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 Locust Station in the early 20th century. |
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For a complete index of articles about the History of Homestead Valley, click here.  Reflection - March, 2010  Chuck Oldenburg reflects on his life in Homestead Valley. Click on the image to see a larger version. My first monthly history article appeared in April, 2000. After ten years, and 120 articles, I guess I should explain how I got started. On Feb. 3, 1999, a professional historian gave an illustrated presentation at the Mill Valley Historical Society's First Wednesday Program entitled, "The Mountain's Southern Shore: History of Tamalpais Valley." A few months later, Don Seitas, the impresario of the First Wednesday Program, asked me to make a presentation on Homestead's history. This required reflection. In 1963, Christina and I purchased the historic Stolte house from Kurt and Jo Schlesinger. Jo, who was president of the Homestead Valley Improvement Club, made it clear that the Schlesingers would sell us the house only if we agreed to be active in the community. A few months after moving in I was asked to report to Brown's Hall and set up tables and chairs for the Candlelight Concert. Thus began 47 years of community service. Christina and I became board members of the Homestead Valley Community Association, the Homestead Valley Land Trust and County Services Area #14. We also served on various committees and continue to work on special projects. After reflection, I responded to Don, "Why not?" After all, Christina and I were part of Homestead's history. I prepared for the talk by spending a great deal of time doing research in the History Room of the Mill Valley Public Library. I put together a presentation with several photos and maps. It was suggested that I write a book on the subject. Sounded like too much work — writing a monthly article for the Homestead Headlines turned out to be fun. Veale House - February, 2010    From left, Veale House around 1910, in the 1920s, and around 1940. Click on each image to see a larger version. Hawthorne Ave., a one-block long street with 10 houses, had no name in 1903 when Homestead Valley was subdivided. In 1904, John C. Bone bought the block of land on the west side of the street from Evergreen to LaVerne. In 1905, he constructed a house on the Evergreen end. He later subdivided the rest of the property into four lots. By 1913, all five lots had houses. By 1916, the street had acquired the name Hawthorne Ave. The lot on the LaVerne end was purchased by William Veale. In 1909 he built a small house close to the north property line on the flat part of the lot. The photo on the left was taken in about 1910. Note Mt. Tam in the distance and the water tank on the hill that is today circumscribed by Sunrise, Molino and Janes Avenues. The white house on the right was built in 1906. It has a privy behind it. The 1910 census lists William Veale, age 39, a stationary engineer, his wife Mamie, 31, and four children: Mervyn, 9, Helen, 8, Rachel, 3, and Margaret, 3 months. Both Mervyn and Helen entered Homestead School on August 1, 1910 having transferred from another school. The photo in the middle was taken from LaVerne in the 1920s. Note the brown house between the Veale house and the white house. It was built in 1913. In the early 1930s, the Veale house was moved closer to LaVerne and a larger house was built around it. The photo on the right was taken from LaVerne in about 1940. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Mervyn's sons, Leonard and Wally Veale, spent summers at their grandparents house. Homestead Valley was much cooler than where they lived in eastern Contra Costa County. Homestead School - a Chaotic Start - January, 2010  Homestead School in 1908. Click on the image to see a larger version. In 1905, the Tamalpais Land & Water Company donated a half-acre parcel on the corner of Janes and Montford as the site of the first school in Homestead Valley. In 1907, the new building was described as, "a well built frame structure containing two large, well ventilated class rooms, ante rooms, and a big basement." William Mahoney was the architect. There was only one other school in the Mill Valley School District. Homestead School opened on January 13, 1908, with 50 first and second graders who had been attending the school on Summit Ave. Only 19 pupils lived in Homestead Valley; the rest came from Mill Valley, Millwood and Alto. Enrollment averaged 46 for the semester, 28 boys and 18 girls aged 6 to 14. They were categorized into five groups independent of age. The teacher was Coral Coats. She earned $50/month, and is to be commended for her efforts during Homestead School's first semester. School ended on June 14, 1908. The second class began on August 3, 1908 with 78 first and second graders, 46 boys and 32 girls. Only 36 lived in Homestead Valley. They were categorized into seven groups. Coral Coats' salary had been increased to $75/month. School hours were 9 am to 2 pm, with a 20-minute recess in the morning. Lunch was noon to 1 pm. The daily program started out with opening exercises and music for 20 minutes, followed by phonics, number work, marching, reading, spelling, writing and drawing. In April, 1909, 25 pupils transferred to a new school in Tamalpais Park, surely a welcomed change. School ended on June 9, 1909. The third class began on August 2, 1909 with 29 first and second graders, 18 boys and 11 girls categorized in 4 groups. All lived in Homestead Valley except for two who lived one block from the border. Miss Kelly was the teacher. School ended on June 3, 1910. At last, a more normal school year. 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