Lafayette Historical Society

Lafayette, California

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Oral History: George Wasson — July 22nd, 2013

January 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Note: The title card in the video is incorrect. The month is July. Summary: George has made numerous contributions to the growth of Lafayette from a small town to the thriving community it is today. He and his family moved to Lafayette in 1957, he became involved in the incorporation campaign, and served as Lafayette’s […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Government, Oral History

Oral History: Irene Bunker — 1961

December 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

Bunker moved to Lafayette in 1913. Her house was built in 1906. She describes early days of Town Hall, its dances dinners; the Horse Show, parades, and the Improvement Club. There was a great sense of community in Lafayette. Money was raised by volunteers, for needs in Lafayette. Bunker shares memories of the early Railroad, […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Early Settlers, Oral History

Oral History: Patricia Whitehead Wendt — October 6th, 2014

December 29, 2016 2 Comments

Summary: In the late 1940s, Patricia’s grandfather purchased 4 acres, and her father one acre, in Happy Valley. They chose the location because they wanted to live in the country, with walnut trees and plenty of land. She discovered a fossilized turtle on the property. The industrialist Henry J, Kaiser, along with other neighbors, attended […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Early Resident, Oral History

Oral History: Barbara Langlois — March 24th, 2016

December 28, 2016 2 Comments

Summary: Barbara Langlois was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission in 1973, only five years after moving to Lafayette from El Cerrito. The next year, she won election to the City Council, and in 1975 she became the first woman to serve as Mayor. In addition to her duties as an elected official, Barbara was […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: City Government, Langeac Society, Oral History

Oral History: Ed Stokes — January 26th, 2007

December 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

Summary: Longtime owner and operator of Diablo Foods, as well as a prominent community leader, Ed Stokes has been Citizen of the Year and won many awards for civic involvement. In this interview, he talks about his early experiences in business and shares some of the management principles that have led him to be successful […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Business, Early Resident, Oral History

Oral History: Dawn Eames — March 4th, 2014

December 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

Masaji “Harry” and Shigeko Ides were married shortly before the start of World War II. During the war they were sent to internment camps in California, Arkansas, and Texas. In the 1950s, they established a nursery at 3295 Mt. Diablo Boulevard. Dawn and her three older sisters were raised in a house on the same […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Business, Oral History

Oral History: Bill McNeil — June 8th, 2016

December 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

This interview took place at the time that an antique barrel, which once held corn syrup, was added to the Lafayette Historical Society’s collection. The barrel had originally been in use at the general store in Lafayette that was owned and operated by Bill’s grandfather Robert McNeil. Bill, now 93 years of age, recalls some […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Oral History, Pioneer

Oral History: Marianne Millette (Malley) — March 5th, 2014

November 30, 2016 Leave a Comment

Summary: Marianne talks about growing up in Lafayette when it was a small, mostly farming community where everyone knew each other by name. In 1932, she moved here with her family from Oakland when she was 2 years old. In 1910, her grandparents Francis and Agnes Malley had purchased land east of Upper Happy Valley […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Early Resident, Oral History

Oral History: Theodore “Ted” Murphey — 11-29-1976

November 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ted Murphey opened Murphey’s Valley Prescription Pharmacy in downtown Lafayette in 1947. He and his wife Linda lived above the store. They describe their business and also many of the other businesses in the community, giving a picture of the commercial side of Lafayette in that era.

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Business, Oral History

Oral History: Charles Reynolds — March 20th, 1979

November 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

Summary: Charles’ father bought a farm on the west end of Mt. Diablo Boulevard in 1905. His well-illustrated interview describes what it was like to grow up at a time when fruit orchards and ranches were the dominant businesses in the town. Oral History: Angela Broadhead: Mr. Reynolds, will you tell us when you and […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Early Resident, Oral History

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Location and Hours

History Room
open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Lafayette Library
& Learning Center,
enter on Golden Gate Way
925-385-2297


Mailing Address: PO Box 133 Lafayette, CA 94549

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Your Memories Tell The Story of Lafayette

Memories of living and working in Lafayette are precious. Let us help you share those memories with others who value the town’s history. Call the Lafayette Historical Society’s Oral History line to set up a brief oral history phone interview with one of our friendly volunteers. Together, we can preserve the vibrant narrative of our town for generations to come.


Call 925-297-5397

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Recent Posts

  • Oral History: Maeve Pessis — July 22, 2009
  • Lafayette Library Display – Honoring the Bicentennial Farewell Tour of the Marquis de Lafayette
  • Oral History: Gwen Lennox — August 8th, 2009
  • Oral History: Lois Laine — June 12th, 2009
  • Out Of The Archives: The 1942 Acalanes High School Yearbook

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