Roman Spa Hot Springs founder Gena Quast turned 100-years old in December.
Roman Spa Hot Springs in Calistoga was founded by Gena and Max Quast.
To honor an immigrant from Germany, a nurse during WWII, and founder of Calistoga’s Roman Spa Hot Springs, Jan. 8 has been proclaimed Gena Quast Day in honor of her 100th birthday and many contributions to the community.
“Whereas Gena has made significant contributions within the City of Calistoga, for her support of our local culture and economy, and still resides in Calistoga and continues to be engaged with her family and friends,” the city proclamation reads.
Mayor Chris Canning added, “An enormous thank you from the City of Calistoga. Clearly what you and your husband Max founded here is part of the fabric and is an iconic institution of Calistoga, and certainly over the decades has drawn people here. Thank you for that hard work.”
Born Genoveva Login, in Germany, Gena was raised in an orphanage. She grew up to study nursing in Berlin, and graduated in 1943.
In the early 1950s she went to Canada, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1955. In San Francisco, she met Max Quast, a builder. They married in 1957. Gena worked as a nurse until about 1970.
The couple enjoyed the weather in Calistoga, and soaking in the mineral waters, and in 1975 bought what was then Piner’s Hot Springs. They renovated the simple buildings into a resort and changed the name to Roman Spa Hot Springs.
Gena enjoyed greeting guests and “never stopped going,” said son Michael Quast. “It was hard to stop her. She was always running from one place to the other, but they also took time to soak in the pools and just relax.”
The couple enjoyed a quiet life but were also involved in a home owners association, which partially transformed into the Chamber of Commerce.
The couple operated and lived at the resort until they retired in 1997, and the resort has been run by their son, Michael, and his wife, Kathy, ever since.
After they retired, Gina and Max moved off the resort property and into a house built by Max and Michael only a few blocks from the resort. They still frequented the pools most evenings throughout the year, and visiting with long-term guests.
Max and Gena enjoyed traveling, and visiting friends and relatives in Europe and Canada. They took driving trips, cruises, and toured Asia, the Soviet Union, England, the Caribbean and much of the U.S. and Mexico.
Max died in 2008.
Though there isn’t any one thing Gena attributes to her longevity, “She always thought she wouldn’t live that long but she’s the one who’s lived the longest,” Michael said. “Sometimes just being in Calistoga gives you that time to be more relaxed and live longer.”
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SEE PHOTOS OF THE CITY OF NAPA AS IT LOOKED 100 YEARS AGO
Photos: The city of Napa as it looked 100 years ago
Napa History
Students posing with a Ford automobile at Carneros school, taken in 1916 or 1917. Back of photograph states: "Carneros School- 1 Room, 8 grades-abt 1916 or 1917 - Can't remember the name of the boy on wheel or man by tree - think he owned the car. (Annie Kiser Thomas) Ist Row L to R Ernest Stukey- Ruby Fumassi- Norma Patterson (Anna Kiser Teacher) Thelma Farrar - Dorothy Farrar - Mario Matley - Pearl Fumassi - David Williams - Anita Stromer - 2nd Row - Verna Miller, Chrissie Oesch - Leo Stromer - Mary Jordan - Raymond Zwiffel - Annie Oesch Mabel?"
Napa History
First and Coombs streets in downtown Napa were unpaved in 1906 when this photo was taken in front of the old Napa Register building. The Register stayed at this location until 1966 when it moved to a new building occupying the block at Second and Wilson streets. The landmark building at First and Coombs has since been home to offices, stores and restaurants.
Napa History
A photograph of Stoddard Milling from Nov.10, 1889. The company, located at Brown and Fifth streets, was a major regional miller of barley and corn.
Napa History
This is where proper Napans shopped circa 1900. The A. L. Voorhees & Co. clothing store was located in a building on Brown Street.
Napa History
Students are dressed up for this classroom photo at South Primary School in Napa. The calendar in the photograph reads April 1899.
Napa History
A 1932 photograph showing the construction of George M. Francis Bridge over the Napa River at Third Street. The building housing Jaekle Bros Mill Works on the east bank no longer exists, opening up views of the Borreo Building which now houses Stone Brewing. The Francis bridge was named for the owner of the Napa Register. The concrete span was replaced early in this century with a longer, higher span for flood control.
Napa History
An undated photograph of one of the public rooms at the Napa State Asylum. The posed photo features a group of unidentified seated female patients. The back of the photograph reads: "After the morning's work ... we sat."
Napa History
This is how the Sawyer Tanning Co. appeared in 1869 on Coombs Street in south Napa. Founded in 1869, the tannery operated until 1990 when it closed, a casualty of labor unrest and tightening environmental standards. For the better part of a century, Napa was nearly as famous for tanning as wine. Napa leather was used for such products as baseballs, baseball gloves, patent leather shoes, and stylish outerwear. The Sawyer complex is now occupied by dozens of small businesses.
Napa History
An undated photograph of the interior of Zalliner & Even’s Butcher Shop, which was later known as Even & Even, on Main Street. This was an era before meat was sold in shrink-wrapped packages.
