Vignettes

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…

Mill Valley Record June 14, 1907 NO MORE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ON TAMALPAIS AFTER DARK BOISTEROUS CROWDS WHO HAVE FRIGHTENED WOMEN AND BUILT DANGEROUS FIRES ON MOUNTAIN WILL BE TURNED BACK TOMORROW NIGHT. Some three or four hundred people who have heretofore swarmed into the Valley on Saturday evenings to take the tramp up Mt. Tamalpais…

John Collier (May 4, 1884 – May 8, 1968), a sociologist and writer, was an American social reformer and Native American advocate. He served as Commissioner for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, from 1933 to 1945. He was chiefly responsible for the “Indian New Deal,” especially the Indian…

At the 1890 land auction in Old Mill Park, German-born Bernard and Rose Grethel bought property on Miller Ave. opposite the depot. They built a two-story building at #18 and in 1893 opened Eastland Bakery on the ground floor. At that time, the town and the railroad depot were called both Eastland and Mill Valley. …

Spanish missionaries brought cattle to Marin in the early 19th century. In 1838 William Richardson acquired Rancho Sausalito. The 1847 census showed that he had 2800 head of cattle. Ranches throughout California produced hides and beef tallow to meet the global demand for both. Hides were stripped from slaughtered cattle and dried in the sun…