482 entries match your criteria. Entries 101 through 200 are listed.⊲ Previous 100 — Next 100 ⊳
Historical Markers and War Memorials in Contra Costa County, California
Martinez is the county seat for Contra Costa County
Adjacent to Contra Costa County, California
Alameda County(674) ► Marin County(249) ► Sacramento County(392) ► San Francisco City and County(722) ► San Joaquin County(146) ► Solano County(114) ► Sonoma County(163) ►
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This Craftsman-Bungalow style home first appears on
a 1925 Sanborn fire map. Built by Austin Root and
Steve Johnson, it was once owned by local volunteer
fireman, Duane Elliott. Joseph and Laura Bettencourt
lived here until George and Vesta . . . — — Map (db m152844) HM
The first schoolhouse in the area was built south of Danville in 1858. In 1867, a new grammar school was built on this Front Street site. This building served until being razed in 1896 and replaced by the one-room schoolhouse pictured. It was . . . — — Map (db m200170) HM
The Danville Hotel, originally the Railroad Hotel, was built in 1891 when the Southern Pacific Railroad came to Danville. It was at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Short Street and faced west. It was owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward . . . — — Map (db m200140) HM
Marker 1:
Didicated Mar. 1922 to those who served in World War
By Danville Women's Club
Marker 2:
William Peterson
Simeon Anderson
George Freitis
Peter Byers
Lloyd Wood
Marker 3:
In memory of the men and women who served and . . . — — Map (db m201777) WM
This Queen Anne style cottage matched
several other cottages which were once located
along the east side of Hartz Avenue. Harvey R.
Eddy bought this property in 1903 and deeded
the home to his mother Mary A. Eddy. She and
other "Eddy . . . — — Map (db m152687) HM
I want to be an artist or nothing.
Eugene O’Neill, 1914
When Eugene O'Neill began writing for the stage, the American theatre was
dominated by vaudeville and romantic melodrama. Influenced by Strindberg, Ibsen, and . . . — — Map (db m200162) HM
May you have your wish and die in
your sleep soon, Jim, darling. May you rest forever in
forgiveness and peace.
Josie Hogan, A Moon For The Misbegotten
A Moon for the Misbegotten
is an elegy for . . . — — Map (db m200169) HM
That's what makes it so hard - for
all of us. We can't forget.
Mary Tyrone, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Eugene O’Neill was the son of the actor James O'Neill and Mary Ellen Quinlan. He spent
his childhood . . . — — Map (db m200168) HM
The lie of the pipe dream gives life to the whole misbegotten mad lot of us,
drunk or sober!
Larry Slade, the Iceman Cometh
Prior to his career as a playwright, O'Neill lived for a time at a waterfront dive in
New . . . — — Map (db m200167) HM
These twelve years, beloved one,
have been a journey into light - into love. You know my gratitude and my love!
Eugene O'Neill, from the dedication of Long Day's Journey into Night
to Carlotta Monterey O'Neill on their 12th . . . — — Map (db m200165) HM
We really have an ideal home with
one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen - pure
country with no taint of suburbia.
Eugene O'Neill, to a friend, 1937
With the reception of the Nobel Prize in 1936, Eugene . . . — — Map (db m200164) HM
I feel so deeply that it is not only
my work which is being honored, but the work of all
my colleagues in America - that the Nobel Prize is a
symbol of the coming of age of the American Theatre.
Eugene O'Neill, Nobel Prize . . . — — Map (db m200163) HM
He would come out of his study
at the end of the day gaunt and sometimes weeping.
Carlotta Monterey O'Neill, 1956
When he moved to Danville in 1937, O'Neill had already begun work on a cycle of
eleven plays . . . — — Map (db m200166) HM
“The Handsomest Church in the County"
The original building on this site was presided
by Reverend R.S. Symington who was the first
minister. The popular church served the
community from 1875 until 1932 when it burned
to the ground. . . . — — Map (db m153286) HM
Originally owned by August Hemme in 1852, just after
California achieved statehood, this land was purchased in 1911
by the San Francisco Protestant Orphanage Asylum.