Napa History
Members of the Napa Glider Club are seen in October 1931. Alan Prouty acts as pilot, with Ernie Mollo at wing tip, Guy Winfry on the cable and Joe Elmore at tail of glider.
Napa History
Built in 1888 for a grocery, the Semorile Building on First Street with its New Orleans-style balcony, is one of downtown Napa's finest examples of Victorian era commercial architecture. By the time of this photo in 1984, the building was down on its luck. It was subsequently restored and seismically retrofitted. Today it houses Bounty Hunter's restaurant and offices.
A 1984 photograph of the Semorile Building on First Street in downtown Napa. At the time the photo was taken the building appears to be abandoned, with signs for House of Bargains.
Napa History
A month after former President Theodore Roosevelt died on Jan. 6, 1919, Napa community leaders gathered in Fuller Park to dedicate the planting of a memorial redwood and an etched stone. A back of the photo says: "Feb. 19, 1919. Planting Roosevelt Memorial Redwood in Fuller Park. Judge Henry C. Gesford, President Napa Council., E. L. Bickford - Scout Comm., I. F. McMannus - S. M., Ralph Gordly - Bugler"
Napa History
Earthquakes have not been kind to the Napa County Courthouse, which dates from 1878. Prior to the 1906 earthquake, the courthouse had this stunning cupola. The August 2014 South Napa earthquake also caused damage, requiring the closure of the core structure until it could be rebuilt. Repairs are currently underway.
Napa History
This crisp photo from 1908 shows downtown Napa's Migliavacca Building, which once sat where Dwight Murray Plaza is located today on First Street. The two-story stone building, considered the largest stone structure in town, was erected in 1905 at what was then the northwest corner of First and Brown streets. It contained stores on the ground level, offices above. It was torn down in the early 1970s as part of the city's urban renewal program.
Napa History
A photograph of Sawyer Tannery employees dated 1889. First row, seated, Mr. Brown and daughter, Nick Brennan, William Wilson, (unknown), John Burns, E. G. Manasse, Hezakiah Jones. Second row, seated, Charlie Grady, (unknown), McDowell, Mr. Mullins, (unknown), (unknown), R Roads, William Topping. Third row, seated, (Unknown), Demkoy, Clayton Jones, William Overdick, Thomas Hull, George Wilson, (unknown). Standing, first row, (Unknown), (unknown), Mr. Roth, (unknown), Jake Martinez, (unknown), Tom Shanahan, Herman Geiger. Standing, second row, (Unknown), (unknown), (unknown), (unknown), Peter Couts, (unknown), Albert Streblow, Mr. Couts, (unknown), Mr. Haines, Charles Steer, (unknown), (unknown), (unknown), Bob Curtis, Mr. J. W. Miller, Capt. Parson, Mr. Otto, Fred Blanchard, (unknown). Standing, third row, L. McKenzie, Mr. Malone, Dave Crow, Mr. JP Evans, (unknown), Bergman, Harry Short, Ed Cotter, Fred Flaherty, Fatty Cain, Mr. Sutherland, Jim Baddley, Pat O'Farrell, Mr. Brennan, (unknown), (unknown), (unknown), Jack Monroe, Mr. Otto Smith.
Napa History
The Behlow Building, located at Second and Brown streets in Napa, was built of locally quarried stone in 1900. It contained the Thompson, Beard and Sons department store. The Masonic Temple with an advertisement for Thompson Beard & Sons General Merchants is visible at left in this photograph circa 1900. Note the bike racks on the sidewalks and parked buggy. The building was torn down in the early 1970s as part of downtown urban renewal. The last tenant, Carithers department store, moved to a new building fronting on First street in back of the old one.
Napa History
The Unity Hose Co. of Napa on the July 4, 1896. From left, Geo. E. Goodman, Jr. Foreman, W.G. Thomspon, H.E. Roper, H.L. Johnston, Sec., D.L. Beard, H.J. Manasse, Ed. Manasse, H.C. Jacobsen, C.B. Sampson, C.E. Levison, probably Levison, H.H. Muller, N.H. Wuff, Jr., H.P. Goodman, Near., Beach McDonald, S.H. Wychaff, F.G. Easterby, W.J. Lindow and E. Beard, Asst. Foreman.
Napa History
An undated photograph of Uncle Sam Cellars on Main Street between Third and Fourth streets, bordering the Napa River. Built in 1872, this winery was one of the largest early wineries with a capacity to produce two million bottles annually. Photo by Turrill & Miller Photo of San Francisco. The river was used for transportation.
Napa History
A photograph of the interior of a Napa shoe factory, circa 1905.
Napa History
A scene of the Napa River looking north toward Third Street Bridge. In the foreground are brick industrial buildings that have since been removed to accommodate Napa Mill.
Napa History
The Napa River flooding at old Third Street Bridge in March 1907. The cupola, now removed, on the Napa County Courthouse is visible in the distance.
You can reach Cynthia Sweeney at 942-4035 or csweeney@weeklycalistogan.com.
Cynthia Sweeney
The Weekly Calistogan Editor
Cynthia Sweeney has been editor of The Weekly Calistogan since July, 2018. Previously, she was a reporter for the St. Helena Star, and North Bay Business Journal. She also spent a significant amount of time freelancing in Hawaii.
