Mountain View : The World War II Years ( Continued from previous page )
During the war , the Mountain View Adobe Building was used as a United Serviceman ’ s Club . On Saturday nights , locals would host dances for service personnel stationed at Moffett Field . In the photo to the right , Mountain View locals are shown in their work clothes in front of the Adobe Building in order to prepare for one of the parties .
Image Source : Salinero Family Archives
Several local souls lost their lives during the con�lict . The Veteran ’ s Memorial at Eagle Park commemorates their service . One of the plaques “ TO OUR HERO DEAD IN WORLD WAR II ”, “ 1941 – 1945 ” reads :
MOUNTAIN VIEW UNION HIGH SCHOOL PAYS HOMAGE TO THE MEMORY OF THESE VALIANTS WHO GAVE THE LAST
FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION TO THEIR COUNTRY
The memorial contains several other plaques dedicated to the Service personnel who served in several wars .
The 1949 California Centennial festival and parade brought back celebrations to Mountain View . There were �loats from many of the cultural groups and clubs located in Mountain View and the surrounding area . The tradition continued into the 1950s as the Mountain View Harvest Festival and this photo shows the 1950 “ Miss Harvest Festival ” �loat featuring the Queen and her court .
During the decade , a 52-foot tower topped by a 9-foot globe from the Chrysler exhibit at the Treasure Island Exposition was relocated to the corner of Castro and El Camino Real . It was installed at Mancini Motors to attract customers . Here is an advertisement from the 1950 City Directory showcasing the tower and globe .
On May 26 , 1942 members of the local Japanese American community were forced to gather and board trains to internment camps . Executive Order 9066 was signed in February , an edict which forced the Japanese-American population on the west coast to be removed from their homes and relocated to internment camps in Colorado , Utah and Arizona .
The 1940s was a pivotal decade in Mountain View history . The population increased 66 % -- from 3,946 ( 1940 ) to 6,563 ( 1950 ). Even more explosive growth came in future decades . It was the start of the transition to an economy based on innovation and new technologies that continues today .
Unless otherwise noted , photos featured in this article are from the Mountain View History Center archives .
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