OLD MILL MARKET HIKERS’ TRAIL MAP
Dear Members and Friends of the Mill Valley Historical Society:
We hope that you had an opportunity to read the article in the January 1st Marin Independent Journal, “Historic Mill Valley trails map mural proposed for Old Mill Park“.
Some may already know the story of the salvaging of the map from the side of Bill’s Fix-It Shop (aka Thran’s Store, aka Old Mill Market, aka Clark’s Grocery, aka aka aka!), and its subsequent storage courtesy of one of our Members. Some may also remember that over three years ago, former MVHS President Tim Amyx began working to bring this map back to the public eye.
Mill Valley’s Old Mill Market Hikers’ Trail Map > click to enlarge
The project has gone through many iterations, and at long last, the proposal is up for final approval by the City of Mill Valley’s Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
(Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict this will occur at the same time as our February First Wednesday event, featuring the wonderful Laurie Cohen, Conductor and Director of the Mill Valley Philharmonic.)
We hope you will join us in taking a few moments to write a letter of support. (Several sample letters are included here for those who would like suggestions about the content.)
Letters can be emailed by February 1st to:
City of Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission
recreate@cityofmillvalley.org
City of Mill Valley Parks Superintendent Brandon Stewart
bstewart@cityofmillvalley.org
City of Mill Valley Operations Superintendent Denise Andrews
dandrews@cityofmillvalley.org
Thank you in advance for your support of what we believe will be a positive and enduring contribution to our community!
Letter #1
As a resident of Mill Valley, I am writing to express my support for the Old Mill Market Hikers’ Trail Map installation project in Old Mill Park
This project helps to preserve the character of Mill Valley, and records something that would be difficult to replicate later. It also is appropriate to display the outdoor recreation aspect of the sign in Old Mill Park, the foot of Mount Tam in the spot that housed the Gravity Car for so long.
It is my understanding that the Historical Society has spent a huge amount of time creating this exhibit. The map itself is attractive, and well-complimented by the accompanying interpretive text. It will serve as both living history and also as a form of “outdoor art” which will enrich our community and remind us of the connections that we have to both Mill Valley and to one another.
We have very few opportunities for living history to be so accessibly displayed, and I hope that the City will do everything possible to bring this project to fruition.
Letter #2
I would like to express my support for the installation of this historical hikers’ trail map in Old Mill Park. As a child growing up in Mill Valley in the 1950s, I can recall seeing this map when I went to the Church of Our Saviour up the street or ran into the market after playing in Old Mill Park, but at that time, I couldn’t appreciate its significance.
Since the late 19th century, Mill Valley has always attracted hikers, campers, hunters and fishers to its beautiful natural surroundings and awe-inspiring mountain. When the NW Pacific railway spur into what is now downtown was built, crowds came from San Francisco to appreciate what was then termed “Outdoor Art”, that is, the desire for people to have close contact with nature as a necessity for their mental and physical well-being, and began hiking straight off the train, down Throckmorton and up the mountain. Later, when the Golden Gate Bridge was built to make automobile travel from San Francisco easier, even larger crowds came in droves at weekends and summers to enjoy the town and the mountain. Today the mountain is still a haven for hikers, picnickers, mountain bikers, and play-goers, integral to the identity of Mill Valley.
It is incredibly fortunate that the Mill Valley Historical Society (MVHS) members salvaged the map from the wall of the market so many years ago, having had the prescience to see how it could be so important to future generations of Mill Valley residents and visitors, as a reminder of the past and inspiration for the future. Old Mill Park is the ideal location for the map because the Dipsea Steps and so many trails begin near it, and the interpretive text gives meaning for those who are unfamiliar with the mountain and its trails.
Please support this project to enable children of the 2050s (and adults!) to appreciate the rich history of Mt. Tam’s trails.
Letter #3
I am writing to express my support for the installation of the historic Old Mill Market Hikers’ Trail Map in Old Mill Park
The map represents an essential aspect of the character of Mill Valley, and reflects the high value that was and still is placed on outdoor recreation. The location in Old Mill Park is very appropriate, both in its scale and as an historic replacement for the Gravity Car, which was moved to the Depot Plaza.
The map itself is attractive, and well-complimented by the accompanying interpretive text. It will serve as both living history and also as a form of “outdoor art” which will enrich our community and remind us of the connections that we have to both Mill Valley and to one another.
We have very few opportunities for living history to be so accessibly displayed, and I hope that the City will do everything possible to bring this project to fruition.