Martha Foster Abbot (1891-1987)
Discusses life at Fairhills, Arthur William Foster's 180-acre estate in San Rafael.
James D. Adams(1894-1986)
A long-time resident of Marin recalls his World War experiences, his career as a lawyer, and his extensive involvement with the community.
Valerie Ansel (1892-1988)
Marin teacher and principal in San Anselmo for over 45 years; recalls her students and the various changes in teaching.
Fritz Barkan (1884-1984)
A diamond broker who studied his craft in Amsterdam and Paris, Mr. Barkan shares his memories of Mill Valley and San Francisco before and after the 1906 earthquake.
Peter S. Behr
(1915-1997)
Former lawyer, State Senator, County Supervisor, Mayor of Mill Valley, Chairman of the Tomales Bay Advisory Committee, and an ardent conservationist who was called the "Mr. Integrity" of local politics.
Virginia Borland (1916-1981)
Librarian for the Civic Center branch of the Marin County Free Library; describes her career and civic activities.
Ruth Boerike White Bowie (1888-1977)
Describes, among other things, living in Willis Polk-designed "Garden of Allah" estate in Mill Valley with her first husband, Ralston White.
NEW!Elizabeth Boyd (1903-1995)
A descendent of a pioneer Marin family, recalls her ancestor's covered wagon journey and discusses being one of the first women in the securities business, along with her environmental and conservation efforts.
Rose Briones (1883-1983)
Granddaughter of the grantee of Rancho Baulenes; was living in what had been the one-room schoolhouse she attended as a child; describes Woodville and Bolinas in the early 1900s.
Walter Brown (1888-1980)
The son of the coachman and majordomo for the Kent family; reminiscences about the his life on the Kent property, and the Kents themselves.
Robert Brusatori (1906-1982)
A Director of the Marin Municipal Water District discusses the history of water use and utilities management in Marin County.
Mabel Dodge Bullis
(1883-1982)
A long-time resident of Bolinas, and the author of Early Bolinas Memories, shares her family's history, including that of her father, who was County Surveyor.
Marion Hayes Cain (1905?-1991)
Former Director of the Mountain Play Association; discusses the history of the plays since 1913.
Helen Caletti (1906-2000)
Recollections of a volunteer at Sunny Hill Children's Services who founded the Bargain Box thrift store to raise money for the facility.
Robert Carson (1902- )
Chairman of the committee that brought Hamilton Field to Marin; tells of efforts by Marvelous Marin and the Redwood Empire Association to create the Golden Gate Bridge District.
Clifford Conly, Jr. (1914-2002)
A former architect and decorator, Clifford is an active conservationist who describes his interest in saving Marin land for future generations.
Marius Cordone (1899-1993)
Of the Guiseppe Cordone family and the Cordone Gardens, located where Drake High School stands today; discusses his career in real estate.
William Glenn Courtright (1903-1989)
A longtime resident of Larkspur provides valuable information on places and homes throughout Larkspur, Kentfield, Greenbrae, and the Ross Valley during the 1920s and 30s.
Genevieve Bothin De Limur (1894-1983)
Daughter of philanthropist and Ross real estate developer Henry Bothin, describes her family's contributions to Marin County, including the Arequipa Sanatorium.
Janet Dewing (1907-1978)
Discusses her life and career as a concert pianist of international fame.
Harrison Dibblee Jr. (1899-1986)
Descendant of Albert Dibblee who came to Marin in the 1860s and bought large land holdings from James Ross. Describes the Fernhill estate in Ross, life in West Marin and the early years in Bolinas.
Melville and Fred Dickson (1918-1984 and 1910-1991)
Brothers born on the 600-acre ranch their grandfather purchased in 1856; ranch life and the Dollar family are described.
Nell Doherty (1885-1984)
Describes turn-of-the-century Larkspur including life along the Corte Madera Creek.
Earl Dolcini (1929- )
A rancher of Swiss heritage, describes his family's ranching in Marin, and his perception of the future of ranching.
Helen Thompson Dreyfus (1908-1995)
Family built Tree Haven in 1891 and have been associated with Mill Valley ever since.
Bertram K. Dunshee (1891-1986)
Conservationist involved in the acquisition of state park land including Shell Beach, Camp Taylor, Tomales State Park, Angel Island and Pt. Reyes.
Helen Hind Fortune (1909-1996)
Daughter of the founder and president of the first Board of Trustees of the Katherine Branson School; shares her memories of life at the school in the 1920s and '30s.
Alan James Galloway (1904-1978)
Internationally known geologist and botanist; worked closely with Alice Eastwood at the California Academy of Sciences, and collected rare Kern County wildflowers.
Dr. Jack Gazzola (1919-2007)
An orthodontist; shares memories of his childhood in Sausalito, including the boat yards, yacht club, hunting, sailing, and his schooling.
