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 Looking toward Mill Valley Depot in downtown Mill Valley, c. 1908 |
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This page contains photographic tours of past Walks Into History organized and led by the Mill Valley Historical Society. For information about the most recent Walk Into History and other current activities sponsored by the Society, visit our Events page.
Walk Into History 2003: Homestead Valley Centennial Walk The year 2003 marked the 100th anniversary of Homestead Valley, and our annual Walk Into History over Memorial Day Weekend commemorated this event by leading walks into this unincorporated neighbor of Mill Valley. Participants learned about the history of the 1,000-home community, which began as part of William Richardson's vast Rancho Saucelito. In 1866 Samuel Throckmorton acquired the Rancho and built a lodge he named "The Homestead," and the area became known by that name. In 1903, the Tamalpais Land and Water Company subdivided Homestead Valley and sold lots and land. Walk highlights included: remnants of the original Homestead School, a 2-room schoolhouse built in 1907; a beat-poet hangout where Jack Kerouac became a "Dharma Bum"; a stroll through the oriental garden at Three Groves, an historic turn-of-the century estate; Camp Tamalpais summer camp; the site of a tragic mudslide in 1941; and the popular Stolte Grove.  The 2003 Walk Into History led residents through the Homestead Valley neighborhood in commemoration of its centennial. The Walk fittingly began at the Homestead Valley Community Center, and one of the first groups to embark is getting its introduction to the area.  The Walk passed through Three Groves, so named because of the groves of redwoods, oaks and buckeyes, all native trees, in the area. Here, a group crosses a wooden bridge over Reed Creek.  The original entry to Three Groves is called Moon Gate due to its shape.  Camp Tamalpais is an enclosed redwood-rich community with homes built mostly in the 1910's. The entrance shown above was formerly fronted by a large wooden gate.  The unofficial community meeting place, Stolte Grove, is home to many community events, including the popular Mozart Festival each summer.  At the end of the Walk, participants were greeted with music by a violinist and harpist. By decree, only non-electronic music is permitted in Stolte Grove.  One of the paths back to the starting point of the Walk was Pixie Trail, which afforded this sweeping view of part of Homestead Valley. Walk Into History 2002: Mill Valley's Historic Steps, Lanes and Paths The year 2002 marked the 100th anniversary of the Outdoor Art Club. Nearly 100 years ago on August 2, 1902, a group of 34 women assembled at Summit School to form an organization to preserve outdoor beauty. In those days, hordes of tourists came by train to Mill Valley each weekend to romp on the mountain. These 34 women, outraged at the impact of tourism on Mill Valley's environment, determined to make a difference. The Historical Society and the Outdoor Art Club jointly celebrated this centennial on May 26, 2002. The Outdoor Art Club held an Open House on that day, and the Annual Walk Into History focused on Mill Valley's historic steps, lanes and path system. The homes of several Outdoor Art Club founders were pointed out on this route. Guides led small groups on a stroll taking about two hours.  A sign outside the Outdoor Art Club announced the 2002 Walk into History.  The Oldenburgs welcomed visitors to the Club and Walk.  Carol Staiger, left, and Josette Gavin sold past issues of the Mill Valley Historical Revue.  Linda Lathan, left, and Historical Society President Joan Murray had the enviable job of staffing the refreshments table.  Peggy Chenoweth, left, and Gene Stocking pose outside the Outdoor Art Club.  Bill Devlin, back row, second from left, and his tour group coalesced for a group photo before leaving on their Walk.  The Mill Valley Historical Society, the Outdoor Art Club and the Rotary Club of Mill Valley held a contest that challenged residents to design a sign that could adorn some of the many steps, lanes and paths around town. The winner, Marianne Sigg, was presented with a $300 award in the Outdoor Art Club. This is the winning design. Walk Into History 2001: Rails through the Redwoods: A Walk into Mill Valley's Railroad History Groups participating in the 2001 Walk Into History stopped first at the Mill Valley Depot to see where the trains used to pick up passengers in downtown Mill Valley. Until the 1940's, trains took passengers to Sausalito where they'd board a ferry to San Francisco. Visitors from San Francisco would take the train into Mill Valley for a hike up the mountain. From 1896 to 1929, passengers could board the "Crookedest Railroad in the World" with 281 curves and approximately 22 trestles over creek beds meandering up Blithedale Canyon culminating at the top of Mt. Tamalpais. From the downtown plaza, passengers boarded a Cable Car Trolley that transported them deep into redwood-studded Blithedale Canyon. There they walked to the start of the Old Railroad Grade, where the Mountain Railroad began its climb up the mountain. They saw station remnants of the Lee Street Local, also known as the "Dinky," which carried Blithedale Canyon residents to and from town. Next, the group started on a "walk in time" along the old railroad bed back to the Outdoor Art Club. Guides pointed out historical landmarks, including the sites of the George T. Marsh estate, the Abbey Hotel and the Eastland Hotel. The tour groups also walked through the grounds of the Redwood Lodge, property purchased in the 1890 auction. At the Outdoor Art Club, participants viewed a display of old railroad photos. Bill Provines, who worked on the Mountain Railroad as a fireman in his teens, told tales of what it was like when the railroad carried passengers from around the world to the top of Mount Tamalpais. Steaming Up Tamalpais, a video by Cris Chater, presented interviews of early Mill Valley residents and their memories of the railroad.  The friendly folks staffing the Membership table send off one of many groups departing on the Walk from the Outdoor Art Club.  A group arrives at Blithedale Canyon after its guided tour on the Cable Car Trolley ride from Lytton Square.  The Mt Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway trains used to ride over this railroad bridge.  Sometimes residents permit us to enter their property for a closer look. This is the Henry Bridge House, built in the 1890's.  The Torii Gate was built in 1920 by Japanese carpenters hired by Donna Cole, an author and frequent traveller to Japan. Videotapes Available Videotapes of all Walks from 2001 on, created by Tim Amyx, are now available for those who couldn't attend or who wish to remember the events. Copies can be checked out at the Mill Valley Public Library, or purchased in the Mill Valley History Room at the library for $10 per copy. You can also arrange to have Tim send you a copy of either program by contacting him at amyxgascon@tam.net. |