Modesto in Stanislaus County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hometown Heroes

Historic Graffiti Cruise Route

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado

1. Hometown Heroes Marker

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Hometown Heroes. Historic Graffiti Cruise Route. "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." -Joseph Campbell. , For a relatively small town, Modesto has produced its fair share of hometown heroes. Not heroes in the sense of curing cancer, or winning peace. But, people who have been very successful in their high-profile careers and made an impact beyond our city limits. , These are some of the notable people that have made a difference in our world-culturally, socially, economically, or politically. It's quite a cast of characters that started their journey in Modesto. , Winemakers Ernest and Julio Gallo, who started their multi-national winery in a small warehouse on 11th and D Streets in 1933. , Filmmaker George Lucas, whose break-out film American Graffiti was based on his teenage years cruising 10th and 11th streets. , Royal Robbins, a pioneer of American rock climbing, whose competitive spirit helped change the sport forever. , Actor and two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner, who honed his craft at Modesto Junior College. , Olympic athletes Suzy Powell (discus), Erin Cafaro (rowing), Ali Cox (rowing) and Tisha Venturini-Hoch (soccer). , Former Executive Secretary of UNICEF, Ann Veneman, who also served as California's Secretary of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under George W. Bush, the first and only woman to hold that position. , Sports agent Jeff Moorad, a Downey High School graduate, who is a former owner of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. , Emmy Award-winning casting director Robert Ulrich, a Davis High grad, known for his casting work on "Glee" and other prime time hit TV Shows. Actress Kim Johnston Ulrich, a native of Ripon, who starred on the daytime soap opera "As the World Turns" and the nighttime drama "Passions". , Actor and singer Harve Presnell, who debuted his baritone voice at Modesto High School. , Motorcycle racer and racing team owner Kenny Roberts, the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship. , NBA star Chuck Hayes, who attended Modesto Christian High School and later played for the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings. , Actor Timothy Olyphant, a Beyer High Grad and swimming standout, who starred as Seth Bullock in the HBO series "Deadwood" and Raylen Givens in "Justified." , Major league baseball's Ray Lankford, a Davis High grad who went on to play center field for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. , Mike Piccinini and Nick Tocco, who founded Save Mart Supermarkets, and Mike's son, Bob, the current Chairman and CEO. , Downey High's Joe Rudi, an All-Star, who won three consecutive World Series rings playing left field for the Oakland A's. , Max and Verda Foster, founders of Foster Farms, whose 80-acre farm grew into the West's most trusted poultry company. , Guitarist Michael Allsup, who played lead for the popular rock group, Three Dog Night. , Legendary car customizer Gene Winfield, a Modesto High School grad, who created world-famous modified cars for racers, collectors, movies and television. , Other notables include philanthropists June and John Rogers, character actor Jack Elam, one-time resident, actress Carol Channing, chef Michael Chiarello, actor James Marsters, Broadway performers Jeremy Stolle and Morgan James, photographer Roman Loranc, singer-songwriter Brett Dennen, as well as musician and band-master Frank "Proof" Mancini. , In 2010, the Gallo Center for the Arts started a speaker series entitled, "Hometown Heroes", which showcased the accomplishments of these individuals. In the style of "Inside the Actor's Studio", Jim Johnson, arts education coordinator for the Center and Dean Emeritus of the Modesto Junior College Division of Arts, Humanities, and Communications, are moderator and interviewer. The series is a fund-raiser for the Center., Were You There? Tell us your story at: [email protected] Researched by: Ken White . www.ModestoCruiseRoute.com

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
-Joseph Campbell

For a relatively small town, Modesto has produced its fair share of hometown heroes. Not heroes in the sense of curing cancer, or winning peace. But, people who have been very successful in their high-profile careers and made an impact beyond our city limits.

These are some of the notable people that have made a difference in our world-culturally, socially, economically, or politically. It's quite a cast of characters that started their journey in Modesto.

Winemakers Ernest and Julio Gallo, who started their multi-national winery in a small warehouse on 11th and D Streets in 1933.

