Volunteers at the Lafayette Historical Society know history is around every corner, sometimes quite literally. Take Rossi and Angelo Streets in Lafayette. Some citizens might be familiar with the immigrant pioneer Rossi family, but Angelo Street owes its name to a son of the Rossi clan, named, what else, Angelo Rossi. The history behind these […]
Meet Our Board and Volunteers
Sherril Barber Sherril was raised in Lafayette and went through her school years in local schools. She studied at San Jose State where she received her California teaching credential. She returned to Lafayette and worked in special education in the Lafayette and Acalanes Union High School District schools. She retired from the Acalanes Union High […]
February 13, 2013 — The History of Diablo State Park (Speaker Series)
Dr. Gallagher will speak to us about the history of one of the most remarkable landmarks in our region. Mount Diablo is an isolated peak of 3,864 feet (1,178 m), visible from most of the San Francisco Bay Area and much of northern California. Mount Diablo appears to be a double pyramid. North Peak […]
December 2, 2012 — National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Event (Speaker Series)
In honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the Lafayette Historical Society will be hosting two speakers who will discuss the causes and effects of Pearl Harbor on December 2nd at 1 pm in the Community Hall. Pearl Harbor Day, celebrated on December 7th, honors those who served and gave their lives on the day […]
An Oldtimer’s Reflections of Lafayette (Oliver Hamlin)
I was asked by the Lafayette Historical Society to jot down some of my memories of the Hamlin property in Lafayette. My first remembrance of my life in Lafayette started in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s when I was growing up in Piedmont. Those were the days before the Caldecot tunnel was opened. You […]
December 2, 2012 — “How Could it be Pearl?” The Japanese Surprise Attack – December 7, 1941 (Speaker Series)
Americans were stunned by the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941; but why were our national leaders so shocked despite the fact that they received so many clues that indicated that an attack could occur at any time? Wayne Korsinen taught the lessons of Pearl Harbor at Antioch High School for more than 30 years. […]
“Voices of Lafayette” Book Now Available
Due to popular demand, the Lafayette Historical Society has had a new round of the Voices of Lafayette book printed. Written by Julie Sullivan, it contains a collection of oral histories that goes beyond objective images and artifacts to flesh out life in Lafayette. The book contains recollections from people like Lou Borghesani of Lou’s Bar […]
We Thought You Might Be Interested
On Saturday, October 13th, the Martinez Historical Society is hosting a tour of eight (8) private homes representing the architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in historical Martinez. The tour begins at the Shell Club House with its intact Arts & Craft interior and the adjacent Shell Oil Museum – both located at 1635 Pacheco Drive. The tour includes the 1890 Borland House (home of […]
President’s Message
A visit to the Lafayette Library to check out or return books could provide an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge of Lafayette history. Laura Torkelson and John Stevens have put together the first of four informative displays on the neighborhoods of Lafayette to better chronicle the development of our town. The first installment is on display and covers the downtown section […]
The Lafayette Post Office Celebrates 155 Years!
There are many institutions, places, and people that make a town feel like a real town, but none has cache like the post office. Every American city likes to have one: a place to connect with the rest of the world and maybe get the town gossip. This year, Lafayette’s very own post office celebrates 155 years in the […]
