Summary: Miler Magrath was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in October, 2005. In 1990 Miler took over management of Diamond K Supply from his father William, who had operated the business for over 40 years. Miler describes how the customer base shifted over the years from farmers and ranchers to builders and developers, and how Diamond […]
Lafayette Reservoir Display At Whole Foods
The Lafayette Reservoir, whether one goes there often or rarely, is in the communal mind of Lafayette…right now, more so, with the controversy over the height of the tower. The display by the Lafayette Historical Society on the side of Whole Foods across from Blue Gingko, follows the saga of East Bay Mud, the organization […]
Oral History: Mark Silverman — October, 2022
Summary: Mark Silverman was interviewed by Andree Hurst in October, 2022. Mark’s parents, Herman and Eleanor Silverman, bought the “Lafayette Sun” newspaper in 1947 when they were both in their mid-twenties. From the beginning they were both involved in the editorial and business activity required to put out a weekly paper. They were not afraid […]
Oral History: Mary-Louise Lynch and Timothy Lynch, Jr. — October 25th, 2022
Summary: Mary-Louise and her son Timothy Lynch, Jr. were interviewed by Andree Hurst on October 25, 2022. Mary-Louise and her husband Timothy John Lynch, Sr. built a house in Lafayette in 1953 and raised 7 children, one of whom is Tim. Her husband worked as a liquor wholesaler supplying local restaurants like Petar’s and the […]
Oral History: Hirsh Morton – April, 2006
Summary: Hirsh Morton was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in April, 2006. Hirsh came to Lafayette in 1952 as the designer for well-known builder Jack Marchant. Later he operated an architectural firm in partnership with Frank Essert. Hirsh served on the city planning commission, and he also sought out opportunities to contribute his services to public […]
Lafayette History Rabbit Holes – Acalanes Radio Station KCEQ: Las Lomas Memorializes Del Valle & Additional Info On The Closure
In the 1980 El Caballero, Las Lomas devoted a section of the yearbook to memorializing the closure of Del Valle. They talk about how the closure affected a lot of students and faculty who ended up at Las Lomas. We’ve included the relevant sections below. At the end, there is also an excerpt from The […]
Oral History: Sallie Gavey Rasmussen – July, 2008
Summary: Sallie Gavey Rasmussen was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in July, 2008. Her father, Warren Gavey, operated an auto body shop at 3442 Mt. Diablo Boulevard from 1946 to 1965, on a lot which contained both their home and the auto repair business. Sallie remembers what it was like to grow up and go through […]
Lafayette History Rabbit Holes – Acalanes Radio Station KCEQ: Del Valle 1978-1979 FM Radio Club & The Closure Of Del Valle
In the 1979 Del Valle yearbook… we find an entry for the 1978-1979 Del Valle Radio Club. The members are listed as follows: Charlie Jursch Kevin Ridout David Crane Chris Verdugo Ross Archer Jonathan Hymer Bill Lewis Kirk Weir Darrell Haydon Ron Mickaels Miguel Flach-Alaznar John Zib According to the 1980 Aklan (Acalanes High School […]
Oral History: Jim Shierry – November, 2004
Summary: Jim Shierry was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 2004. Jim learned the clothing business at an early age by working alongside his father, who was a manufacturer’s rep. After serving in the Army Air Corps during the Second World War he decided to open his own clothing store, Shierry Men’s Apparel, in La […]
Oral History: Vic Pagliero – September, 2005
Summary: Vic Pagaierò was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in September 2005. He was born in Oakland in 1923. At age 13 he moved to Moraga and began a long career as a ranch hand and farmer. He married Ruby in 1949, and that year he also went to work operating a rototiller for landowners in […]
