Lafayette Historical Society

Lafayette, California

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Oral History: Anne Fiorentino Grodin – February, 2005

February 3, 2024 1 Comment

Anne Grodin Title Card

Summary: Anne Fiorentino Grodin was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in February, 2005. Anne describes how Lafayette grew and changed during the 50 years from 1955 to 2005. Along with other family members she helped operate Valley Disposal from 1979 to 1989, when the company was sold to Waste Management Inc. Soon afterwards she became active […]

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

Oral History: Jack Marchant – November, 1984

January 27, 2024 2 Comments

Jack Marchant Title Card

Summary: Jack Marchant was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 1984. He grew up in Berkeley and went to Cal. In 1933 he became active as a homebuilder in Berkeley and Kensington. After service in World War II and being a teacher for a few years Jack resumed his homebuilding career in Lafayette, where he […]

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

Oral History: Bob Sherman – October, 2005

December 9, 2023 1 Comment

Bob Sherman

Summary: Bob Sherman was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in October, 2005. Bob taught and coached divers and swimmers for over 30 years at the Sherman Swim School, which he founded in 1961. He was also a physical education teacher in the Orinda School System. A champion diver himself, Bob trained divers at UC Berkeley as […]

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

Oral History: Ed Stokes – November, 2004

November 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

Ed Stokes Title Card

Summary: Ed Stokes was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November 2004. He founded Diablo Foods in 1968, and 37 years later he was still working six days a week. In addition to operating the store, he was an active participant in and supporter of many Lafayette civic organizations, and was honored to be selected as […]

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

Oral History: E. G. Craig – November, 2004

October 14, 2023 2 Comments

E G Craig Title Card

Summary: E.G. Craig was interviewed by Julie Sullivan in November, 2004. He moved to Lafayette and opened an architectural office in 1956. Over the next 4 decades he developed over 30 homes in the city, along with three office complexes. He practiced for 12 years before Lafayette became a city, then for three decades after. […]

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

Oral History: Miler Magrath – October, 2005

September 28, 2023 1 Comment

Miler Magrath Title Card

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 […]

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

Oral History: Mark Silverman — October, 2022

August 12, 2023 2 Comments

Mark Silverman Title Card

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 […]

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

Oral History: Mary-Louise Lynch and Timothy Lynch, Jr. — October 25th, 2022

July 17, 2023 Leave a Comment

Mary Louise Lynch

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 […]

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

Oral History: Hirsh Morton – April, 2006

May 27, 2023 1 Comment

Hirsh Morton Title Card

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 […]

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

Oral History: Sallie Gavey Rasmussen – July, 2008

April 22, 2023 1 Comment

Sallie Gavey Rasmussen

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 […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Business, 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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