Annexation to Mill Valley
May, 2004
Throughout its history, Homestead Valley has periodically rejected Mill Valley’s annexation proposals. The first such proposal occurred at a 1908 meeting of the Mill Valley Improvement Club – Homestead residents that were invited to the meeting rejected the idea.
The following editorial in the Jan. 17, 1920 issue of the Mill Valley Record tried sweet talk:
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HOMESTEAD?
Nothing is the matter with Homestead. She’s all right. Homestead Valley is one of the most marvelously beautiful spots in all this world, as is said over and over again. Homestead also possesses some of the most worthy and delightful of people among its residents. This unorganized little hamlet is suffering for want of organization. It is normally a part of Mill Valley, and it were well for its interests to be identified with those of Mill Valley. In other words, a number of unpleasant problems would be disposed of if Homestead were to incorporate with Mill Valley. Just now this member of the community seems to be a bone of contention, but it would not be if it were to enter the door that is open to it. The school districts are already identical; why should not this territory be identical in all its interests with those of the Mill Valley incorporation? There is mail delivery twice a day waiting as an inducement, and other things beside, and also escape from a number of annoyances. We say to Homestead, “Try it.” You could not lose out.
Homestead rejected subsequent annexation proposals in 1925, 1946, 1950 and 1966. But in 1951, Mill Valley annexed Homestead’s commercial strip on Miller from Montford to Reed. The objective was sales tax revenue. The 23 commercial lots and 3 residential lots met all the requirements of the “Annexation of Uninhabited Territory Act of 1939.” See theJune 2002 history article.
By a quirk of fate, Homestead annexed part of Mill Valley. In 1988, the Homestead Valley Land Trust acquired ownership of 50 streets and 30 lanes in Mill Valley. See the March 2001 history article.
If you have comments or questions about this article or other topics
pertaining to the history of Homestead Valley,
please feel free to e-mail Chuck Oldenburg.