Historical Markers and War Memorials in Danville, California
Martinez is the county seat for Contra Costa County
Danville is in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County(481) ► ADJACENT TO CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Alameda County(674) ► Marin County(249) ► Sacramento County(392) ► San Francisco City and County(722) ► San Joaquin County(143) ► Solano County(114) ► Sonoma County(163) ►
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On West Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
The Purple Heart is specifically a combat decoration and is our nation’s oldest military medal. The award was first created by General George Washington in 1782 and was called the Badge of Military Merit. A Purple Heart Community is an expression of . . . — — Map (db m200949) WM
On San Ramon Valley Road near Podva Road, on the right when traveling south.
Albert J. Young and Mary Shuey Young built this Victorian home in 1870. This was her home for 63 years.
A.J. Young was a long time local educator and church leader. — — Map (db m94012) HM
On El Portal near Danville Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
Many pioneers from Alamo and surrounding towns have been buried here since the 1850s. Alamo Cemetery is part of the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District. We dedicate this plaque in the 125th year of the first recorded burial January 1856. — — Map (db m94013) HM
Bronze Plaque:
Dedicated To All Who Served, Supported and Sacrificed for Our Freedom
Black Granite Maker One:
Freedom Is Not Free
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are creates equal, that they are . . . — — Map (db m209660) WM
On West Linda Mesa Avenue at Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Linda Mesa Avenue.
Original home of fireman Austin Root,
descendent of the Boone and Love
families, this Craftsman-Bungalow moved
here from the corner of Hartz and Linda
Mesa to make way for Shell Oil in 1950.
Owner of Root's Bar and Restaurant, Austin
opened . . . — — Map (db m153288) HM
On Vista Grande Street, on the right when traveling south.
Bret Harte became famous for writing short stories about the Gold Rush era. In 1863 he wrote "A Legend of Monte Diablo." Later in 1870, he authored "The Luck of Roaring Camp" and then "A First Family of Tassajara" in 1892.
From October through . . . — — Map (db m199441) HM
On Hartz Avenue south of Church Street, on the left when traveling north.
This Craftsman-Bungalow style "cottage"
was characteristic of the Great Depression.
Once the home of Lorraine and Manuel
"Manny” Cabral, this popular style remains
a well-maintained example of similar
buildings along Hartz Ave. The . . . — — Map (db m152832) HM
On Hartz Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This 1921 Craftsman-Bungalow was
originally owned by Tony Cabral who drove
a cattle truck from Tassajara Valley to the
Train Depot. Kids in town waited in front
of Elliot's Bar and helped him load prize-
winning cattle for the Sacramento State . . . — — Map (db m152857) HM
On Danville Boulevard at El Portal on Danville Boulevard.
Fages, Commandante at Monterey, vainly looked for a way across San Francisco Bay. With Juan Crespi, Franciscan missionary, 14 soldiers, a muleteer and an Indian servant, he trekked along Carquinez Strait, thence eastward nearly to Antioch. Turning . . . — — Map (db m91703) HM
On Diablo Avenue near Rose Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
This property, site of the first building constructed in 1858, was owned by pioneer Daniel Inman (1827-1908) for whom Danville was named.
The property was purchased by James E. Close (1848-1904), who operated a blacksmith shop, in 1875. In 1907 . . . — — Map (db m93670) HM
This early home was constructed by the Howard brothers
in 1866 and is the oldest original building in downtown Danville.
It was built for Postmaster Michael and
Matilda Cohen behind the Cohen general store. Dr.
Victor and Claire Vecki moved . . . — — Map (db m152843) HM
On East Prospect Avenue west of Front Street, on the left when traveling east.
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
On Front Street near East Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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
On Hartz Avenue near Short Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
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
On Hartz Avenue at East Prospect Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Hartz Avenue.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
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
On Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Hartz Avenue north of Short Street, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Hartz Avenue at Short Street, on the left when traveling north on Hartz Avenue.
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
On Hartz Avenue south of Daiblo Road, on the left when traveling north.
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
On Diablo Road at Serena Lane, on the right when traveling west on Diablo Road.
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
Near Povda Road at San Ramon Valley Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
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
On West Prospect Avenue near Railroad Avenue when traveling north.
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
On Danville Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
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
On School Street at Hartz Avenue, on the left when traveling east on School Street.
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
On Camino Tassajara at Wood Ranch Road, on the right when traveling west on Camino Tassajara.
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
On Hartz Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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
On Front Street near East Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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
Near Wall Point Road, on the left when traveling south.
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
On East Prospect Avenue near Hartz Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
On Hartz Avenue north of East Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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
