Vignettes

Roque Moraes (1883 – 1963) came to the Bay Area from the Azores at age 20. He came to Mill Valley later and ran a dairy on leased land in the Alto area for 36 years.  In 1940 he purchased the Wilkins Ranch. The barn on Highway 101 near the Tiburon Wye is visible in…

In 1930, the west end of Silva Island was dynamited away to accommodate the north end of the Richardson Bay Bridge. The island had been acquired by Anthony De Silva in 1873. Preliminary archaeological work done in 1907 identified the northeast side of Silva Island as a prehistoric site. It was named “Marin 17”.  In…

In 1952 the 4-H Valley Riders was established to serve teenagers who loved horses.  In 1959 as an outgrowth of this club, the Southern Marin Horsemen’s Association was formed to continue the guidance and instruction to the juniors, but also to provide an opportunity for adults to join and be active in one of the…

The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed qualified citizens to file an application to claim a federal land grant to take possession of certain lands.  In the early 1870’s Dr. John Cushing heard about two parcels in a canyon at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais totaling about 350 acres that were available for homesteading. Dr. Cushing…

In 1908, the San Francisco Call paid tribute to Mill Valley. “Noted for its pretty bungalows and its beautiful redwood trees which have been preserved to this day with jealous pride. Mill Valley, situated at the base of famous Mount Tamalpais, is truly one of nature’s garden spots. The broad and winding streets of the little town,…

On June 21, 1912 the Mill Valley Record reported, “Mr. and Mrs. Ralston White will occupy their beautiful and commodious home, the Garden of Allah, next week. Mrs. White has been busily engaged the past few weeks completing the furnishing of this romantically attractive home. Soon after occupancy the Whites will give a housewarming at which there…