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a wonderful invitation from dear friends Mel and Lettie Domatz-–

[Image below: Deb with Michael Wong]
 

Let’s let Deb Wong explain:

“…Attached is a pic of our friends Letty & Mel Dolmatz.  They are in their 80s now (Mel is 87), energetic and sharp.  We know them from our membership in the Coastal Arts League (I am the secretary for CAL).  They talked about when they met JFK, RFK, and Teddy Kennedy back in the ’60s…among other political luminaries.  They have old photos that they took of the Kennedys.  I could only counter that with my meeting with Hillary Clinton at a Democratic function in Redwood City back in 1992 (no photos -drat!), where I spent my time talking (mostly) to Ira Ruskin, and feasting on the table tidbits.   I was one of the “Friends of Hillary Clinton”, and we had a banner saying that, when she arrived (briefly – she was touching base with many California towns stumping for her hubby). I was embarrassed as hell when the banner rolled out that read: “FREINDS OF HILLARY CLINTON”.  At least it didn’t say “FIENDS of…”   I didn’t make the banner. At least the cake had it spelled right.

 

Gino Mearini, former Coastsider, passed away in Cupertino on May 17, 2009. 

To read my interview with him, please click here

To longtime Judge Pitcher’s courtroom, see image below

And guess what? I just was in HMB and the “speed cop” was there doing his job! Just Judge Pitcher is missing.

Here are views of the old Catholic Church, which stood at the west end of Mill Street, across the way from today’s Mill Rose Bed and Breakfast. The Mill Rose B & B is one of the beautiful places to stay in Half Moon Bay, with exquisite landscaping cared for by the owners, Eve and Terry Baldwin. When you visit their website, you will enjoy what I am talking about—-the natural beauty of this special inn.

 

(Image below. I think it was in the 1950s that architectural change came to Half Moon Bay. Here is the new church that replaced the old one beloved by the locals.]

 

Again, I remain amazed at what business people do for us here on the Coastside, their appreciation of where we live—and then adding to that beauty with their generous gifts such as the Mill Rose and many, many other places. Thank you to the Baldwins of the Mill Rose Inn.

I was here when they began their large project of remodeling a small home into what it is today. What work and dedication that took.  To view their website, please click here

 

Below, are two photos of the old Catholic Church which has been replaced by a more modern, but in my opinion, not as attractive architecturally. 

In the 198os I loved Etta James‘ song “Jump into My Fire,” and I found her address in Southern California. Thats how I  bought  her album called “Seven Year Itch.” Ms. James was so gracious that she not only sent the album but an autographed photo, as seen below. 

 

{Image below: Here’s one shot of what’s called the “Bank of Half Moon Bay,” and this is, as far as I can see, the east side of Main Street, the site of the City of Half Moon Bay’ls offices or next door. But there was a Bank of Italy and I believe it was located across the street in the Debenedetti Building at the corner of Mill and Main]

[Image below. The Bank of Half Moon Bay located in the Debenedetti Building on the west side of Main Street.  Note the old Catholic Church at the western end of Main Street, and it doesn’t look like the San Benito House had been built yet.)

 

 

Story from John Vonderlin

Email John ([email protected])

Here’s my question: Aren’t a lot of U.S. prisons privately owned now? And by whom?

From John Vonderlin
Email John ([email protected])

Hi June,
Not being a student of HMB history,
I’ve never heard of this gentleman. Per-
haps it’s time he got his due. The
Santa Clara Library has a great Genae-
ology Room. When I can find time to
walk the 150 yards to it, I’ll go ask
them what they have on his early life
in HMB. At least I know who Warbur-
ton Street in my city is named after.
This article was from the February 10th,
1903 issue of “The Call.”
Enjoy. John
P.S. The attached ScreenShot of the
info about Mr Warburton comes from
a book available for free reading on
Archive.org. Its title is, “Pen Pictures
From The Garden of the World or San-
ta Clara County, California.” His short
bio is on page 241 and 242.

