Utility Towers

Utility Tower at Walnut Ave. @ Fremont Blvd.

The collection of photos on this tower captures the surreal and poignant moments of the COVID-19 era — masked faces on both people and statues, once-busy roads gone silent, and signs that marked an extraordinary chapter in our shared history. These images are reminders of resilience, adaptation, and the ways everyday life was transformed. Each photo reminds us of the challenges of that time, as well as the creativity, humor, and humanity that emerged in unexpected places.

Photos from personal collections of Susan Longini, Lisa Stambaugh, and Barbara Baxter, as well as Washington Health and the July 4th porch parade 2020.

Utility Towers at Paseo Padre Pkwy. @ Walnut Ave., and Capitol Ave. @ Fremont Blvd.

Hands Around the Lake, Sept. 9, 2006, 9.a.m.

The largest — and possibly the most festive — event ever held in Central Park took place in the course of two days, Sept. 9 and 10, 2006. Approximately 80,000 residents of Fremont took part in the largest party ever put on in the park. The event, called Celebrate Fremont @ the Park, was held to honor the City of Fremont’s 50th anniversary. The celebration began with the first-of-its-kind event, entitled Hands Around the Lake. Approximately 2,700 people, a majority wearing commemorative orange T-shirts, ringed the shoreline of Lake Elizabeth and joined hands in a display of unity. (source: Life & Liberty at Lake Liz, p. 21)