SARATOGA HISTORICAL FOUNDATION PO BOX 172, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95071 September 2012 Come to the train lecture on Sept. 7 * Don’t miss Celebrate Saratoga—A Village Block Party at the Museum and on Big Basin Way—hourly fun* The Last of the Prune Pickers headlines Heritage Day at the Museum* Make your reservation now for the BBQ held at the historic Garrod Ranch!!!! Continues MacGregor, ‘Millions of dollars were spent on Exciting Lecture on Building the mountain construction, but before the scheme could succeed, a Railroad Through the Santa Cruz high cost was also paid in human life when tunneling uncovered dangerous pockets of natural gas under the summit Mountains on September 7 ridge. Four years after the scheme was launched, it nearly Come to an exciting lecture presented by Bruce MacGregor on foundered in a series of devasting explosions deep inside the “Drilling a Hole in the wall: narrow gauge rails to Santa Cruz” mountain.” on September 7 at 7:00 PM. It’s a fundraiser for SHF. The railroad only lasted a few years before it was taken over Many have probably by the Octopus but in its short life it dramatically changed wondered what the South Bay how people and goods would travel in this important and was like a hundred or so years growing part of California. Today little is to be found of the ago and who were the dominant line. After the Southern Pacific took it over it moved to players of the time. When it standardize the line and bring it to SP standards. As a result came to transportation it was the the colorful little railroad faded into history. Southern Pacific Railroad that Bruce MacGregor is a well-known author of four books on tied together most of the towns the railroads. He presently lives in Oregon. of California into a web where The lecture will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran they dictated rates and schedules Reception Hall at 14301 Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga. Tickets for the movement of both freight will only be sold at the door for $15.00—cash or check. This and passenger in the Golden is a fundraiser for the Saratoga History Museum. State. If you wanted to move an Written by Ray Cosyn, SHF US Historian article or a person you had to pay the piper, the Southern Pacific , as their was no Hats off to History!! Annual BBQ and alternative but to give in to Frank Norris’s “Octopus “ as the railroad had become known. Silent Auction on October 14 To provide competition, a daring little narrow gauge line The annual BBQ and silent auction or “hats off to history” is was put into service in 1880 that connected the Alameda with scheduled for October 14 from 4-7 PM at the historic Garrod Santa Cruz. The line was about 90 miles long and made its Ranch. way along the east bay, through marshes and wetlands to San Loosen your belt buckle and join us for Cooper-Garrod Jose where it continued to head south through Los Gatos and Estate wine tasting, BBQ dinner, silent auction, entertainment over and through the Santa Cruz mountains to the isolated and more—all adding up for a great afternoon. town of Santa Cruz. This colorful and scenic line cut through The dinner will include four BBQ meats: (spareribs, beef 6 tunnels to reach its destination. brisket, chicken, smoked sausage links), and meatless vegi- According to MacGregor, “it was a tale of two cities, burgers for vegetarians; three side dishes of BBQ beans, separated by a mean little range of mountains. In the 1870’s, potato salad, mixed green salad with ranch or Italian dressing; Santa Cruz represented a rich production center for redwood garlic bread; and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream for lumber, lime and leather. Just twenty five miles away, San dessert Jose (and the greater Bay Area) represented the most rapidly Silent auction highlights include a quilt, case of Kathryn expanding consumer market in California. The two economic Kennedy wine, tickets to the Planetarium, live plants and regions attracted each other like magnets. Yet the Santa Cruz more! All funds support the Museum. Mountains raised such a formidable barrier to commerce that Call in your reservation: 408-255-1883 and bring a guest or most of the trade between the Bay Area and Santa Cruz went two. Send check to SHF, PO Box 172, Saratoga, CA 95071-- by way of coastal shipping.” $40 for SHF members; $50, nonmembers. on the board of directors; as mentioned helps the Saratoga Giving His All Historical Foundation as a museum docent; active member of Dick Angus is one of those unique people who always has DeAnza