Dr. H. H. Warburton Suc
cumbs to Attack of
Pneumonia.
SANTA CLARA, Feb. 9.— Dr. H. H.
Wharburton, who was doubtless the pio
neer physician of the Pacific Coast at the
time of his death, succumbed to pneumo
nia at his home here to-day. He was
taken ill Thursday last, but until this
morning no serious symptoms were noted.
Dr. Warburton was nearly 84 years of
age.
Henry Hulme Warburton was born in
Betly, Staffordshire, England, May 23,
1819. His father, grandfather and great
grandfather were physicians. After a
course at the London Hospital Medical
Institute Dr. Warburton practiced with
his father, John Warburton, until 1844,
when he went to New York. He was
surgeon on a whaling fleet from Yerba
Buena (now San Francisco) in 1845. He
cruised the northwest coast of America
and went as far south as New Zealand.
He resigned his commission as surgeon at
Halfmoon Bay in 1847 and started across
the mountains to this valley. Don Luis
Arguello and a party of companions had
been attending a festival at Half moon
Bay and were returning over the range
when they overtook Warburton; and with
them he came to Santa Clara. He was
elected Town Trustee in 1852.
When Dr. Warburton first came to the
Pacific Coast there were only three phy
sicians in California, and he often went
as far south as San Luis Obispo. He
rode a horse on professional visits all
over Contra Costa, San Mateo and Ala
meda counties before they were coun
ties, receiving his pay in cattle and
horses. The nearest physician was at
Monterey. There was no doctor in San
Francisco, except the one at the Pre
sidio. People frequently came from Los
Angeles to consult him. There was no
San Francisco at that time, and the two
Presidios, one at Mission Dolores and
the other in the location occupied by the
present Government station, were the
centers of population about San Fran
cisco Bay. Dr. Benjamin Cory, Dr. Lee,
an English physician, and Dr.. Van Cani
gan, all pioneer practitioners, were later
arrivals than Dr. Warburton.
Dr. Warburton was married in 1855 to
Mrs. Catharine Pennel (nee Long), and
to them seven children were born. Dr.
Warburton frequently remarked that he
was one day older than Queen Victoria.
Ho had six brothers and all but one were
physicians. Besides the widow there re
main five children. Charles P., John G.,
Henry L. Warburton. Mrs. S. R. Jack
son of San Felipe, San Benlto County,
and Miss Ella A. Warburton.

Story from John Vonderlin

Email John ([email protected])

LETTER FROM MONTEREY

Trip of the Maj. Tompkins–Description of Half Moon Bay

Monterey Jan 8, 1854

It is with pleasure I embrace the present opportunity of giving you a few items of information regarding my trip to this place. We left Washington street wharf on board the Maj. Tompkins, yesterday mornng, 20 minutes after 10 o’clock, and reached Half Moon Bah at 2 o’clock where the boat was detained until 6 o’clock in the afternoon. We reached Santa Cruz a little before 2 o’clock this morning–landed a few passengers and came on to this place. We had a smooth sea all the way and a very pleasant and speedy trip. The Maj. Tompkins is greatly improved, and is now a boat that I can recommend to the traveling public.I

It is strange that nothing has ever been said about Half Moon Bay and the country around it; it is bounded by a large body of beautiful land, and I am informed the land is very rich and fertile. I saw large herds of cattle grazing on the plains, and some indications of farming. This will certainly be a place of some importance in a few years. It was dark when we landed at Santa Cruz, therefore I cannot say anything about that place at present.

Monterey is beautifully situated and has a good harbor; it is a lively little place. I have never been at any place with a more hospitable reception that I did here. I have just dined with Judge Merrett, one of the most distinguished legal gentlemen of the place. His wife is a California lady and quite an accomplished woman.

I shall be able soon to give you a general history of the early settlement of this place, which I think will be interesting.
——-