This annual contest, sponsored by the Los Altos Historical Commission, invites elementary school students to write on a specific subject connected with Los Altos history. This year, students wrote about favorite historical landmarks.
Twelve students from a variety of Los Altos schools (grades 3 through 6) received awards this year and gathered for an ice-cream social May 11 at the Los Altos History Museum. Below are the students’ complete essays.
Pictured, front row from left, are Koji Nicolas Yoshimyama, Julia Anne Maguire and Kaitlyn Nakano; second row from left, Natalie Elise Tsoi Rockhold, Allie Yih and Jack Lilygren; third row from left, Jenna Webster, Jennifer R. Allen and Ramya Krishna; and fourth row from left, Jarod Kong, Jessica Carpenter and Alex Baer.
Julia Anne Maguire
Santa Rita School
3rd grade
The J. Gilbert Smith History House Last summer, my cousins came to visit from Florida, and I decided to take them to the J. Gilbert Smith History House. It is one of my favorite places in Los Altos and I knew that they would like to see what a farmhouse looked like in the olden days. On our visit, we learned that the history house has been there for 105 years. It took them 4-5 years to build it from redwood trees. We liked looking at the old washing machine. We all thought the bread box was a microwave oven. We liked looking at all the old food in the kitchen an imagining all the good food and pies that were made there. It made my mouth water to think of the juicy fruit that Mrs. Smith used to make her pies. The parlor was really fun to see and imagine listening to the radio and playing the piano. I could not believe how heavy the old phone was compared to our cordless phone at home. My cousin Sophia really liked looking in the bedrooms upstairs and seeing all the old clothes and toys. I tried to use the curlers on her bedroom vanity, but they would not stay in my hair. My cousin Lilly liked all of the medicines in the bathroom and the old fashioned razor. We also learned that Mr. Smith grew apricots and when they were ripe, he picked them and dried them. The dried fruit was then shipped around the country. The water tank house was especially cool on the hot summer day we visited. I could almost imagine sleeping there when the weather was so hot during the summer. So, if you have a relative visiting, make sure you show them the J. Gilbert Smith History House!
Kaitlyn Nakano
Santa Rita School
Third Grade
Foothills Congregational Church
My favorite historical landmark in Los Altos is Foothills Congregational Church. I chose it over all the other great places because I’ve been attending that church all my life. The sanctuary was built in 1914 and was designed by a famous architect named Ernest Coxhead. It is painted white on the outside and the windows have designs that are outlined in lead. The front doors are very large and heavy and they lead to a small courtyard with many different plants, for example, flowers and a large orange tree.
My church is special to me because it makes me feel happy and safe. It is where my parents were married. It is also where I was baptized when I was a baby. Now, I go to Sunday school there and sing in the elementary choir.
Foothills Congregational Church was made a historical landmark in 1982. In 1996 a time capsule was found buried in the floor when the construction workers were putting in new tiles. The time capsule had many things in it, including train schedules for Los Altos and San Francisco and choir music. Of all the great places in Los Altos, Foothills Congregational Church is my favorite historical landmark.
Koji Nicolas Yoshiyama
Santa Rita School
Third grade
Los Altos Nursery
A Japanese immigrant provided landscaping beauty for the growing Los Altos. It is still doing the same business in the same location as it started. There is an important part of Los Altos’ history and beauty that is connected with this Nursery. I enjoy being in nature probably just like those who started the business.
Tomokichi Furuichi (Frank) immigrated to the U.S. and came to the Bay Area in 1906, right after the great San Francisco earthquake. He purchased five acres in 1918 on Hawthorne Avenue, where the nursery has been operating for ninety-two years. He grew prune trees, raspberries and many other plants. He even built a water tower.
This is one of the first businesses in Los Altos. It provided landscaping for the growing Los Altos. With all his work, Los Altos now looks complete and very pretty. Tomokichi Furuichi (Frank) donated Chinese Pistache trees, which line San Antonio road and provide a colorful showing in autumn.
From my earliest memories, I have always liked gardening, and being near nature. I like to play around with the exciting plants that come from all around the world. It makes me feel fresh and energetic, and I enjoy it.
Like those who started the Los Altos nursery, I am also Japanese. It is a landmark, which is usually not on the Los Altos historical tours, even though it is directly responsible for the landscaping beauty of Los Altos.
Jack Lilygren
Santa Rita
4th grade
Redwood Grove Exploration
Today was the day! I took my friend Collin from out of town to the nature preserve known as Redwood Grove. Redwood Grove was bought by the Los Altos City Council in 1974 located near downtown on University Avenue. The nature preserve is used for a home for plants and animals and for people to hang out or explore. The nature preserve looks like a tiny forest with a boardwalk, the old recreation center the Hasley House, and Adobe Creek running through it and it feels peaceful and like I’m a Native American (Ohlone) and learning about Redwood Grove and Adobe Creek.
