Summary: In this interview, Guy Atwood—Lafayette’s 1994 Citizen of the Year honoree—looks back on his 43 years of active involvement in civic affairs. As a 5-year member (also serving two terms as chair) of the Planning Commission, Guy drafted Lafayette’s original Hillside and Open Space Ordinances. He was also closely involved with the effort to […]
Oral History: Adelaide Gerow (Allen) — June 28th, 1962
In one of our oldest oral histories, conducted in 1962, Dorothy Mutnick interviews Adelaide Gerow (Allen) at age 94. “Aunt Addie” shares her own memories of Lafayette at the end of the 19th century, and also recounts stories which were told to her by family members who actually accompanied Elam Brown and Margaret Allen on […]
Oral History: Nancy Flood — July 2nd, 2008
Nancy Flood’s family first settled in Lafayette during the 1850s. Each generation of her family contributed to the development of Lafayette in many ways. Nancy has lived here all her life. She taught in Lafayette schools for 41 years. She is active in the Lafayette Improvement Association and Lafayette Town Hall. She is also a […]
Oral History: Anne Grodin — May 12th, 2009
Anne Grodin was Mayor of Lafayette from 1993 to 1994 and Citizen of the Year in 1999. She discusses all of the complications and work involved in the development of the Lafayette Library, which opened in the Fall of 2009.
Oral History: Bob Bru — March 7th, 2014
Bob Bru was born in London, England. He was raised, and went to school in New York City. He served as a navigator on a B17 bomber during World War II. He spent the last two years of the war as a POW. After the war, he decided to relocate to the West Coast, and […]
Oral History: Franke Family — March 6th, 1978
In the early 1930s, Rudolph Franke purchased 10-plus acres in Happy Valley near where Los Arabis Road is today. The property was initially used as a summer retreat. Mr. Franke later added a pool, a pavilion for hosting larger parties, and then built a year-round family home in 1937. Additional parts of the original Franke […]
From the Archives: Formation of the Lafayette Historical Society – April 26th, 1971 — Parts 1 & 2
From the Archives: A Tour of the Oliveira House/A talk with Benjamin B. Shaw III
George Wasson conducts a tour of the Oliveria home shortly before it was demolished for new construction. It was purchased by the Oliveiria family in 1902. The 42-acre property was located in Burton Valley on Oliveira Lane. It is now homes. The property was once pear and walnut orchards.
From the Archives: Lafayette Sesquicentennial – September 20th, 1998
A celebration of Lafayette’s 150th birthday starts with a tour of the Lafayette Cemetery, has demonstrations of various gold panning methods, dancers in period costumes, culminating with a parade along MT. Diablo Boulevard and the third annual Lafayette Arts and Wine Festival.
Oral History: Theron Nelson — May 2nd, 2014
Summary: Theron Nelson is a Lafayette resident since 1950. He was instrumental in forming the Laf-Frantics in 1956. The Lafayette Community Center acquired an 11-acre property on St. Marys Road, which is now Buckeye Fields that is home of the Lafayette Little League. Oral History: Ryan McKinley: This is an Oral History interview with Mr. […]
