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 […]
Upcoming Speaker Series
On August 24, 2010 Caltrans, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and other project partners marked an historic moment for the Caldecott Fourth Bore Project. Standing next to a monolithic custom-designed, electric-powered road header, dignitaries gathered at the tunnel’s eastern portal in Orinda to mark the beginning of a project that had been years in […]
President’s Message
We here at the Lafayette Historical Society hope you are enjoying your summer. We have been busy planning various activities and programs for the summer months that we hope you will enjoy. Our First Annual Treasure Hunt was a great success!! Clues were emailed to participants on Friday, June 14, and participants had the […]
Key Events of the 20th Century East Bay Interpreted Through Aerial Views and Images of an Electric Railroad
Stu Swiedler last spoke for the Lafayette Historical Society in April 2011. His presentation received excellent reviews and comments. In the two years since that presentation, he has expanded his collection and will share his findings with us. He will be discussing the role of the East Bay Hills in WWII and the Korean War. […]
A Light at the End of the Tunnel – Yes, THAT Tunnel — The Caldecott Fourth Bore Project
On August 24, 2010 Caltrans, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and other project partners marked an historic moment for the Caldecott Fourth Bore Project. Standing next to a monolithic custom-designed, electric-powered road header, dignitaries gathered at the tunnel’s eastern portal in Orinda to mark the beginning of a project that had been years in […]
Our Volunteers
Amy Conley Amy grew up in Napa and moved to Contra Costa County so she could attend UC Berkeley where she majored in Philosophy. Her family loves history, and she and her sister took extra history classes in high school and college so they compete with their father who loved to rant about World […]
Please Join us for our Annual Meeting, Potluck and Historical Presentation
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be in the largest earthquake unleashed by the Hayward Fault? Richard Schwartz will offer first-hand accounts of people who lived through the October 21, 1868 Hayward Fault Earthquake. Their stories are riveting. Mr. Schwartz will show many photos and illustrations to accompany his presentation of […]
President’s Message
The Contra Costa Library is 100 years old this year and the Lafayette Historical Society joined the Moraga and Orinda Historical Societies in celebrating this momentous occasion by participating in a program at the Lafayette Library. Attendees enjoyed hearing from Supervisor Candace Anderson, County Librarian Barbara Flynn, and viewed a visual history of the three […]