Arthur Giddings (1903-1982)
An electrical engineer relates his experience with the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Marin during the 1920s.
Willa Gilbert (1887-1986)
Born in San Rafael in 1887, describes her family's 10-acre estate and early San Rafael.
Eugenie Watson Grady (1907-2005)
Great-granddaughter of Edward Watson who built a saw mill in Monterey in 1824; granddaughter of the only native-born Californian who saw service in the Civil War.
Robert Gunn (1909-1987)
The former mayor of Sausalito, tells the history of his family and this town.
Lucia Sherman Gromme (1901-1984)
Was raised on the family estate formerly known as Sunnyside, which is presently the site of the Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross.
Ralph Grossi (1949-)
An accomplished Novato dairyman and advocate for farmland preservation, who headed the Marin Farm Bureau, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and later, the American Farmland Trust.
Alice
Codoni Hall (1898-1991)
Raised on a West Marin dairy ranch, Alice tells about her Swiss-Italian family,
in particular her father who became well-known for being the chief hog and cattle
buyer in the area.
Margaret Nelson Hall
(1899-1996)
Related by marriage to the family that built and operated the Olema Hotel; describes
teaching at the one-room schoolhouse in Olema.
Beatrice Howitt
(1891-1982)
An accomplished bacteriologist, botanist and avid conservationist; daughter
of Dr. Henry Orton Howitt.
Virginia Keating
(1904-2003)
Pioneer of the Marin County Free Library system, creator of the Bookmobile and
founder of the California Room. Describes the beginnings of the Library in the
1920s, her accomplishments, and long tenure in the system.
Anne T. Kent (1892-1981)
Married to Thomas Kent, second son of Congressman William Kent, Anne tells of
how she came to Marin County from Long Island; her recollections of the Kent
family; the creation of Muir Woods; Stinson Beach; and the annual Old Settlers
Day celebration at the Tamalpais Centre. She also talks about the history of
the Marin Municipal Water District and the creation of many of the county's
dams and reservoirs.
Roger Kent (1906-1980)
Son of William Kent, Roger tells of his days at Yale Law School, his work at
the general counsel of the Defense Secretary's office, his political life in
Northern California and his dealings with Richard Nixon.
Mary
King (1908-1992)
Discusses the importance of the West Point Inn, and her involvement preserving
this Mt. Tamalpais stop formerly used by railway riders, and today enjoyed by
hikers and visitors; describes her three-day ordeal during the storm of 1982.
Dr. Grace Dollar
Dickson Kleiser (1915-2006)
The granddaughter of Captain Robert Dollar; describes her family's history and
her life on the 500-acre family ranch.
James Leach (1887-1979)
Founder of Leach Realty Co.; built 300 homes in Marin in 50 years.
Katherine Solomons Lilienthal (1897-1993)
The daughter of Lucius Solomons and wife of Arthur Gerstle Lilienthal recalls prominent Jewish families of the San Francisco Bay Area and reflects upon the features of Marin County in the early twentieth century, especially in Larkspur and San Rafael.
Irma Leonhart Litz
(1894-1986)
Describes her life in San Anselmo circa 1903, including school days, town parades,
the snowstorm of 1912 and taking buggy rides. She also discusses early hotels,
stores and houses in the area.
George Livermore
(1914- )
Architect and son of Caroline Sealy Livermore shares memories of his mother's
community involvement, as well as the family's Napa County estate, “Montesol.”
Floyd Longley
(1909-1998)
Relates life and times in Bolinas and at Gospel Flats, where his family has
resided since 1852.
John MacPhail Jr.
(1932-1991)
Tells of his family's business, McPhail's, Inc., established in 1884 when his
grandfather opened a livery stable in San Rafael.
NEW!Alice Albert Marcus
(1898-1993)
The daughter of a successful pioneer merchant and civic leader, who owned the first dry goods store, founded Albert's Department Stores, built the first office building in San Rafael, and donated land for a park there.
Genevieve Martinelli
(1901-1996)
Widow of Superior Court Judge Jordan Martinelli, Genevieve describes her early
days in San Rafael and Marin County and her involvement in civic and charitable
organizations.
Nellie Codoni McIsaac
(1882-1978)
An early west Marin resident who grew up on a dairy ranch, Nellie recalls day-to-day
life and memories of the area.
Ellen Redding McNeil
(1899-1987)
Schoolteacher at the One Room Schoolhouse on the Burdell Ranch; describes life
on the 560-acre Redding Ranch.
William James Miller
III (1909-1996)
Tells of his great-grandfather who led emigrants across the Sierra section of
the California Trail which would later become the main route for the 1849 Gold
Rush. He also tells of life on the family's 8,000 acre ranch and life in Bolinas.
