Images of America: California Séria

The book explores the historical development of Palos Verdes Estates, highlighting its establishment as a master-planned community in 1922 under landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. It details the vision of Frank Vanderlip, emphasizing the area's exclusivity and affluence. Key landmarks include the Palos Verdes Golf Club, La Venta Inn, and the Malaga Cove Library, which showcases Early Californian architecture and is a registered historic site. The narrative captures the essence of early community life and the unique charm of its commercial areas.

The narrative traces the origins of Paradise, California, beginning with Uncle Billy Leonard's discovery of its serene beauty over 150 years ago. Initially a mere stop for miners heading to gold country, the town evolved as disappointed prospectors turned to timber and sawmill work. The establishment of a railroad by the Diamond Match Company marked a significant development, and the area became known for its apple orchards and vibrant harvest festivals, which continue today as the Johnny Appleseed Days celebration.

Originally founded as the town of Mokelumne in 1869, Lodi formed when a group of settlers persuaded the Central Pacific Railroad to build a route from Sacramento to Stockton through their land. Mokelumne changed its name to Lodi in 1874 and incorporated as a city in 1906. Described early on as the queen city of the San Joaquin Valley, the Lodi area quickly boomed into an agricultural powerhouse, its fertile soil producing wheat, watermelons, orchards, and wine grapes. Laura DeForce Gordon, the second female lawyer in California, called Lodi home, as did winemaking pioneer Robert Mondavi. Lodi is also the birthplace of A&W Root Beer, first sold by Roy Allen at his drugstore on Pine Street. Today Lodi boasts over 75,000 acres of vineyards and 60 wineries, producing over 40 percent of California's zinfandel grapes and making this town the zinfandel capital of the world.

The cry amongst the redwoods-Eureka!-was the shout heard from early pioneers in 1850 as they came to settle in Humboldt County. Discovery of gold permanently changed the area's history, and eventually lead to the extraction of Humboldt's other natural resource: the "red gold" of its forests. Captured here in over 200 vintage photographs is the pictorial history of this bountiful county and its residents. As the gold fever faded in the late 1800s, Humboldt County's primary source of industry became the lumbering of its vast redwoods. Pictured here are the men and machines that felled, transported, and milled the lumber, as well as photographs of the elegant Victorian mansions of the industry's lumber barons, such as William Carson. Weaving the history of Humboldt County together are the stories of its earliest residents, including the Native American tribes, fevered Gold Rushers, the early Chinese community, railroad workers, shipyard sailors, and industrious farming families, all of whom created the foundation it prospers on today.

Nestled in the shadow of San Bruno Mountain and known as "The Gateway City" for its proximity to San Francisco, Daly City is much more than a typical suburb. A thriving and diverse community built along El Camino Real (The King's Highway), the road that connected all of the Spanish Missions in California, the city has evolved from a quaint agricultural town to an important business, residential, and transit center. This new collection of images, mostly vintage and rarely seen photographs, tells the city's journey from the original Spanish land grant through its 1911 incorporation and on to modern times. The town has always been cosmopolitan, developed with the help of Irish, German, and Italian settlers, and today's large numbers of Hispanic and Filipino residents. Aside from natural wonders like San Bruno Mountain and the dramatic Pacific coastline, Daly City also has man-made landmarks like the Cow Palace, which has long been host to large-scale events such as the Grand National Rodeo and political conventions. Nearby Colma is known for its cemeteries, but as readers will see in this book, shares a surprisingly rich history with Daly City.

Focusing on the San Francisco area, this book provides an in-depth exploration of neighborhoods such as Berkeley, San Bruno, and Pacifica. It highlights the unique characteristics, cultural landmarks, and local attractions that define each location. The narrative is enriched with insights into the community dynamics and historical significance of these areas, making it a valuable resource for residents and visitors alike.

The book offers a nostalgic journey into the hot rodding scene of California's central coast during the 1940s and 1950s, showcasing a rich collection of photographs that capture the era's vibrant motor sports culture. It highlights the earliest drag strips, jalopy racing, and road-racing events, while following local enthusiasts on adventures to iconic locations like El Mirage dry lake and Bonneville salt flats. Through personal albums, readers gain insight into the origins of a cultural movement that would eventually influence motor sports nationwide.

