Category: Uncategorized

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but I love the rock priestess’s version of the Rolling Stone’s “Gimme Shelter.” Has a shot of Credence Clearwater in there…. Whew….

 

Frank Latta, a historian and self-published author, who said he had interviewed 17,000 pioneers and collected 800 tons of memorabilia, including books, photos and other stuff, purchased the 725-acre Gazos Ranch, south of Pescadero in the 1950s. It was a beautiful ranch, formerly owned by the locally famous Steele family, the land stretching from the Pacific eastward toward the mountains.

Frank and wife Jean intended to retire there. They were in their 60s, and to make their dream possible, the Lattas intended to turn the ranch into a historical museum, adding a few touches of the more commercially-oriented Knotts Berry Farm in southern California.

In the late 1950s, after going through the official county procedures, Latta thought he was on his way, and even made a public announcement saying so—but then was stopped cold in his tracks.

…to be continued…

( The 13th Labor of Hercules by Perham Wilhelm Nahl, the poster that celebrated the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held in San Francisco)

Last week I walked into the spacious Quent Cordair Gallery in Burlingame and had a great time enjoying the paintings and posters, all of them fine examples of “romantic realism”–influenced by the brilliant Ayn Rand, the “Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” best-selling philosopher-author, the strong-willed, writer who in her work lifted man and woman to the skies of their abilities–her powerful characters becoming the builders of beautiful, strong bridges, of amazing architecture, never afraid, never daunted. And also becoming models for current day society.

Every painting, every sculpture and poster exemplify Ayn Rand’s philosophy–people at their very best.

Of local historical interest, there was a small painting of Pigeon Point Lighthouse and a lovely morning scene at Kings Mountain. There were many pieces I would love to own, but I was excited to learn that Quent Cordair has reproduction right to the 1915 poster, the “13th Labor of Hercules,” by San Francisco artist Perham Wilhelm Nahl.

Click here to visit the Quent Codair Gallery.

 

Photo: Frank Latta

From the Half Moon Bay Review, 1957

“Adding to the ever expanding future of the South Coastside, Frank F. Latta’s plans for an expansive history museum at Pescadero have cleared a major hurdle. They have been approved by the county planning commission.

“The plans for the tourist attraction would rival that of say Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California, according to Latta.

“Latta, a retired school teacher, author, history expert and collector is developing a vast recreation area on the old Steele ranch south of Pescadero near Gazos Creek. It will have many of the features of Knotts, according to Latta, ‘but without the commercial atmosphere’.

“The development of the 740-acre area will be a family project, Latta declared, with he, his wife, and their four children all working together on it.

“It would include: A 80-acre picnic and camping area stretching for a mile along the coast between Ano Nuevo Island and the famous Pigeon Point.

“Eleven miles of roads and trails for riding, driving and hiking.

“A realistic pioneer California village and Indian village.

“Deluxe accommodations for fishermen and tourists.

“The Latta collection of early California objects is one of the most complete in the state, among them dozens of transportation pieces, including a stage coach, surreys and five old cars, one electric.

“Latta, who has been collecting the items for 35 years, has been transporting them here from Bakersfield during the past year.

“The only thing holding up actual construction of the project is the realignment of the Ocean Shore Highway that will run through the ranch. Latta expects to have this clearance within a few weeks with the assistance of Supervisor A.S. Hatch, highway director. Latta will be required to build an underpass from the ranch to the ocean frontage.

“The property where the project will go is the old Steele Gulch ranch where a number of old buildings, constructed in 1865 are still standing. Latta says they will be restored in early California style to be developed as a pioneer village with livery stable, blacksmith shop, harness shop and a country store.

“Trails and roads will be developed from the sea to a mountain area where the early California transportation methods will be used, complete with horses.

“The history museum will be open on a limited basis to the general public within a matter of weeks.

“Long range plans, Latta declared, call for an airplane landing strip, to run parallel to the Coast highway.”

Someone is copy-catting the horrific 1947 Black Dahlia murder. By Lynda La Plante, the author behind the PBS Prime Suspect series, starring Helen Mirren as Detective Chief Inspector Jan Tennison. This book introduces a new, younger detective character. Quick, good summer read.

Driver picking up Ocean Shore passengers at Tunitas Creek

(Photo, top, J.C. Williamson; bottom, Williamson’s General Store.)

From the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

“In Pescadero’s worst fire since 1927, the J.C. Williamson general store was completely destroyed and adjoining bank building was set afire and at least three other buildings were damaged in a $32,000 blaze in mid-afternoon Sunday.

“Explosions among paint and kerosene stores and stocks of shotgun shells in the rear of Williamson’s store, a Coastside landmark, rocked the north end of town.

“Pescadero fire crews, aided by state forestry service crews summoned from Half Moon Bay and La Honda and by a county crew from the La Honda (Skyline) summit station were hard-pressed to save the entire Pescadero business district from destruction during a four-hour battle.”

…to be continued…

Granted, these photos aren’t of the Russian River I remember 30 plus years ago. Besides Tahoe, “the River” was a popular destination. These pictures were taken at a garden just outside Guerneville. Itty bitty Guerneville, the main street, hasn’t changed  a bit, though.  I wish we’d had time to get to the Italian restaurant in Occidental….

(Photo courtesy Spanishtown Historical Society. Visit the SHS on Johnston Street, east of the shops on historic Main St, Half Moon Bay.) I can’t help but notice Tom Quinlan’s name proudly emblazoned on his buiding, his business. He was “the man.” You don’t see that much today, do you?

 

From the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

 

“Relatives and scores of friends throughout San Mateo County are mourning the passing of Mrs. Margaret Quinlan, 69, a native of Half Moon Bay and daughter of one of the county’s earliest pioneer families….

“Mrs. Quinlan lived for many years in Miramar where both she and her late husband operated the well known ‘Sportsman’s Headquarters’. He was the late Thomas F. Quinlan, also a member of a pioneer family. After sale of business last year, she made her home in Southwood, So. San Francisco.

“She was born at Half Moon Bay in 1876, the daughter of Patrick F. and Mary Dolan McGovern. Her father was the first foreman of the original Ogden Mills estate at Millbrae from 1857 to 1861 and later a leading agriculturist at Millbrae and Pescadero. She was an elder sister of San Mateo County’s sheriff, the late T.C. ‘Brick’ McGovern of Half Moon Bay and Dr. J.C. McGovern , former county coroner, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary E. McGraw and Mrs. Annie Conrad of South San Francisco.

“She was the mother of Dr. J.E. Quinlan of San Francisco and former Deputy Sheriff Leland Quinlan of South San Francisco…”