Winter Event Recap
Exploring
El Camino Real
The Story of California ’ s 1st Highway
In spite of blustery and rainy weather a large crowd showed up at the February 4 event at the Los Altos Library . To tie in with the temporary exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum the subject of the presentation was “ Exploring El Camino Real- the story of California ’ s 1st Highway ”.
Pamela Baird presented a detailed account of the early history of the origins of trails used by indigenous peoples , the arrival of and colonization by the Spanish and the transition to Mexican rule . The rich history of the effort to create the first state highway included the development of Mountain View from a farming community to a tech center .
Lastly IdaRose Slyvester , MVHA board member , created a fun look back at favorite businesses and restaurants located on El Camino Real . She even imagined , with the aid of AI , what a futuristic El Camino might look like many years from now .
Afterwards the attendees toured the special “ El Camino Real : Changing California ” exhibit at the Museum . The group enjoyed snacks , including special “ US 101 ” cookies .
Jordan Greahlish , Exhibits Specialist for the Los Altos History Museum , described the effort to chronicle history through the program that created the iconic El Camino bells . Women ’ s groups helped create an interest in saving the many decaying missions .
Right : MVHA Members Explore the Los Altos History Museum ’ s El Camino Real
Exhibit
Above : Director-at-Large IdaRose Sylvester presents at our Winter Event
Above : Jodan Greahlish , Pamela Baird , and their US 101 Cookies !
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