This Week in Marin History
Archives
January 2012
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This Week in Marin History
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"Stage Setting"Jan. 1936 California Out of Doors: "In the Mountain Theatre planting of backstage screens and wings with chinquapin and other shrubs is now underway. Very careful preparation has been made to insure survival and some very fine clumps are being brought in. From many years of experience in trying to get a satisfactory backdrop of greenery ready for the annual Mountain Play, I can say no work being done there is of any more importance. Artificial touches or scenic effects are absolutely out of place. Concealed entrances and exits through these blocks of shrubbery will be utilized by future directors to dramatic advantage." |
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"Self Supporting"Jan. 13, 1939 Larkspur-Corte Madera News: "The Larkspur Fire Department is one of the most unique ones in the United States. The department owns the famous "Rose Bowl" where dances are held weekly during the summer months, and the dance place, one of the few out-door ones in the Bay region, takes in sufficient (sic) during season to pay all the expenses of the first department. It is not thought that any other town in the United States of like, or larger size, can boast a self-supporting fire organization." Downstairs from the firehouse, which still stands on Magnolia Ave., were two jail cells that held "inebriated Rose bowl patrons." Though the cells are gone, the window bars remain. |
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"Call of the North"On Jan. 12, 1876, novelist Jack London was born in San Francisco, and years later he rhapsodized about the land across the bay: "Marin County. demonstrates that there is absolutely no comparison between the northern and southern part of California... Of all the parts of the world which I have visited, Northern California, and especially Marin County, is in my opinion, the real paradise of the earth. The Riviera, the sights of Egypt, and the wonders of India are but the works of mankind, while here Mother Nature has lavished her best efforts. I have written the 'Call of the Wild,' which some of my friends refer to as my 'best seller,' but the thing nearest my heart is the 'Call of the North'." |
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"Liberal Shift"On Jan. 2, 1962, Peter Behr was sworn in as Marin County Supervisor, replacing J. Walter Blair, the first Supervisor in California history to be successfully recalled. Blair, who represented southern Marin, had allied with two other Supervisors to issue a stop-work order on construction of the Civic Center, and the last straw with county residents was his move to abolish the office of County Administrator. Blair's ouster was a catalyst for a more "liberal shift" in Marin, once overwhelmingly Republican. (As late as 1960 it had the second highest percentage of registered Republicans for any California county.) A slow-growth sentiment would eventually prevail in county politics. |
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"Fish Story"In Jan. 1961, the Elephant Rock Fishing Pier jutting off Point Tiburon next to the Caprice Restaurant was created in memory of an 11-year-old boy who drowned after slipping off a railroad pier. Not waiting for permits, residents took it upon themselves to build a 75-foot long pier "dedicated to all girls and boys under 16 years of age who love to fish." A circular fishing platform at the end of the pier surrounds Elephant Rock, probably named for its size and shape. (An 1850 map refers to the natural landmark as "Pulpeti de Padre," or Father's Pulpit.) Today the pier is a favorite of anglers of all ages, who catch everything from perch to sturgeon. |
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