Fun Facts about the San Ramon Valley - Answers

Danville Hotel circa 1960

By Stan Wharton

1. The first pioneer to settle in the San Ramon Valley after the 1849 gold rush as Leo Norris. Leo came to Alta California in 1847 and purchased a rancho here in 1851. [more information]

2. Valley Agriculture started with cattle followed by wheat in the 1850's. In the 1870's, good rail transportation allowed perishable fruits and nuts to be grown and shipped to market. Walnut Creek was a walnut growing town. Alamo is spanish for nut or pecan.[more information]

3. Tradesmen who repaired farm equipment, shod horses, and sharpened plows were called blacksmiths. Factories were far away in the 1800's. Blacksmiths fabricated all kinds of metal products. [more about agriculture]

4. The large sharpened blade with curved handles used to cut grass and grain by hand is called a scythe. [more about agriculture]

5. Thorup's San Ramon Shoe Shop used foot-shaped wooden forms called shoe lasts to make and repair shoes.

6. Elliott's Bar was an ice cream parlor during the prohibition.[more information]

7. The Village Theatre on Front Street was once owned by local farmers to hold community events and to meet to promote their welfare. Their powerful organization was called the Grange. The old Grange Hall building was raised up and a new first floor added underneath to create our current Village Theatre. [more information]

8. Following much effort by the Grange, the Southern Pacific Railroad company started rail service in the Valley in 1891.[more information]

9.The electric railway that ran down the middle of Hartz Avenue and went to Walnut Creek from 1914-1924 was affectionately called the Toonerville Trolley. In an era of poor roads, the trolley was rapid transportation. [more information]

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