SARATOGA HISTORICAL FOUNDATION PO BOX 172, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95071 May 2014 Noteworthy and Notorious Women in California’s History— Free Lecture by Historian Mary Jo Ignoffo Too late for mother’s day, but you might still bring your California history: La Verdad; Gold Rush Politics; mother, daughter, or girl Sunnyvale from the City of Destiny to the Heart of friend to this entertaining Silicon Valley; Milestones, A History of Mountain lecture on California View, CA; A Meeting of the Minds—A Retrospective of women. the ToKalon Club of San Jose 1903-2003; and Local author and Reflections of the Past, An Anthology of San Jose. She teacher Mary Jo Ignoffo teaches history at De Anza College in Cupertino, will give a presentation California. entitled, Noteworthy and Notorious Women in California’s History, on May Springs Forth!! May 20 as part of the Following a 22-year tradition, Betty Peck and family Saratoga Historical held their traditional May Day celebration with hundreds Foundation’s membership program. of friends on May 1. The shady hand-built outdoor The life stories and legacies of some nineteenth and amphitheater provided the perfect setting for the twentieth-century California women are often absent crowning of May Queen Carolyn Armstrong, a short from history books. But further investigation finds play about Spring, live music, May pole dancing and a common ground in lives that demonstrated intellect, repast of strawberries and cream. KRON 4 news was determination, resilience, and a belief in woman’s ability there to capture the festivities. to accomplish great deeds. Among the ladies to be The invitation-only event began when Betty retired covered in the presentation will include pioneer Tamsen from teaching, although no one is sure she has retired! In Donner, Gold Rush-era abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant, true Peck tradition of celebrating-- the day was perfect. novelist Gertrude Atherton, philanthropist Sarah And everyone had a chance to dance around the May Winchester, architect Julia Morgan, First Lady Lou Pole with colorful yellow and green ribbons. Happy Henry Hoover, and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. Spring! Each of these lives sheds considerable light upon her time and place in California’s past. The presentation will take place at the Immanuel Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 14103 Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga. The potluck begins at 6:30 PM—be sure to bring your own plates, eating utensils and food to share. The lecture will begin at 7:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Mary Jo Ignoffo has written articles on history for the San Jose Mercury News , The Californian , and Santa Clara Magazine . She is the author of six books about The county purchased the gravel pit and, according to Rocky Story—the Quarry Walk Miller, it became a recreational area for the county On a gray but beautiful day in scenic Saratoga, Vice employees. Artifacts such as picnic tables and stone Mayor benches can be seen throughout the 1 ½ hour walk—a Howard garbage can converted into a BBQ provides proof of Miller led some of the good times of the past. an The land has been planted with trees as part of the informative restoration. Pipes for carrying water to the plants are still walk of the visible. quarry— The walk includes several scenic vistas. Wildflowers soon to be such as lace plant, monkey flower, California poppies, Saratoga’s mustard and more brighten the trail. Cat tails lazily poke largest park. out of the remnants of a lake. Over 40 Miller said the county employees stocked the lake at interested one time with fish so children could go fishing. Saratogans joined Miller to hear how the 47 acres of The city of Saratoga purchased the land for creating a land was first used as a quarry from 1907 to 1967. The park so people could walk from the quarry to Sanborn rocks were mined by shovel and then later by bulldozer. Park to Santa Cruz or a walk of about 50 miles. When the gravel company was in operation, the land Miller looked very different from today. Very little plant predicts that growth existed, just huge swatches of rocky land as the a portion of gravel was harvested. The gravel was used for most of the Quarry the roads in Santa Clara Valley. park might Miller joked, “Saratoga provided the bedrock of be open as Silicon Valley.” early as Walking along you can peek into tunnels used for 2015. conveying rock underground; see the remnants of a Many of the building used for loading the rock; ivy covered water existing tanks, a reflection pond where water falls once tumbled, gravel and even a cat tail filled “lake.” strewn roads will be