Camp Swain was built to give foster children a warm summer
away from cold . . . — — Map (db m153113) HM
This grove of trees is dedicated to the pioneers Charles Gardner Goold [and] Allie Johnson Goold who acquired this property for a home in the year 1900 and planted these trees in 1913 — — Map (db m202117) HM
A short walk from here you will find sandstone outcroppings on which the Bay Miwok people who settled in this area many centuries ago ground acorns and other seeds into meal, slowly forming cup shaped depressions used as mortar holes.
Oak tree . . . — — Map (db m199449) HM
Once surrounded by beehives and pear
orchards, this Victorian-Queen Anne Cottage
was built by Joel Haden Boone, descendant
of Daniel Boone. Joel married Sophie,
daughter of pioneer Robert Beatty Love.
Daughter Ina Boone married James . . . — — Map (db m152831) HM
In 1921 this property was
home to carpenter Joe Foster.
In 1926, while his wife Annie was busy
making strawberry jam in the kitchen,
the house caught fire and
burned to the ground.
Joe's father rebuilt this
Craftsman-Bungalow which . . . — — Map (db m152854) HM
Settling in Danville from Virginia, early pioneers Robert B. Love and Amelia Harvey Love owned most of the land that is now “West Danville.” Once surrounded by orchards and a bee farm, this is one of the oldest remaining original farmhouses in . . . — — Map (db m202119) HM
Hard working Irish immigrants,
Edward and Mary McCauley, moved their
family to the Tassajara Valley in 1868.
They operated a 162 acre farm
near present day McCauley Road.
In 1892 they purchased the original
"Danville Hotel" from John Hartz . . . — — Map (db m152847) HM
Built for $10,000 this Spanish Eclectic is
one of the few brick buildings in Danville.
The McDonalds lived upstairs and ran the
drug store on the first floor where cigars,
stationery, magazines and hand-painted
china were sold and a roll of . . . — — Map (db m152833) HM
IN 1871, this Greek Revival style home was sold to Daniel Boone's great-grandson, Leonides L. Boone. In 1926, Melvin and Myrtle Osborn bought 47 acres here and raised cows, hogs, chickens, rabbits and horses. Melvin was the county roadmaster, loved . . . — — Map (db m199451) HM
This Victorian style house was built around 1885 and was purchased by Adolphus Podva and Mary Alma McPherson for ten gold coins. In 1911, one of their three sons, Roger and his wife Ruby May Oswill, purchased it and lived there until 1977. Ruby May . . . — — Map (db m202118) HM
The 19.7 mile San Ramon Branch Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad was built through here in 1891. Original Danville station plat consisted of 8.65 acres.
Railroad service was terminated in 1978. The right-of-way was converted soon after to the . . . — — Map (db m93668) HM
In August of 1910 the San Ramon Valley Union High School District was formed. For the first six years high school classes were held in Danville at two different locations, with two teachers and thirty students.
In 1916 ten acres were purchased at . . . — — Map (db m94020) HM
The large outcrop with the staircase and cables is Sentinel Rock. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) installed the steps and railings on Sentinel Rock sometime berween 1933 and 1942. It is now a popular climbing rock.
One of the responses of . . . — — Map (db m199523) HM
Original home of John and Leila Shuey.
John was postmaster from 1889-1893.
They owned a general store and the
hay and grain warehouse west of the
Danville Train Depot.
They lived in the house until 1938.