Exploring the gritty reality of police work in San Francisco, this book highlights the unique challenges faced by the SFPD since its establishment in 1849 during the Gold Rush. It recounts notorious events such as the Zodiac Killer case and the Patty Hearst robbery, showcasing a blend of scandal and dedication. Through a collection of vintage photographs, it pays tribute to the officers who have served the diverse community, emphasizing their invaluable contributions amidst a complex historical backdrop.

The Southern California city of Oxnard has its roots in agriculture. From the original dry-farming crops to labor-intensive sugar beets and most recently strawberries, each crop brought a new group of people to Ventura County's largest city, located 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Many chapters of Oxnard's enduring history have been captured on postcards and distributed to family and friends around the world. Arcadia Publishing's Postcard History series allows these images to come home and tell the story once again.

Eagle Rock grew as a small farming community just north of Los Angeles on Tongva ancestral lands that had become the great eastern pasture of the Rancho San Rafael. Eagle Rock enjoyed a geographic unity and a strong identity that revolved around its prominent namesake promontory. By 1906, trolleys made for an easy commute to Los Angeles, and Eagle Rock, which incorporated as a city in 1911, became increasingly integrated in the urban fabric yet remained defined by its residential nature and small-town character. Occidental College saw the quaint neighborhood at one end of York Valley as a place to grow. The annexation of Eagle Rock by Los Angeles in 1923 brought ample water supply as well as Eagle Rock High School, a center of town life into the 21st century. Freeway construction and shifts in business patterns affected Eagle Rock's growth in the post-World War II years, but the pleasant neighborhood identity remains despite its proximity to urban bustle.

The notion of Los Angeles as a wonderful place of opportunity contributed to the western migration of thousands of Americans, including African Americans escaping racism and violence in the South. But Los Angeles blacks encountered a white backlash, and the doors of opportunity were closed in the form of housing covenants, job discrimination, and school segregation. African Americans fought for equality, building strength in community and collective identity that became their ongoing Los Angeles legacy. This story, encapsulated here in vintage photographs, encompasses the settlers of African descent, antislavery and antidiscrimination efforts, and their cultural contributions on Central Avenue and in Hollywood. Also shown are important flash points, including the 1965 Watts uprising and the O. J. Simpson murder trial. The story of African Americans in Los Angeles is one of promise, dreams, and opportunity realized through survival, willfulness, and foresight.

The history of the San Bernardino Fire Department traces its evolution from a modest beginning in 1865 with minimal equipment to its current status as a vital community service. Following the establishment of its first fire company, which was disbanded after a short time, the department reformed in response to devastating fires in 1878. As the city grew throughout the 20th century, the fire department adapted by incorporating modern technology while maintaining its commitment to serving the community effectively.

Focusing on the rich history of hot rodding in Ventura County, the book explores the vibrant community of car enthusiasts and clubs that flourished in the mid-20th century. It features vintage photographs capturing the excitement of national championship drag races and highlights iconic drag strips like Goleta and Saugus. Readers will also discover the significance of renowned clubs such as the Motor Monarchs, the Kustomeers, and the Pharaohs, providing a nostalgic glimpse into a pivotal era of automotive culture.

Those striking images of stagecoaches traversing rugged mountain terrain are no mere marketing gimmick, but part and parcel of Wells Fargo's storied past. When Henry Wells and William Fargo founded the company in 1852, the gold rush had already brought thousands of people to California and uncovered the largest amount of wealth then known to the world. Wells Fargo served a unique role as a banking, express or transporting, and mail-delivery agency. In 1857, the company helped establish the Overland Mail Company; in 1861, it operated the Pony Express; and in 1866, it put together a 3,000-mile network of stagecoaches running between California and Nebraska. Three decades later, Wells Fargo covered the nation over a web of iron rails. Miners and merchants, ranchers and farmers alike depended on Wells Fargo. The company always used the fastest means possible for its deliveries and fund transfers, whether by riverboat, ocean steamer, pony express, stagecoach, railroad, or the fastest method of all, the telegraph.