Kiwanis Club; is president of the Menlo Park time to volunteer—or at least it seems that way. Historical Association; Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and Dick is a docent for the Saratoga History Museum but he also the American Diabetes Association. There’s most likely a few helps in many other ways. Ask him if he can help with an more groups but he is too modest to mention. event, he’ll pull out his calendar and say, “Oh, yes. I can do Vice Mayor Jill Hunter says, “I am so happy I met Dick that.” He is presently on the silent auction committee, but he four years ago at an SVDC (Saratoga Village Development also helps with many of the other SHF events. And he’s been Council) event. He has been an invaluable help to us ever known to bring his since. He and his daughter Dorothy have successfully run the daughter, Dorothy to Pet Parade in the Saratoga Village for three years now. help also. Whenever we need chairs or tents or balloons for an event SHF President Dick is there with a smile. He is a wonderful example of a Annette Stransky says, retiree who has dedicated his days to helping others; his “Dick is great to work enthusiasm and love of Saratoga is always evident.” with because he is The 85-year young Angus says, “I volunteer and work with pleasant and all of the organizations. Volunteering is a way of giving back dependable. I can to the community and it keeps me active. I think it is good for always count on Dick my health – both physical and mental. I would tell others that to pitch in and do a they have an obligation to the community wonderful job.” in which they live and to help in any way Friend Yvonne they can.” Mendy agrees and says, That belief extends to his family. “Richard is someone Daughter Dorothy Angus says, “My who responds to a Dad, Richard Angus, is a great role request and then adds model for me and my siblings because he something extra. He has always been ready to lend a hand when needed, regardless always goes the extra of what it was. He has been very busy since his retirement 22 mile—trying to make his response better than requested. And years ago. He joined the DeAnza Chapter of Kiwanis and has he always succeeds.” been president, Kiwanian of the Year, and received many Says Angus about being a docent, “I enjoy being a docent other awards from them. He joined the Saratoga Senior Center at the museum because I can help visitors understand how and has served on that board for many years and has been a interesting Saratoga is and the town’s importance. This past president and is currently the liaison for them at the position also helps me learn more about Saratoga’s history. Saratoga Chamber of Commerce mixers and other functions. Most questions asked by visitors revolve around how Saratoga He is involved with the SVDC plus, he is also currently the started, how we got our name, Congress Springs and the president of the Menlo Park Historical Society. Menlo Park is orchards. My favorite time period of our history is from 1895 where he grew up. And, as you all know, he is also a docent at to 1940 which covers when I first knew of Saratoga. Our our Saratoga History Museum. He always is ready to help a family used to drive through Saratoga on our way to Santa neighbor or his own family. His dedication to help others Cruz in the 1940s. I moved to Saratoga in 1966 and have inspires me to do the same whenever I can.” experienced all the changes since.” Angus volunteers at the Saratoga Senior Center where he is The Way it Used to Be The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has events Saratoga Historical for enjoying the many open space areas. Whether you enjoy plants, birds, or just seeing the outdoors—there is an activity Foundation Officers just for you. “Santa Clara Valley: The Way it Used to Be” The mission of the Saratoga Historical Foundation is to takes place November 2 from 10:00 to 3:00 PM. Take a step preserve the unique history of Saratoga for the education back in time to the early 20 th century when the Garrod family and enjoyment of the community. owned, and then later Fremont and Cora Older owned and Executive Committee lived on a piece of this Preserve. Imagine pastures, vineyards, Annette Stransky, President and orchard of apricots, plums and walnuts, and fields of hay Bob Himel, Vice President where there is now mostly grassland. This is a moderately Ron Hagelin, Recording Secretary paced, 5.4 mile hike. For a full lineup of hikes, request the Jane Asher, Treasurer 2011-2012 annual report by calling 650-691-1200 or go up to Newsletter the website: www.openspace.org .