William Paul Murray
Jr. (1918- )
President of the Bank of Marin and Chairman of the Board of the Independent
Bank Shares Corporation, and an active member of the community.
Helen
Van Cleave Park (1899 -1989)
Co-authored with Jack Mason Early Marin and The Making of Marin;
research interest in Mexican land grants.
Frank Pepper
(1913-2003)
Member of the fifth-generation Bolinas family, relates his life at sea at sixteen,
his service during World War II aboard an Army Hospital ship, and his subsequent
time in the Maritime Service.
Donald C. Perry
(1901-1987)
Great-grandson of James Ross, the third owner of the Rancho Punta de Quentin
which covered most of the Ross Valley.
Geneva Hensill
Reinhardt (1903-1988)
Granddaughter of Amos Stinson, who purchased land that became Stinson Beach;
speaks about the Stinson Family and Willow Camp.
Lloyd Roach (1901-1981)
Retired banker and sugar refiner, Lloyd relates his love of Mt. Tamalpais, the
Dipsea Race, Bolinas, Willow Camp and the Stinson Beach area; he has helped
to preserve GGNRA land and the Pt. Reyes National Seashore.
Catherine Pixley
Robson (1909-1986)
Descendant of Frank Pixley, a California pioneer and editor of The Argonaut.
Catherine describes early residents of Corte Madera and Marin and describes
her grandparents' life on their Owl's Wood farm in Corte Madera.
Francis S. Rodgers
(1902-1991)
Family has been in Nicasio since 1866 and ran the General Store there; recalls
life in Nicasio and San Rafael from 1920 on.
Frances Rowland
(1918-2002)
Describes her world travels and her involvement with the only estate winery
in Marin County.
Herbert Rowland
(1911-1977)
Rowland's great grandfather was Ignacio Pacheco, the recipient of the Mexican
Land Grant called Rancho de San Jose. He describes the division of the rancho
to the heirs and tells of preservation of the 1880 Gumesendo Pacheco home.
Vera Schultz
(1902-1995)
Marin's first lady in city and county government; helped realize the Frank Lloyd
Wright-designed Civic Center; Mill Valley's first City Councilwoman and the
first woman to serve on the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
Ida Scott (1896-1989)
Describes her active involvement in public service and Marin charitable organizations.
Dr. Leo L. Stanley
(1886-1976)
Former San Quentin Prison doctor and author of several books.
Boyd Stewart
(1903-2004)
Raised on a dairy ranches in Nicasio and Olema; discusses his life and the history
of West Marin.
Catherine O'Caine
Strittmatter (1887-1983)
Daughter of the lighthouse keeper at the Farallone Islands, Catherine describes
her childhood there.
Charles
Tacchi (1908-1992)
Gives details of his boyhood on the San Quentin peninsula and in San Rafael
and delineates the sites of old landmarks including the Reading Ranch, Schutzen
Park, and the Beatrice Michelena Movie Studio.
Edward L. Thompson (1906-1989)
Tells the history of the family-owned Marin Cheese Factory, founded by his grandfather, a Marin pioneer.
Pierce Thompson (1905?-1994)
The grandson of the founder of the Marin Cheese Company, established 1865, Pierce describes the cheese making process and the traditions passed down through the generations.
Betty Coleman Times (1939-2001)
Chronicles her years of public service to Marin County as a library clerk, the Head of Technical Services and involvement in county government.
George Tong (1930- )
Relates the history of his family in China and in Marin, and his 30 year association with the Fairfax Market.
Robert H. Trumbull, Jr. (1909-1991)
Discusses his family's involvement in the Novato Land Company, later the Trumbull Ranch, which ran dairy ranches and fruit farms.
Karl Untermann (1912-1999)
Owner of the West End Nursery in San Rafael, tells of his apprenticeship to his uncle who began the business, and changes in the nursery since 1954.
William Murray Vanderbilt (1914-1998)
The descendent of an early Marin family, William talks about his father, who was the President of the Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, a founder of the Marin Historical Society and famous flower breeder; William also discusses his own contributions as the Director of the Marin Historical Society.
Grace Wellman (1904-1990)
Involved in the Marin Conservation League; tells of its four women founders
and their long-lasting accomplishments.
Helen Wilkins, and Kenneth Wilkins (1893-1988), and (1927-1991)
Reminiscences of the 1,400-acre Wilkins Ranch, a former dairy ranch on the Bolinas Lagoon, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Miriam Gerstle Wornum (1898-1989)
Shares stories of the Gerstle Family; their homes in San Francisco and San Rafael; family friends; her career as an artist; and her overseas experiences.
Aileen Ziegler (1904-1992)
A native of San Rafael and descendent of German immigrants, relates the story of her family's homes, as well as their 1600-acre Sleepy Hollow Dairy Ranch.