There is a very remarkable and important history about Redwood Grove and part of Los Altos. In the early 1900s, Los Altos was a rural city with many cottages and some houses. When U.S. entered WWII, many settlers and immigrants arrived and many buildings and houses were constructed and many trees and forests were cut down through (1950-1980s.) Soon Los Altos made a change. In the year 1974, the Los Altos City Council paid for some open land (not far from downtown) and turned it into a nature preserve which we call Redwood Grove. People built a boardwalk that runs parallel to Adobe Creek for a while, and the Hasley House built by a couple in the back of the preserve, and four types of fish to put in the creek, and planted tall Redwoods from the Santa Cruz Mountains that replaced the Native Willows, and filled up the creek because Adobe Creek is an important part of Redwood Grove for the animals, people, and plants. Redwood Grove made a huge change in Los Altos’ environment. Today people are working on a restoration project for Redwood Grove and trying to restore the original vegetation.
The reason why this place is famous and important because it’s a nature preserve and is always going to protect all animals and nature. It provides a sanctuary for both animals and humans. It is a reminder of the way California used to be.
I enjoy Redwood Grove because I can pretend I’m an explorer, and it gives peace to my soul, and always brings me closer to nature. Usually I do camps there and explore the entire perimeter of the preserve. As long as I live, Redwood Grove will always be my most favorite historical landmark in California.
Allie Yih
Loyola School
4th grade
Dear Deanna, I am so excited to share the history of my favorite landmark in Los Altos: Loyola Corners. Loyola Corners is located in the intersection of Loraine, Miramonte, and Fremont Avenue. It has been there since the 1920s. In the very old days, this area used to be ranches. In 1904, Jesuits of University of Santa Clara bought 700 acres of land from Hale Ranch in that area, they originally planned to use the land to construct the university to be named after the founder of the school, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Unfortunately the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906 ruined their idea, they donated most of the land to the golf and country club in Los Altos in 1924.
My favorite place in Loyola Corners would have to be Tom’s Depot, a diner next to the original train station for Southern Pacific Railroad. You see, there used to be railroad track running along Foothill Expressway, they are gone now. Whenever I go to the Tom’s Depot diner, I feel like I traveled back in time because of the old style decorations. The depot is known as a 50s style diner, with old style tables and chairs, ceiling fans and a painted mural of train passing through. You can see old photos hanging on the wall, costumers can look at them and feel reminiscent of Los Altos in the old days. I’ve chosen this landmark because I feel I can travel back in time when I am at Loyola Corners. It is a nice, quiet, small section of the town, with people taking leisurely walks around this historical landmark, shopping, eating ice cream, going to the barber shop to get a haircut, looking at the new bikes in the bike shop. As I stand in front of Tom’s depot, I can almost hear the train whistle and see the train coming on the busy Foothill lExpressway. I hope you can come and visit Loyola Corner with me one day. Your Friend, Allie
Natalie Elise Tsoi Rockhold
Loyola School
Grade 4
Dear Courtney, When you come to Los Altos, the first place I’ll show you is a historical house in my hometown called Farnsworth Farms. There are many wonderful historical sites all over town, but Farnsworth Farms is my favorite. Built in 1895, this 3-story farmhouse looms at the end of Rinconada Court off El Monte Ave. The house is currently for sale, so I went to see it.
Farnsworth Farms is where my great-grandfather, Orville Rockhold, lived and worked when he was my age, 9. He changed sprinklers, painted faucets, mowed lawns, and did general maintenance for Mrs. Rossier, the Farnsworth’s daughter. His uncle, Orville Leach, who managed the farm, had a small house on the corner of the property. My great-grandfather stayed at the farm during the summers until he was about 15 years old.
The house has an L-shaped porch, triangular rooftops, an unfinished cellar, and some original objects from the 1890’s. The handle on the heavy oak front door bears the letters “FF” for Farnsworth Farms and the date 1895. Narrow staircases lead from the first floor to the second and from the second to the third. The porch used to overlook the farm’s lush prune orchards.
A man named Judge Myers lived there from 1944 until 1985 when he died. The farm land was sold and houses were built on present-day Rinconada Court and Dracena Lane.
This farmhouse is important to me because part of my family’s history is planted here where our roots entwine with those of Los Altos. I would be very sad if this house was torn down, but fortunately, it won’t be because it is protected by the city of Los Altos as a historical landmark. I can’t wait to show you Farnsworth Farms so we can imagine Orville Rockhold’s life there.
