Livermore in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

William M. Mendenhall 1823 – 1911 / De Anza Expedition Campsite

<i>Side 1:</i> William M. Mendenhall 1823 – 1911 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

1. Side 1: William M. Mendenhall 1823 – 1911 Marker

Inscription.
[Side 1:] William M. Mendenhall
1823 – 1911 Pioneer settler, a descendant of Quakers who emigrated from England with William Penn. He crossed the plains on horseback in 1845. Was a member of Fremont’s Battalion in 1846 and soon after engaged in farming near San Jose, then near Danville. Came to Livermore Valley in the late 1850’s. In 1869, in honor of the completion of the railroad through the Valley, he laid out a new town. His plan included gifts of land for a depot, for schools, churches and other civic needs. He named the town in honor of his friend and neighbor ROBERT LIVERMORE the first settler of the area.

This memorial is contributed to the City of Livermore by the Livermore Rotary Club in recognition of our City’s Centennial Year, 1969.
Rotary International
John Sarboraria
President Livermore Rotary Club [Side 2:]
De Anza Expedition 1775 - 76
Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza by decree of Carlos III of Spain led an expedition near this site – The mission being to colonize the San Francisco Bay Area.

Campsite No. 102 is 11 miles from here out Tesla Road
Dedicated April 4, 1976.

Erected 1969 by Livermore Rotary

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Club.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1869.

Location. 37° 40.537′ N, 121° 45.451′ W. Marker is in Livermore, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Livermore Avenue. Marker is located at the western edge of the Livermore Civic Center parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 S Livermore Ave, Livermore CA 94550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Livermore Rodeo (here, next to this marker); This Cherry Tree is a Gift (approx. ¼ mile away); J.S. van Buskirk / John Luders House (approx. 0.3 miles away); J.C. Safford House (approx. 0.4 miles away); F.L. Savage House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ernest George Wente House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Judge Manley J. Clark House (approx. 0.4 miles away); L.E. Wright Home (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livermore.

Also see . . .
1. De Anza National Historic Trail History & Culture. This National Park Service website tells the history of

<i>Side 2:</i> De Anza Expedition Campsite Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

2. Side 2: De Anza Expedition Campsite Marker

the trail, maps, and gives links to journals of the expedition members and “Web De Anza”, An Interactive Study environment on Spanish Exploration and Colonization of "Alta California" 1774-1776 (Submitted on June 15, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Historic Tombstone from Livermore Found in Southern California Back Yard. A Mercury News.com news article from June 19, 2009. Report of the finding of William Mendenhall's Tombstone. (Submitted on August 22, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. Relocated Markers
All three plaques have been removed and relocated from their original location. They are now mounted to a half-wall in the plaza of the recently constructed City of Livermore Meeting Hall.

— Submitted May 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Campsite Location Information image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

3. Campsite Location Information

Campsite No. 102 is 11 miles from here out Tesla Road. Dedicated April 4, 1978.

These brass tablets are now located on the half-wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 30, 2022

4. These brass tablets are now located on the half-wall

Time Capsule image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

5. Time Capsule

(This bronze tablet is still at the original location) Citizens of Livermore
buried this Millennium
Time Capsule
January 14, 2000
to be opened
in December 2099

Previous Location of the Bronze Tablets (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

6. Previous Location of the Bronze Tablets (rear)

Previous Location of the Bronze Tablets (front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2009

7. Previous Location of the Bronze Tablets (front)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,367 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on May 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on May 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 15, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.