Waving to the Eisenhowers on the train
Palmita Park Celebrates 100 Years ( Cont . from Page 4 )
Flappers and their Champagne fountain ( from left ) Palmita Park neighbors , Ofelia Seymour , Becca Swett , Katie Tucker and Kait Ball
Twenties attire was worn by guests including Melanie Kaye , in her original great grandmother ’ s dress .
Palmita Park residents ( from left ) Andreas and Lucas Goebel , Roger Kaye , Lenny “ Bugsy ” Siegel and Eugene Cordero contemplate their new home purchase in 1925
Live music , and 1920s inspired decor , were all made possible by Loreto residents , who also brought appetizers , desserts and even creative , era-inspired Cocktails and Mocktails offered at the Speakeasy bar .
Special guests were Pamela Baird , MVHA President and her husband , Greg Unangst , along with Robert Cox , MVHA vice president and OMVNA Vice Chair , Steering Committee .
Palmita Park The First 100 Years , by Melanie Kaye and Kyle Hartzell , will be available soon in the History Room at the library . The book provides a comprehensive look at one of Mountain View ’ s historically preserved central neighborhoods , including details of both interior and exterior architectural elements and styles . Walking Loreto and Velarde today there are many visible examples of the original Bungalow designs that lined the street in the 1920s and 1930s . Even as the homes in Palmita Park are modernized over time , many of them still retain details of craftsmanship and charm that initially drew buyers a hundred years ago . Many occupants have worked to preserve reminders of the distinct character of this historical neighborhood they love , originally known as Palmita Park .
Kyle Hartzell and Melanie Kaye share Palmita Park history with MVHA Vice President , Robert Cox
Photos courtesy : Cherylle Goebel
Waving to the Eisenhowers on the train
Last year the MVHA received an email from Richard and Carol Kutsch , brother and sister , who lived with their parents in Mountain View in the 1950s – -1980s . The two recounted an exciting event for the two siblings — waving at the train carrying Dwight Eisenhower (“ Ike ”) the president of the United States , and his wife Mamie .
The Republican Convention was held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco August 20-23 , 1956 . The incumbent President and his vice president , Richard Nixon , were nominated to run for another term . Afterwards the President and his wife decided to travel by train to Carmel so that the President could play golf at Pebble Beach .
The sibling ’ s father , Robert E . Kutsch , was Art Director of the Pacific Press Publishing Association , which was located at 1350 Villa Street , Mountain View . Their facility spread out for four blocks alongside the railroad tracks . Their father learned when the presidential train entourage would be
MOUNTAIN VIEW RESIDENTS REMEMBER
The Kutsch Family in 1956 ( Left to right ) Richard , Carol ,
Kathryn and Robert
traveling through Mountain View on the Southern Pacific line . The family decided to park in one of the Pacific Press lots hoping to catch a glimpse of the train as it passed through town .
As the two recount “ Dad parked our 1950 maroon Studebaker Champion sedan on a vacant PPPA lot at its west end and we all waited for the train . Eventually it came and passed with no indication of the Eisenhowers . When the last observation car passed-- there on the rear platform stood both Ike and Mamie ! Mom sat in the right front passenger seat . Dad sat behind the driver ’ s wheel . My sister Carol stood on the right front fender holding an old mop handle with paper confetti attached . I stood on the left front fender similarly outfitted . We also had an “ I Like Ike ” sign . Our parents waved out their windows , and Carol and I both waved . Ike and Mamie both replied with good smiles and waved back ! Wow !”
Dwight and Mamie planned to stay in Carmel for four days of vacation and golfing . But the typical cool and foggy weather dampened their enthusiasm to stay the entire time . Their visit was shortened to three days .
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