Adolphus LaMay and Marion Cecile . . . — — Map (db m152834) HM
This one room school opened in 1866 and operated until 1927 when for the lack of students it was consolidated with the Danville Grammar School. One of the school’s early graduates, Charlotte Wood, returned here to teach for 3 years. The building was . . . — — Map (db m202120) HM
These Native Americans lived in villages along the San Ramon Creek. They harvested Valley Oak acorns and seeds, fished for salmon and hunted birds, deer and rabbits. Evidence of their culture has been unearthed over the years including obsidian . . . — — Map (db m200174) HM
The Danville Hotel, a two-story, ten-room folk Victorian, was built after the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1891. It was owned and operated by Edward and Mary McCauley and later by daughters Mollie and Nellie, providing bed, board and Mary’s . . . — — Map (db m200684) HM
The Danville Grange was a farmers' association and the hub of the community in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Grange was instrumental in bringing many improvements to the valley over the years, such as San Ramon Valley High School, a public . . . — — Map (db m200171) HM
This magnificent Valley Oak, Quercus lobato, is estimated to date as far back as the 1600s. This tree is a Designated Heritage Resource that continues to thrive alongside the San Ramon Creek and still drops acorns as it did long ago. The Bay . . . — — Map (db m200173) HM
Within a three-foot thick sandstone bed, seen on both sides of the trail, is a layer of rock containing fossil Turritella aedificata snails. Note the slender tapered shape that has led to calling them “Tower Shells.” They are also . . . — — Map (db m200818) HM
In 1919, Congress established the national charter for the American Legion to honor veterans of the Great War. Contra Costa administered a California bond issued to build veteran's memorial halls in each town with an American Legion Post. . . . — — Map (db m93675) HM WM
Portuguese immigrant Joao “John” Antonio Xavier worked as a cook and shoe repair and married Olivia Bettencourt in 1916. Originally occupied by Ray’s Pool Hall, they acquired this building for Xavier’s Shoe Store and Olivia’s Variety Store was . . . — — Map (db m229657) HM
Mount Diablo, sacred to Native Americans who lived and worshipped there for over 5,000 years became a critical reference point for Spanish explorers in the 18th century, and American trappers and early California settlers in the 19th. In 1851 . . . — — Map (db m17541) HM
(front or street side:)
"My parents were given much help
(from the Adachis and Nabetas)
digging a well by hand and building
their house. Much help was given on
how to grow the flowers as well as
how to build the greenhouses. . . . — — Map (db m145945) HM
Arts and culture have always been a part of El Cerrito. The City's Arts and Culture Commission, the El Cerrito Arts Association, and many businesses and organizations throughout the City work to engage, promote and celebrate El Cerrito's thriving . . . — — Map (db m94184) HM
(front or street side:)
"At four in the morning they would
start preparing the flowers for market.
Grandfather would carefully put the
flowers in a basket and sling it over
his shoulder. Grandmother, carrying
a lantern, would lead him . . . — — Map (db m156299) HM
The Cerrito Theater opened Christmas Day, 1937. Architect William B. Davis included Art Deco elements and fanciful murals in the theater. The theater closed in 1966 and was restored forty years later by the El Cerrito Redevelopment Agency. — — Map (db m94120) HM
This attractive building, El Cerrito's first City Hall, was built in 1926 and replaced in 1961. It housed the City offices, both Fire and Police Departments, and even a small jail. The Council Chambers/Public Hall was upstairs, as was an apartment . . . — — Map (db m94185) HM
In front of you is the last remaining structure of El Cerrito's once vibrant Japanese American flower growing industry: the former storefront of Contra Costa Florist which was owned by the Mabuchi Family.
