Vignette 212 > Burros and Tally-ho

In 1892, Charles James Dowd founded a livery stable on Throckmorton opposite Madrona. The stable had horses for hire, not only for pleasure but also for construction work. He competed with the Mill Valley Burro Company for burro rentals. Dowd turned the management of burro rentals over to his 12-year old son. The kids at Summit School teased him as being the “King of the Jack Asses.”  Visitors who came to Mill Valley could rent a burro to enjoy the trails of Mt. Tam.  Burros were especially popular with children although they could be temperamental. Going up hill they would sometimes stop only to be pulled or pushed under protest. But once headed homeward they resisted any attempt to interfere with their progress. In addition to renting horses and burros, Dowd’s most prestigious rental was the Tally-Ho, an elegant, shining black stagecoach that could accommodate up to twelve passengers.  The driver handled the reins for four horses. The Tally-Ho was a “four-in-hand.”  It was popular not only with the Mill Valley elite, but also with groups from San Francisco. The Tally-Ho was rented for sightseeing, partying and getting to a distant scenic picnic site in Marin.