used as trails. Meetings are in Only the crunch, crunch, crunch of steps on the progress and open to the public to discuss the types of gravel strewn path disturbs the tranquility as people recreation to be offered in the new park. Only docent-led eagerly walk from one scenic point to the next. walks are allowed now and are planned for each month. Check the city of Saratoga website for dates. Saratoga Historical Foundation Officers The mission of the Saratoga Historical Foundation is to preserve the unique history of Saratoga for the Memorial Day—A Saratoga Tradition education and enjoyment of the community. Join fellow Executive Committee Saratogans for Annette Stransky, President Memorial Day Bob Himel, Vice President on May 26. The Ron Hagelin, Recording Secretary colorful event Open, Treasurer begins at the Newsletter Memorial Arch The Saratoga Historical Foundation newsletter is with a wreath- produced 6X a year. If you have comments or laying and flag suggestions, please call 408-867-7468 or e-mail: ceremony at [email protected] 9:30 AM. The How to Reach Us group will walk up Oak Street to Madronia Cemetery at The Saratoga History Museum, McWilliams House 10:00 AM for speeches and music. People can also and schoolhouse are located at 20450 Saratoga-Los drive. Chairs are available for seating. Laurel sprays and Gatos Road and open from 1-4 PM Friday through American flags will be placed on the graves of military Sunday. Call 408-867-4311 to arrange group or veterans. The Saratoga Foothill Club has organized the docent-led tours. Be sure to visit our gift shop.Visit event every year since 1928 to honor the more than 850 our website: http://www.saratogahistory.com or veterans are buried at Madronia Cemetery. www.facebook.com/Saratoga Historical Foundation 1 welcome with a variety of services to fit a range of 2014 Calendar of Events skills. Be sure to stop by and find out how you can Now School Daze—1850 to the help—if even for an hour or two each month. Present exhibit at the Museum until Join Today the end of June. Everyone is invited to become a member of the May 20 Notorious & Notable Women lecture museum and to volunteer. An annual membership drive and potluck at 6:30 PM Immanual takes place each year, but memberships are welcome at Lutheran Fellowship hall any time. May 24 , Open House (3 dates including May This support enables the museum to continue 24, June 28 and July 26 ) at the preserving our local heritage and serve as a valuable Museum from 1-3 PM --membership educational resource. and volunteer Drive All Volunteer July 5 New Exhibit: "Pioneering the Valley: The Saratoga Historical Foundation is an all-volunteer The Chinese American Legacy in organization. The group manages the Saratoga History Santa Clara Valley" at the Museum Museum and keeps the museum open three days a week; July 13 Exhibit Reception at the education docents teach pioneer living; and a host of Museum from 2-4 services are provided to the community including Sept. 6 Mid-Autumn Festival at the docent-led walking tours. Stop by and see how you can Museum help. Oct. 4 Heritage Day New Exhibit Opens July 5 “Pioneering the Valley: The Chinese American legacy in Membership & Volunteer Drive Santa Clara Valley”, a new exhibit Kicks Off in May will open on July 5 and run through the end of October. The Stop by the Saratoga exhibit was developed by the History Museum on May Chinese Historical and Cultural 24 (also June 28 and July Preservation Society located in 26) between 1-3 and learn San Jose. The story is told using about the benefits of 14 colorful panels of information volunteering or joining the and images on the history of Saratoga Historical Foundation. Light refreshments will Chinese Americans in the Santa Clara Valley from the be served. Already a member—bring a friend or come 19th century to today. Thank you Ping Li and Mayor and find out about volunteer activities. Or learn about Emily Lo for helping make this exhibit happen. some of the many new projects. “Members are the A reception for the exhibit is planned for July 13— lifeblood of any museum,” says SHF Membership open to the public and with light refreshments. Director Ann Waltonsmith. “Annual membership dues, which start at $30 for individuals, provide us with a major source of unrestricted revenue, which means we Put These Dates on Your Calendar can use those funds to cover our day-to-day needs, not Join us at the Museum for a Mid-Autumn Festival on just special projects or exhibitions.” In exchange for September 6 to celebrate family and munch moon cakes! their support, SHF members receive special rates to This traditional Chinese celebration promises to be fun events and programs, 8-page newsletter on local history and informative.