Hikojiro and Tomi Mabuchi, aided . . . — — Map (db m145944) HM
Juan Bautista de Anza National Trail passed through present day El Cerrito April 1, 1776 Homeland of the Huchiun-Ohlone Tribe of American Indians
The fields are green with grass and thickly covered with various . . . — — Map (db m91843) HM
With an inventory of fifty books, El Cerrito's first public library was opened in the local post office in 1913. It moved several times before expanding and relocating to Stockton Avenue in 1949, becoming the first postwar library built in the Bay . . . — — Map (db m91361) HM
El Cerrito became a city on August 23, 1917. Businessman Philip Lee lead the incorporation effort and raised bonds for essential services, including fire and police protection. Lee was elected to the City Council multiple times and served as mayor . . . — — Map (db m94106) HM
Both El Cerrito's and Richmond's populations quadrupled between 1941 and 1945 due to the massive influx of wartime shipyard workers. These workers brought new musical styles, such as blues, western swing and country. This musical melting pot . . . — — Map (db m94129) HM
From the late 1920s until the early 1950s, El Cerrito and nearby unincorporated areas were popular destinations for people to play the slots, high-low games, numbers and more while enjoying fine food and entertainment. — — Map (db m94100) HM
Fairmont School was originally built about 1903 and was El Cerrito's second school. Fires claimed many structures in early El Cerrito, including Fairmont School, which burned down in 1924. A new school was built at the same site on Stockton between . . . — — Map (db m91358) HM
El Cerrito was once a town of farms and dairies. The mild weather, lush fields, and many creeks coming down from the hills made for excellent dairy farming. Over the years, there have been about 25 dairies located in El Cerrito. — — Map (db m94131) HM
The Japanese military's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 formally brought America into World War II. Newspapers, politicians, and military officials invented or exaggerated the threat of disloyalty by Japanese Americans. Groups including . . . — — Map (db m157883) HM
Cerrito Creek and its branches carry
rain and spring water from the East Bay Hills
to San Francisco Bay. Native Americans lived along
its banks. It became the boundary between vast
Spanish land grants and, later, the county line.
The City . . . — — Map (db m155139) HM
The Festival of the Holy Ghost was started in Portugal by Queen Izabel to celebrate the end of a famine in 1296. Since the 1920s, Portuguese Americans have gathered in El Cerrito in late June to carry out this annual tradition with a parade, the . . . — — Map (db m94192) HM
In the early 1900s, Japanese immigrants planted the seeds of a remarkable nursery community in El Cerrito and Richmond. These nurseries were located mostly west of San Pablo Avenue and north of Portrero Avenue. After interment during World War II, . . . — — Map (db m94249) HM
Italian immigrants were a major ethnic community in El Cerrito. Establishments in the heart of Little Italy included Tezzi's Italian cooperativa, Fandio Bortolotti's barber shop, Cisi's Dry Goods, Louie's Club, Poloni's Bakery, . . . — — Map (db m94198) HM
Highly regarded French artisan plasterers, Joseph Laleux and Peter Allinio, both lived near here in the early 20th century. Individually, they worked on well-known projects as the Palace of Fine Arts, the Curran and Geary Theaters, and the original . . . — — Map (db m94128) HM
In the early 1900s, El Cerrito became the local center of a thriving "blueschist" quarry industry. Along with some smaller ones, Bates & Borland Quarry and the Hutchinson Quarry were two of the major local quarries that operated up to the 1930s and . . . — — Map (db m94189) HM
{North-facing side:}
This
Monument
marks the
Northern
Boundary
of the
Rancho
San Antonio
43,473 acres
granted by
Governor Pablo Vicente de Sola
acting for the King of Spain
to Don Luis Maria Peralta
August 3, . . . — — Map (db m36728) HM
Between 1904 and 1979, the Santa Fe Railway line was a busy place in El Cerrito. Santa Fe had two small stations and a three-track yard in the City. In this area, the railroad altered the creek channel. The presence of the railroad eventually . . . — — Map (db m94250) HM
In the early 1900s, streetcars ran the length of San Pablo Avenue. In those days, people could ride from the county line to Grand Canyon Park (now Alvarado Park) or out to MacDonald Avenue to the San Rafael Ferry. — — Map (db m94194) HM
Golden Gate Lanes, El Cerrito's only bowling alley was located near here. Other summer staples included Bardon's Fruit Market, Betsy's Kitchen and Big Boys Barbecue, Motorcycle Hill, the Whoopie Bumps, and Peek-a-Boo Park, an early auto-court . . . — — Map (db m94222) HM
Four hundred feet west of this plaque Victor Ramon Castro
1817 - 1900 built three adobe dwellings, the south one in
late 1830's the main one or west one in 1840's the
north in late 1840's They with later additions were
destroyed by fire April . . . — — Map (db m144264) HM
During the Spanish colonial era, the train that would become San Pablo Avenue connected many ranchos across the East Bay. By the mid-1800s, it featured a state line connecting Oakland and Martinez. Today the Avenue remains the center of El . . . — — Map (db m94248) HM
Businesses along San Pablo Avenue and the Santa Fe railroad, such as building materials companies, TEPCO (Technical Porcelain and Chinaware Company), coal dealers, monument companies, several lumberyards, a slaughterhouse, and a few furniture stores . . . — — Map (db m94188) HM
Walt Gatto's "IT" Club, located at Central and San Pablo was named for Clara Bow, the famous cinema "IT" Girl. Redd Foxx, Gypsy Rose Lee, The Vagabonds, Sally Rand, Frank Fontaine, and Johnny Mathis all played the famous "IT" Club. — — Map (db m94122) HM
1885 First Domoto nursery opens in Oakland. The Domotos pioneer California's Japanese American nursery industry and create its wholesale market.
