Tri-City History (A-Z) in Photographs | Washington Township Museum of Local History

A monthly column in the Tri-City Voice

Starting in 2024, the Tri-City History column will start going through the alphabet, with historical photos on a shared theme for each letter.

Have a topic or idea you’d like us to explore? Email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org.

A: Academia

No. 1: January 23, 2024: Academia

Academia (noun): The life, community, or world of teachers, schools, and education.

Students at Curtner Seminary for Young Ladies in Irvington, CA (approx. 1896)

The second Centerville Grammar School, built in 1913.

The 1940 Irvington Grammar School was designed by George Ellinger of Oakland.

Washington High School teachers examine class offerings, 1961.

B: Barns

No. 2: February 27, 2024 and March 5, 2024: Barns

Barn (noun): A large farm building typically used for storing grain, hay, or straw or for housing livestock.

Interior view of the Bunting Barn at Sycamore Farms, Centerville

Watercolor of Chadbourne Barn, by Rachel Bentley, Centerville

Silva Family and farm, complete with home, tank house, and barn, Warm Springs

C: Casks

No. 3: March 26, 2024: Casks

Cask (noun): A container made and shaped like a barrel, especially one larger and stronger, for holding liquids.

Irvington Packing Company, 1950s, Irvington. In 1946, James “Ralph” Baxter and Jim Campbell started the Irvington Packing Co. Cooper Fernando Lopez produced redwood vats 12-15’ across that could hold 10-20 tons of sweet pickles. The Irvington Packing Company had a dozen employees, and depending on what was ripe, could pickle cucumber, cauliflower and peppers. The partners sold to California Conserve Co. in 1960 and the business changed to packing relish.

Interior view of the cellar of the Stanford Winery, 1880-1890s, Warm Springs. The winery, owned and operated by Josiah W. Stanford (brother of Leland Stanford) spanned 275 acres, produced 1,000 tons of grapes and had 320,000 gallons of wine in cooperage. It was later purchased by the Weibel Family in 1945.

Lunch counter outside the Richfield gasoline station, with root beer concentrate in the large cask, 1930s, Niles. The Richfield gas station was located opposite the Niles Theatre. Pictured are the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Marble, their dog, and an unidentified person.

Winery building at Linda Vista Winery, 1880s, Mission San Jose. At its peak, Linda Vista vines spanned between 425 and 1,000 acres and the winery could hold 500,000 gallons in cooperage. The wine was served exclusively by the Pullman Palace Car Company

D: Drag Strip

No. 4: April 30, 2024: Drag Strip

Drag Strip (noun): A straight, paved area or course where drag races are held, as a section of road or airplane runway.

The Fremont Dragstrip, later renamed Fremont Raceway, was a racing venue that operated from 1958 through 1988. In its final years, it was part of Baylands Raceway Park.

1960, Backside of “Guide to Drag Racing at Fremont”

1964-65, Tom Grove, San Leandro racer sponsored by Melrose Motors

E: Eateries

No. 5: May 28, 2024: Eateries

Eateries (noun): a restaurant or other place where people can be served food.

Larry Medeiros in his restaurant on Mission Boulevard inside the Guadalupe Inn.

Niles Chamber of Commerce in front of the Florence Restaurant on Niles Boulevard

Mission Pine Restaurant – interior scene, in Mission San Jose

Cloverdale Creamery (now home to Bogie’s Pet Store) night scene, in Centerville.

F: Flowers

No. 5: June 25, 2024: Flowers

Flowers (noun): The blossoms of plants