Earlier this year we were approached by a Boy Scout who was preparing to do his Eagle Scout project. That young man was Marc Davis. He wanted to make an app for us that would allow people to use their smartphones to go on our walking tour of Lafayette landmarks. Recently, he completed that […]
Who is Mamie Joseph?
While looking through archives and databases at the Lafayette Historical Society, two photographs of a mystery woman have surfaced. One includes Mamie Joseph in a traditional class photo at the Moraga School, with all participants looking solemnly at the camera. Mamie is named with 17 other identified students, while three of her classmates remain unknown. […]
We Think You Might be Interested!
One of our new volunteers is a Saint Mary’s College graduate and thought there might be some SMC Art and Art History alumni out there that might be interested in this upcoming event. Call for Entries: Juried Art and Art History Alumni Exhibition January 7 – January 31, 2014 Curator: Lily Manderville, SMC ’10 […]
Please Join Us in Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Through Mr. Fitzpatrick’s presentation we will gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the immortal Gettysburg Address in the context of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in July 1863. + He will discuss the enormous personal, political and policy pressures impacting President Lincoln as he prepared the speech and when he presented it […]
President’s Message
It’s always hard to say good bye to a good friend and our organization lost a wonderful friend in August when Ollie Hamlin passed away. Ollie’s roots ran deep in Lafayette and although he didn’t start his life in Lafayette, he spent over 60 years in our city. He was a generous benefactor of our […]
The 1950s — Red Scare Not Confined to Red Square, Part 4
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when open gambling along the Tunnel Strip was the hottest story under the sun….the Lafayette Sun, that is. A special issue of the Hollywood Reporter was circulated throughout this area, debunking revelations of illegal—or, at least, shady doings—brought to light by Sun Publisher Herman […]
Another Happy Ending!
Remember the lost high school diploma that we talked about in our January 2013 newsletter? Well, thanks to our website its owner has come in to claim it! Here’s the story from Jennifer Lee Ululani Johnson: “In January 2012, after moving from Las Vegas back to NoCal, I decided it was time to […]
Our Board Members Have Interesting Hobbies!
The “Day in the Life of Lafayette” was a community-created snapshot of Lafayette on Summer Solstice, June 21st sponsored by the City of Lafayette. It was intended to show the community from the lens of those who work, live, or play here as a timeline of that day, from 12:01 AM through 11:59 PM. Two […]
In Memoriam – Ollie Hamlin
Ollie was born and raised in Piedmont and remembered visiting his grandfather’s ranch in Lafayette during the summer and Easter vacations where he learned to milk cows and shoot rifles. In 1940, Ollie’s father built a house on the original Hamlin Ranch at the top of the hill going toward Rheem and called it Sky […]
The 1950s — The Heat Goes On….., Part 3
After the 1950 New Year’s Eve local slots extravaganza, and the January 17th Crossroads Restaurant gathering of gambling interests (including, just maybe, Eastern mobsters), a new voice joins the fray: Jimmie Tarantino, owner-publisher of Hollywood Life. A special, free, Contra Costa edition of that publication was distributed throughout Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Martinez and Richmond […]