1902 Yataro Nabeta founds the first Japanese American nursery in Contra Costa County, near . . . — — Map (db m146036) HM
El Cerrito, Spanish for "the little hill", is named for the hill to the southwest - now called Albany Hill. Like Brooks Island, the hills north Port Richmond, and the hills at China Camp across the bay, Albany Hill is a part of a range older than . . . — — Map (db m94105) HM
The Figone family's "Six Bells" restaurant stood near here for many years. Later Berkeley-born and well-known Major League Baseball player (and later manager) Billy Martin opened "Cerro Square" here in the early 1960s. — — Map (db m94124) HM
After running kitchens in early hotspots such as the "IT" Club and Six Bells, Violet Wong went on to become a culinary pioneer in El Cerrito by introducing Chinese American food. In 1945, Violet and her husband, Albert Wong, opened Violet's Dining . . . — — Map (db m94126) HM
Hill View Center, El Sobrante's first strip mall, was constructed in 1960. Though the businesses have changed over the years, the appearance of the complex has changed very little. The "ranch house" architectural style was very popular during this . . . — — Map (db m94307) HM
Here, following the base of San Pablo Ridge, ran the tracks of the California & Nevada Railroad. Incorporated in 1881, its founders had grand plans to run from Emeryville to Nevada. The line never got farther than Orinda. Until ending service in . . . — — Map (db m94300) HM
These eucalyptus trees mark the route of the narrow gauge California and Nevada railroad chartered in 1884 to connect California to the Nevada mines.
Only 23 miles of track were completed by 1891 from Emeryville to Bryant now Orinda. In addition . . . — — Map (db m133653) HM
This was the site of Pitt Arena, which featured equestrian events during the 1930s and 1940s. Owned by Babe and Claude Pitt, the arena showcased the horsemanship of the El Sobrante Horsemen's Association, San Pablo Horsemen's Association, Western . . . — — Map (db m148703) HM
El Sobrante never attracted heavy industry. Probably the largest commercial enterprise in the town was the S.P. Skow & Sons Dairy, which supplied milk in Richmond and surrounding towns. For most of that time, the dairy was located on Clark Road, . . . — — Map (db m94273) HM
In 1946, Charles Deabenderter constructed this building for his Chevrolet service and repair business. The building has remained an auto repair business since that time, although under different names and specializations. In 1974 the business was . . . — — Map (db m94277) HM
A branch of Mechanics Bank opened at this location in May 1955. Aside from its added faux roof façade and wall graphics, the building itself is a nice example of mid-century modern architecture, a recognized genre passionately preserved in many . . . — — Map (db m94279) HM
El Sobrante's first free-standing post office opened in this building in 1957, marking an important milestone in the town's development. The post office was previously located in the adjacent Lee's Variety Store (the Elks Lodge as of 2014) and . . . — — Map (db m94308) HM
The large building at this site was the home of El Sobrante's first supermarket, which opened in 1951. Owned by the Louis Store chain, the store was re-named LoRay in 1965 when the business was bought by Loretta and Ray Dickenson. A portion of the . . . — — Map (db m94299) HM
The Fry's Foods grocery chain began at this location in 1954 when Donald Fry acquired Ray's Market, owned by Ray Dickenson. Joined by his brother, Charles, in 1955, they grew that initial store into a 41-store chain which they sold in 1972. Charles . . . — — Map (db m94274) HM
