Financial Report
Membership Report
President ’ s Message Continued from Page 2
decided to make changes to the way his fields were plowed . He was one of the first farmers in the area to use contour plowing and terraces in the 1960s . As the story was related by my mother — he was greeted with a great deal of skepticism by other farmers about the changes he implemented on his farms . But the new methods brought about better yields and within several years other farmers adopted these methods on their own farms .
He was featured in an issue of Successful Farming magazine . We all were immensely proud of a man who had to quit school at age 15 to take over his family ’ s farm after the death of his father .
How I wish that our family had more information about his accomplishments . As I have noted before in this column — write down the stories of your families !
Community Outreach
Financial Report
By Melissa Rusch MVHA Treasurer
Checking Account Balance as of 12 / 31 / 24 : $ 16,850.84 Certificates of Deposit : $ 62,077.59
Membership Report
By Lisa Garcia MVHA Membership Chair Happy New Year ! It ’ s membership renewal time . Thank you to those of you who have already renewed !!
You can mail in your form ( see page 9 ) with a check or go online at : www . mountainviewhistorical . org / memberships /
Please consider becoming a lifetime member . It ’ s easy to do and you won ’ t have to remember to send your dues each year !
Membership dues help with our ongoing expenses — hosting meetings , newsletter production , mailing costs and insurance .
WINTERSPRING
On October 3 , third graders at Landels School on Dana Street , learned the history of Mountain View and Miss Edith Landels , the namesake of their elementary school . Pamela Baird , president of the Mountain View Historical Association presented an informative talk with photos and images illustrating local history . The event was organized by Marissa Hamaguchi , a teacher at Landels .
When Pamela shared a 1924 photo of Miss Landels ’ class , she pointed out that all thirteen girls had their hair shaped in a “ bob ” cut . Even in a small town , women and girls were interested in following the latest fashion trends . The children wanted to know if the boys were following style trends ! After the event , students mailed “ thank you ” notes and sent emails with more questions .
El Camino at the Library
The MVHA has started a collaboration with the MV Library and the MV Friends of the Library to deliver historical lectures . The first presentation was held on December 12 . Board members IdaRose Sylvester and Pamela Baird presented a three part program . Pamela spoke about California before outsiders arrived and the Spanish and Mexican history of the roadway from San Diego to San Francisco . She then focused on the story of El Camino on the peninsula .
IdaRose detailed the early and later landmarks in Mountain View . Location photos included before & after images and stories , like the Gemello winery , beloved restaurants , and former popular entertainment venues , like the Monte Vista Drive-In theater and El Camino Bowl . She also had the audience question what we value today , and how we envision El Camino evolving to meet our needs in the future .
Presenting the history of El Camino Real , Pamela Baird , MVHA President
The third portion covered the Mission Bells , initially installed to mark the 500 mile route of El Camino , an effort led by Mrs . A . S . C . Forbes , reporter , photographer and community activist . She started a foundry ( the first one in the state to be owned by a woman ) to produce the historic bells . The program was held in person and on Zoom . Watch for future MVHA presentations in March and May of 2025 .
IdaRose Sylvester , MVHA Board Member , presenting the complex history of El Camino Real
Downtown Walking Tours
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Eleven people participated in the December 22 , 2024 Downtown Walking tour event . The tour , held on the
Upcoming Walking tour fourth Sunday of most months , starts at Centennial Plaza of downtown Mountain View and ends near the corner of Castro and Church Streets .
January 26 , 2025 Stories of the early residents , the success of agriculture Register on EventBrite and the transformation of Castro Street from a car-oriented https :// bit . ly / 3VTdQa5 roadway to a pedestrian-friendly center are included .
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