And this fall, the association again will offer a slate of historical walks around history-rich county sites from Saturday through September. Three of those touch the Coastside.
“This is giving people the sense that we have a rich history in San Mateo County,” said historical association president Mitch Postel. “And on the coast, that’s particularly true. So many legacies are left on the coast.”
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This season’s first walk on the coast is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m., on Pie Ranch at 2080 Cabrillo Highway in Pescadero.
The nonprofit ranch, on a 14-acre parcel of land, is the site of gatherings to teach the cycle of food production from planting to harvest, processing to distribution, and cooking to composting.
Three years ago, the ranch expanded operations to include an additional 13-acre parcel that had been part of the historic Isaac Steele ranch, one of the county’s earliest and largest dairy operations. On it are buildings that date back to the 1860s, like a farmhouse listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The association’s second coastal walk is set from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, and revolves around the Ocean Shore Railroad. The tour, recalling the railroad’s early advertising slogan of “Reaches the Beaches,” begins at the old Ocean Shore Railroad Station at 10151 Cabrillo Highway and fans into some of the arc-shaped streets of the town.
It also includes an introduction to landscape architect Daniel Burnham and his Burnham Plan Map. Walkers will also pass by some of the area’s old Craftsman-style homes, the former Granada Hotel and sweeping ocean views.
Visitors are encouraged to call 726-4416 for directions.
The final Coastside walk of this season will take in the past of Pescadero, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.
Local historian Greg Timm will lead an entertaining tour beginning at the Native Sons Community Hall, and proceeding from the south end of Stage Road through the town to conclude where Juan Jose Gonzales’ adobe once stood. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes, come with questions and consider donations to support restoration of the hall.
“You feel yourself in the 19th century as you walk on the streets” of Pescadero, said Postel.
For more information about this tour, call 879-0882.
An historic walk through Pacifica will begin the series of walks on Aug. 22. Other walks include:
*The Colma Historical Association will lead a walk through the town’s history from the Ohlone Indians to the Europeans, cemeteries and blacksmith shop, with refreshments, on Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.;
*The San Carlos Heritage Association will focus on downtown San Carlos on Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.;
*Docents will lead a tour of Union Cemetery in Redwood City at 10 a.m. on Sept. 5;
*The History Guild of Daly City-Colma will re-enact a famed 1859 duel between United States Sen. David Broderick and California Chief Justice David Terry over the senator’s opposition to extending slavery in California. The senator lost;
*Victorian Days at the History Museum, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in the historic 1910 Courthouse. This includes handcrafts for children, activities of the county’s historic groups, and the play “Victorian Villains.”
“Each (tour) is completely different because the groups involved are completely different,” said Postel.
For more information about the series, call (650) 299-0104.
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