Filmmaker George Lucas, whose break-out film American Graffiti was based on his teenage years cruising 10th and 11th streets.

Royal Robbins, a pioneer of American rock climbing, whose competitive spirit helped change the sport forever.

Actor and two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner, who honed his craft at Modesto Junior College.

Olympic athletes Suzy Powell (discus), Erin Cafaro (rowing), Ali Cox (rowing) and Tisha Venturini-Hoch (soccer).

Former Executive Secretary of UNICEF, Ann Veneman, who also served as California's Secretary

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of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under George W. Bush, the first and only woman to hold that position.

Sports agent Jeff Moorad, a Downey High School graduate, who is a former owner of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

Emmy Award-winning casting director Robert Ulrich, a Davis High grad, known for his casting work on "Glee" and other prime time hit TV Shows. Actress Kim Johnston Ulrich, a native of Ripon, who starred on the daytime soap opera "As the World Turns" and the nighttime drama "Passions".

Actor and singer Harve Presnell, who debuted his baritone voice at Modesto High School.

Motorcycle racer and racing team owner Kenny Roberts, the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship.

NBA star Chuck Hayes, who attended Modesto Christian High School and later played for the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.

Actor Timothy Olyphant, a Beyer High Grad and swimming standout, who starred as Seth Bullock in the HBO series "Deadwood" and Raylen Givens in "Justified."

Major league baseball's Ray Lankford, a Davis High grad who went on to play center field for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.

Mike Piccinini and Nick Tocco, who founded Save Mart Supermarkets, and Mike's son, Bob, the current Chairman and CEO.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 5, 2023

2. Hometown Heroes Marker

Downey High's Joe Rudi, an All-Star, who won three consecutive World Series rings playing left field for the Oakland A's.

Max and Verda Foster, founders of Foster Farms, whose 80-acre farm grew into the West's most trusted poultry company.

Guitarist Michael Allsup, who played lead for the popular rock group, Three Dog Night.

Legendary car customizer Gene Winfield, a Modesto High School grad, who created world-famous modified cars for racers, collectors, movies and television.

Other notables include philanthropists June and John Rogers, character actor Jack Elam, one-time resident, actress Carol Channing, chef Michael Chiarello, actor James Marsters, Broadway performers Jeremy Stolle and Morgan James, photographer Roman Loranc, singer-songwriter Brett Dennen, as well as musician and band-master Frank "Proof" Mancini.

In 2010, the Gallo Center for the Arts started a speaker series entitled, "Hometown Heroes", which showcased the accomplishments of these individuals. In the style of "Inside the Actor's Studio", Jim Johnson, arts education coordinator for the Center and Dean Emeritus of the Modesto Junior College Division of Arts, Humanities, and Communications, are moderator and interviewer. The series is a fund-raiser for the Center.

Were You There? Tell us your story at: [email protected]
Researched

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by: Ken White • www.ModestoCruiseRoute.com

Erected by Modesto Convention & Visitor's Bureau.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Historic Graffiti Cruise Route series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 37° 38.348′ N, 120° 59.82′ W. Marker is in Modesto, California, in Stanislaus County. Marker is at the intersection of 11th Street and H Street, on the right when traveling south on 11th Street. The resin marker is mounted to a metal post on the southern corner at the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Modesto CA 95354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Downtown Culture, Arts & Music (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Key Classic Cars (about 300 feet away); Modesto City Offices (about 400 feet away); The High Schools (about 400 feet away); Graffiti Summer (about 500 feet away); The Drive-Ins (about 500 feet away); The Origin of Cruising (about 500 feet away); The Music of American Graffiti (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Modesto.

More about this marker. Inset Images:
Ernest and Julio Gallo, George Lucas, Ann Veneman, Roman Loranc

Also see . . . Modesto USA.

""American Graffiti" was the first big film from Modesto native George Lucas. This music-themed night on the town in 1962 lit a fire that created the nostalgia movement of the 1970s and ‘80s, leading to the resurgence of ‘50s music and hit TV series like "Happy Days;" and it all started right here in Modesto, USA."

(Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.