Fun Facts about the San Ramon Valley

Danville Hotel circa 1960

By Stan Wharton

1. Name the first pioneer to settle in the San Ramon Valley after the 1849 gold rush. (clue - a valley to the south) [more clues]

2. Valley Agriculture started with cattle followed by wheat in the 1850's. What crops followed in the 1870's? (clue-nearby towns) [more clues]

3. Tradesmen who repaired farm equipment, shod horses, and sharpened plows were called___? [more clues]

4. The large sharpened blade with curved handles used to cut grass and grain by hand is called a__? [more clues]

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

6. Elliott's Bar sold what product during the prohibition? [more clues]

7. The Village Theatre on Front Street was once owned by local farmers to hold community events and to meet to promote their welfare. What did they call their organization? (clue - their newer building is on Diablo Road near the creek) [more clues]

8. What railroad company started rail service in the Valley in 1891? [more clues]

9.The electric railway that ran down the middle of Hartz Avenue and went to Walnut Creek from 1914-1924 was affectionately called the ______. [more clues]

[answers]