You are standing at the point of the blue arrow, which lies on the border between the San Pablo and El Sobrante Ranchos. Both grants were
made by the Mexican Government to members of the Castro family in 1834 and 1841, respectively. On your right . . . — — Map (db m189391) HM
El Sobrante pioneer, John Oliver, purchased an existing business at this location in 1943, and re-opened it as a hardware store and gas station. As of 2013 it has been the longest continuously operating business in downtown El Sobrante. The . . . — — Map (db m94272) HM
Opened in 1949, the Park Theatre was the only commercial movie theatre in El Sobrante. It was owned and built by Dick Jeha, member of a prominent local family in the business community. More than just a movie house, the Park served for years as a . . . — — Map (db m94296) HM
El Sobrante gets its name from Rancho El Sobrante, "surplus" land situated between existing ranchos that in 1841 was granted by the government of Mexico to brothers Juan Jose and Victor Castro. Curiously, El Sobrante's downtown is actually within . . . — — Map (db m94305) HM
Memorial Tree
This Gingko tree is dedicated in recognition of the contributions of Chinese laborers who toiled in anonymity at the Hercules Powder Works Factory from 1881 until 1912.
(Chinese text not transcribed) — — Map (db m174519) HM
In 1860-1861 Pony Express riders stopped in Lafayette 19 times to change horses en route to San Francisco from St. Joseph, Missouri
Lafayette Historical Society
1992 — — Map (db m24461) HM
In 1927 these trees were
planted by Robert Elam McNeil
and his
wife, Gertrude,
pioneer leaders in the
Methodist
Church and in
the community. Born in
Lafayette, the McNeils
were proprietors of the
Pioneer Store from 1902 to 1935. — — Map (db m143636) HM
The founder of Lafayette built
his principal home in this vicinity in 1858.
"Squire” Brown purchased the
Rancho Acalanes in 1847, upon
which he raised cattle and grain,
and served as the miller for the
area.
He became Alcalde of the . . . — — Map (db m145017) HM
In this location on the Rancho Acalanes, Elam
and Margaret Allen Brown founded Lafayette by
building their first house, a crude affair
constructed while Mrs. Brown prepared dinner.
In 1849, they erected a horse powered grist
mill across the . . . — — Map (db m184240) HM
Fred Geils erected this saloon in 1880. It has housed various businesses through the years, including dressmaking, butcher, shoe repair and barber shops.
Dedicated by
Soroptimist Club of Lafayette-Orinda
June 29, 1971 — — Map (db m25091) HM
Built in 1893 this portion of the church
is the old schoolhouse with the original
belfry, the third school in Lafayette since
1853. In 1927 the building was purchased
to serve as the Methodist church.
A group of neighbors formed the . . . — — Map (db m143634) HM
Dedicated April 23, 1998
Lafayette House
Added Station
By
Diablo Foods
Better Homes Realty - Lafayette
Diamond K. Supply, Ltd.
Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Lafayette Historical Society
Pony Express Trail Association
{reverse . . . — — Map (db m24916) HM
Community spirit led to construction of this hall by the Lafayette Improvement Club. Land was donated by Frank and Rose Ghiglione with funds and labor provided by the townspeople. A grand opening ball and midnight supper were held on May 1, 1914. . . . — — Map (db m49861) HM
In honor of the Fallen Heroes of Contra Costa County who have sacrificed their lives in defense of our country since September 11, 2001
SPC Joseph C. Norquist, USA Martinez, Oct. 9, 2003 • LCPL Kyle D. Crowley, USMC San . . . — — Map (db m217768) WM
482 entries matched your criteria. Entries 101 through 200 are listed above. ⊲ Previous 100 — Next 100 ⊳