Jennifer R. Allen
Pinewood School
5th grade
Chuga-chuga Choo-choo
Maria’s Antiques is almost as aged as Los Altos. It’s located along the part of Foothill Expressway that goes by downtown. For about ninety-seven years, this building has stood, surviving the elements. At first, it was a Southern Pacific railroad station, but it has also been transformed into a post office, a restaurant, and a savings and loan office. The building is a pale, sandy color with four columns holding up the brown shingle roof. On the left side of the building, there’s an old railroad car that’s the same rusty red as granite.
Maria’s Antiques was busy from 1913 to around 1964. Trains left in the morning and evening for San Francisco. Electric cars stopped at thirty minute intervals to take passengers to Palo Alto and San Jose. When automobiles became popular, the station lost business. The electric trains were abandoned in 1933 because they could not afford to run them, but steam trains continued on for thirty-one years. Eventually, the station closed. It was declared a historical landmark on November 25, 1981.
Preserving Maria’s Antiques is important because it tells us about the railroad and how it worked. Also, it shows the style of building in the early 1900’s. Finally, it helps us remember the history of Los Altos. While the building is there, we can walk by and say, “isn’t that the old Southern Pacific railroad station? Maybe I’ll go look.” It’s important to remember the past because it can help us make decisions in the future.
I love Maria’s Anttique because it’s full of furniture and knickknacks that smell of dust. They’re fun to see and imagine all the places they’ve been, and what happened to the people who owned them. The building is pretty to view, especially with the beautiful flowers by the walkway. Overall, it’s a marvelous place.
Ramya Krishna
Pinewood School
5th grade
Time Travel in Los Altos
Civic Center Orchard is the perfect place to experience the true spirit of Los Altos. It surrounds the Los Altos City Hall and the Los Altos Library. This orchard has been there since the early 1900s and was used as agricultural orchards and is now a decorative garden. When you observe the orchard you will see rows of carefully trimmed and well-maintained trees surrounded by a nice green patch of lawn. In Spring, the trees are especially beautiful when they blossom.
Travel back to the days of J. Gilbert Smith, before electricity, and before the automobile! J. Gilbert Smith planted this orchard in the early 1900s on the ten-acre plot of land surrounding his house. Both his house and the orchard have been preserved as a reminder of the city’s past.
See how far Los Altos has evolved from potato chips to computer chips. Civic Center Orchard shows how Silicon Valley has changed over the past one hundred years. At that time most houses in Los Altos were farmhouses. In the 1930s, San Francisco residents started building country houses in Los Altos. My house was built in 1937 by a San Francisco physician named Dr. Greene. The orchard lets us experience Los Altos like it was when Dr. Greene lived in my house.
To me, the orchard is the most magical place in all of Los Altos. It transports me to a different time when Los Altos residents were surrounded by greenery. Amazingly enough, this orchard serves as an excellent backdrop for the Los Altos Library. I can read a book there while enjoying a panoramic view of the orchard – the perfect place to experience the true spirit of Los Altos – a calm, relaxed, and peaceful place in harmony with nature vet located so close to the conveniences of modern life.
Jenna Webster
Oak School
5th grade
Dear Grace, I’m still shocked over the news that you’re allowed to fly up from San Diego for my birthday! It’s going to be so much fun! There are a lot of fun and interesting places in Los Altos that I wasn’t to take you to, but I have to show you Redwood Grove Nature Preserve/Park. I was thinking that maybe we could go there on my birthday? You’ll be speechless at the sight of it.
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve/Park is near Shoup Park so the drive would be only about five minutes or so. Tall Redwood trees tower above, enchanting all eyes that set upon them with their majesty and beauty. As you walk along the creek, blackberry bushes will brush up against your skin saying, “Eat me, eat me!” Squirrels chatter noisily to each other, and if you’re lucky, you may spot deer standing in the distance. The butterflies will dance from flower to flower seeking nectar, and you’ll find yourself humming to the tune of the songbird’s song. But soon the bird will be interrupted by the stellar jays shrieking to each other that humans are near.
It is thought that the Ohlone Indian Tribe once lived in the redwood forest. I would show you what was thought to be their meeting area, but sadly it has been taken apart. Adobe Creek is all dried up so we can parade around in the rocks and sand as if we were explorers. If we find and Banana Slugs, I dare you to kiss one! (Don’t worry, I will too!) We can pack a nice lunch and after the hike is finished, we can eat our lunch with the faint shouting of the little ones playing in the park. I can’t wait to show you the place where as a five-year-old, I discovered that there was more to like than just a television screen; there was nature. Lots of Love, Jenna
Alex Baer
Covington School
6th grade
Everyday in Los Altos, I go to my favorite Lost Alto city landmark. I actually spend most of my life in that landmark; because that place is my house, where I live.
