favorite.
The history of the Norton building dates back to 1923. It was located across the street from the current location in an old livery stable and was called K-ville Garage. In 1925, the current building was built and sometime in the 20s the name was changed to Norton Motors. Starting as a Ford dealership, it changed to Dodge in 1938. In 1970, Russ Norton added Chrysler/Plymouth and in the 80s, Mark Norton took on Jeep.
Through the years the business has been run by second, third and fourth generations of the Norton Family. In 1946, Russ, Howard and Floyd Norton began working with their father, Fred.
In 1960, Russ became the sole owner, and his wife, Carol, worked along side him as the bookkeeper. Daughters, Pam and Margie also spent time in the office. Son, Mark, began working with his father, Russ, in 1972 and eventually was taken on as partner. When Mark”s son, Jared, became involved in the towing end of the business around 1995, it made the fourth generation of Nortons to participate.
The LCQT is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride. The 8-by-8-foot quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trial team, a group of dedicated quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.
For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit lakecountyquilttrail.com or find them on Facebook.
