This Week in Marin History
Archives
March 2010

Birds of a feather

On March 22, 1972, California lamented that “only the boldest and most imaginative measures, implemented now, can prevent the ultimate deterioration of the environment of this state.” Ten years before, the Marin Audubon Society took a big step when it founded Bolinas Lagoon’s Audubon Canyon Ranch in 1962. ACR’s crusade was to save native great blue herons, egrets and other birds threatened by potential logging, dredging and development in the area. Land was purchased incrementally through the efforts of donors and fundraisers, and the 1,000-acre non-profit Ranch continues today to be dedicated to preservation, research and education. (Bird viewing begins this month.)

Bourne House in Bolinas which became the Audubon Canyon Ranch, 1952.

Librarian's legacy

In March 1935, Virginia Keating started her service as County Librarian for the Marin County Free Library. Her 33-year tenure began in the basement of the old Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael, the first home of the Free Library. It was anything but a desk job—she helped expand the Library into a system of regional and community branches and implemented a bookmobile service to bring books to more isolated areas. Keating also helped establish the California Room that housed her vast collection of books, newspaper clippings, ephemera and photographs relating to Marin County history. The California Room moved to the Civic Center Library in 1962.

Portrait of Virginia Keating, c. 1920s. Marin History Museum –Virginia V. Keating Trust Collection.

Pristine ravine

A March 12, 1928 contract regarding Mt. Tamalpais’s Steep Ravine: “It is the desire of the grantor to have the property preserved for all time, as far as possible in its natural and wild state and that only such improvement should be placed thereon in the way of trails, benches, tables, fireplaces, rubbish receptacles, drinking fountains and convenience stations as may be reasonably necessary.” The grantor, congressman and conservationist William Kent, had ceded 204 acres in Steep Ravine to Mt. Tamalpais State Park with an added stipulation that a road would never mar the ravine’s scenery. The property was donated 21 years after his gift of Muir Woods and one day before he died.

John Muir, Congressman William Kent and Gifford Pinchot at Muir Woods Inn, c. 1910.

"A beautiful character"

On March 6, 1908, Hilarita Reed Lyford, who inherited 1,500 acres in Tiburon, died at the age of 79 during a visit to Mexico. Excerpt from her obituary: “She was only sick a few days, and died from heart trouble. The remains will be shipped to Marin County for burial. Mrs. Lyford was the wife of the late Benjamin F. Lyford, M.D., at one time one of the most striking personalities in Marin County. …The deceased was a beautiful character and a devoted Catholic. She was kind and generous and spent considerable money in helping the old Spanish families of the county.  …We were informed today that she died without making a will. She leaves an estate valued at about $300,000…”

Portrait of Hilarita Reed Lyford, c. 1860.