Marin Journal, February 20, 1908
On Saturday, February 15, 1908, a meeting was held at the Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael with representatives from every part of the county, to discuss a proposal for a consolidated government, which was called “the marking of a new era of progress and prosperity.” Developer Edgar C. Chapman was the first to speak, representing the people of Corte Madera, saying that his community was in favor of consolidation, and that the town of Larkspur had already invited them to join in a local government.
Other speakers, such as James Tunstead of San Anselmo and William Kent, expressed their enthusiasm for consolidation, especially around the topic of water. Mr. Kent felt that “water is of most importance, and that the only way it can be properly handled will be by public ownership on a larger scale than any private company could afford.” The Marin Municipal Water District wouldn’t be created until 1912.
Other speakers, such as James Tunstead of San Anselmo and William Kent, expressed their enthusiasm for consolidation, especially around the topic of water. Mr. Kent felt that “water is of most importance, and that the only way it can be properly handled will be by public ownership on a larger scale than any private company could afford.” The Marin Municipal Water District wouldn’t be created until 1912.
John Muir and William Kent, 1912 (MHM Collection)
Kent went on to say that Marin “could be butchered by the formation of numerous small towns, and how it could be developed and beautified by a united effort.” A Greater San Rafael would mean “better roads, better schools, more water, better police and fire protection, better sewers.”
Not all were in favor. The citizens of Larkspur, on the brink of incorporating in March 1908, were opposed, and one speaker was so bitter against San Rafael, he “could say nothing too severe against our city.”
By the end of the meeting, it was agreed to form a committee to explore the consolidation of San Rafael, San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Escalle (outside of Larkspur), Larkspur, and Corte Madera. They pointed to the borough system, “in vogue” in cities such as New York.
By 1915, no move to consolidate had been made, but Senator Kent expressed his views to the Mill Valley Record that it should happen, and that it should “cross over Mt. Tamalpais and swoop up Sausalito and Mill Valley.” By that time, the MMWD had formed and he felt the boundaries of water distribution should be the limits of this greater municipality. The Record finished their article by saying: “While the name of San Rafael is a beautiful one, at the same time, if the greater territory was to be known as the City and County of San Rafael, the name would cause jealousy. It would be advisable to call the Greater Municipality by an entirely new name, such as the City and County of Tamalpais.”
Not all were in favor. The citizens of Larkspur, on the brink of incorporating in March 1908, were opposed, and one speaker was so bitter against San Rafael, he “could say nothing too severe against our city.”
By the end of the meeting, it was agreed to form a committee to explore the consolidation of San Rafael, San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Escalle (outside of Larkspur), Larkspur, and Corte Madera. They pointed to the borough system, “in vogue” in cities such as New York.
By 1915, no move to consolidate had been made, but Senator Kent expressed his views to the Mill Valley Record that it should happen, and that it should “cross over Mt. Tamalpais and swoop up Sausalito and Mill Valley.” By that time, the MMWD had formed and he felt the boundaries of water distribution should be the limits of this greater municipality. The Record finished their article by saying: “While the name of San Rafael is a beautiful one, at the same time, if the greater territory was to be known as the City and County of San Rafael, the name would cause jealousy. It would be advisable to call the Greater Municipality by an entirely new name, such as the City and County of Tamalpais.”
Marin Independent Journal, October 29, 1958
There is scant record of what became of this push to consolidate, until 1957, when the Board of Supervisors proposed a plan to present to voters a charter for a consolidated City and County of Marin, merging all agencies of local governments in the county. A board of freeholders was elected, and after 10 months, in August 1958, they proposed a new charter to be voted on in an upcoming election. The full-text of the charter was printed in the Marin Independent Journal. Opponents to the plan went into action, and included a retired judge and two local attorneys, and local polling showed it falling behind in numbers.
Finally, the November 17, 1958 IJ printed the headline "Freeholder to do autopsy on charter," and reported that it "died of an underdose of votes" in the Nov. 4th election.
The idea is not dead. In fact, in June 2026, the Civil Grand Jury reported that the residents of Marin County “would be better served by merging many of the nearly 100 organizations that provide fire protection, water, sanitation and other key services.” Time will tell if a plan hatched over 100 years ago may be considered once again!
Finally, the November 17, 1958 IJ printed the headline "Freeholder to do autopsy on charter," and reported that it "died of an underdose of votes" in the Nov. 4th election.
The idea is not dead. In fact, in June 2026, the Civil Grand Jury reported that the residents of Marin County “would be better served by merging many of the nearly 100 organizations that provide fire protection, water, sanitation and other key services.” Time will tell if a plan hatched over 100 years ago may be considered once again!