It is number 55 on Pepper Drive and has been around for 104 years. It was originally used fro a fruit ranch, because of all the space and trees. It spread from San Antonio to Eleanor Street, originally 30 acres! It has been owned by my family since 1997. It is a huge house surrounded by many trees and made out of wood. It is painted off-white and has a lot of antique furniture. But for it, it’s a home with desks, a TV, couch, and other family items. Being in it feels warm and nice and, well, like home.
The house history is intriguing. It was originally a ranch, owned by the Adams family in 1906. When they built the house it was hard work. There were few supplies and workers because of the earthquake in 1906. It actually took many architects to design it. “The first architect was unsuccessful. He designed a one-store house my parent couldn’t stand. The second one tried a two story house which worked better,” according to Marvin Adams, son of the original owners of the house. The attic and basement were added to the original plans before the house was built.
The house was in a desirable location because in 1907 the city was formed and there were businesses being built downtown. Much later, my parents bought the house and it was inexpensive; for a couple of reasons. Some rooms were painted badly, some had dirty fish tanks. The house was generally worn out. When my parents were renovating is, a contractor opened a wall to find a bunch or dead rats falling out. But my parents didn’t give up. They worked really hard to fix it up and dreamed of living in it. The reason was that my father wanted an antique house and my mother was all for it. The house is very special also because it broke the city limits of size and height because it was there before the rules were made. It is 10 feet taller than the current city limit of 27 feet.
It is important because my parents never gave up, and it shows hard work and pride. This place is special because it’s huge, lovely, and my home sweet home.
Jessica Carpenter
Santa Rita School
6th grade
Dear Lydia, I’m so excited for you to visit my small yet beautiful hometown, Los Altos. I can’t wait to show you everything – from the busy downtown to my personal favorite, Adobe Creek.
The creek is a northward-flowing stream, originating on Black Mountain in Santa Clara County, California. It courses through more than just Los Altos, also Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Palo Alto, culminating in southwest San Francisco Bay just west of the levee separating the Palo Alto Flood Basin from the Charleston Slough.
Adobe Creek was originally called Yeguas Creek. “Yeguas” is Spanish for “mare”, and the Mission Santa Clara named it that because they built a corral for mares along the creek’s banks near the San Francisco Bay. Juan Prado Mesa renamed it San Antonio Creek when he was granted the Rancho San Antonio in 1839 by Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado. The Adobe Creek name appears as early as 1885 on an official surveyor’s map which lists both the Adobe and San Antonio names for the creek.
During the summer, luscious ripe blackberries that hang from their thorny stem dangle over the bed of Adobe Creek. You will love picking buckets and buckets of blackberries. But be careful of the thorns! I sincerely love Adobe Creek because of its history to me. As a young girl, I would slash around in the cool water, each drop sparkling in the midday summer sun. Laughter erupted from everyone’s mouths and smiles were spread out onto our faces like butter on bread. Droplets of water were flung in all directions as children splashed. Faces were dripping with water, resembling paint from a child’s unfinished painting.
It’s rare – but you might see four species of native fish. These natives include the California Roach, Sacramento Sucker, Three-pined Stickleback, and the Prickly Sculpin. Steelhead trout also occurred historically in Adobe Creek. However, tidal gates at the mouth of the Adobe Creek as well as culverts at the El Camino Real and Interstate 280 overpasses probably preclude the passage of migrating fish, even though the reaches upstream from Hidden Villa have been judged ad excellent trout habitat.
All in all, I promise you that you will love Adobe Creek. After all, if the founders of Adobe Systems, a software company, lived next to Adobe Creek in Los Altos and named their company after the creek, it has to be a wonderful place.
Jarod Kong
Covington School
6th grade
My Favorite Historical Place in Los Altos
The Los Altos Library was founded on July 25th, 1914. That was a historically significant day for the residents of Los Altos. C.E. Minor, a Los Altos land agent, worked hard to establish a library. When the collection of books increased to 500, and he earned ten dollars per month. In the same year, Jessie Landals and her husband, Rev. Thomas Landels because the first Los Altos librarians. This was the beginning of a library that kids, students, parents, and adults would later refer to as a landmark and historical place in Los Altos.
The Los Altos Library still looks old fashioned, like it did back in the late 1900s. It’s like a huge wooden shack with windows all around it. Inside, there’s a designated children and teen section. There’s an activity room for kids too.
This library is important to me because I love to read. Reading helps improve one’s language skills: reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling. The Los Altos library has over 2000 books providing a wide selection of subjects. I appreciate this library in the community because it is convenient, and it doesn’t cost anything to borrow books. It is a great place to fins resources, meet with friends, or do just about anything school related. I chose it over all the other places in Los Altos because of its significance in our daily lives.
I love the Los Altos library. I will continue to support it because of its great resource tools, books, and activities. If it were to be torn down, there would be a very deep hole in all the residents of Los Altos. Overall, the library is my most favorite place in Los Altos.
