Images of America: LAFAYETTE (CA)

By Mary McCosker & Mary Salon, Arcadia Publishing

 Book Review by Craig MacDonald

I used to live in the quaint town of Lafayette, California, tucked away among beautiful trees and hills, east of San Francisco. Little did I realize that my city, on the land first inhabited by the Saclan (Miwok Indians), was once a Pony Express stop (at the Lafayette House from 1860 -61); an overnight stay for cowboys driving cattle west; and a hot spot known throughout Northern California for its lively dances (which advertised the Glide, Boston Dip & Lilting).

Thanks to the Arcadia Book, "Lafayette," written by two members of the Lafayette Historical Society, the town's amazing past has come to life.

In 1846, Elam Brown helped lead a wagon train of 14 families from Missouri to Sacramento. He ended up purchasing the 3,328-acre Rancho Acalanes, which later became part of Lafayette. Elam sold land to other members of his wagon train and they began raising wheat and cattle, which they sold to hungry San Franciscans and miners.
Located between what later became Berkeley and Walnut Creek, they were in the right place at the right time. The town prospered as stagecoaches and trains also came through. So many nightclubs popped up, along what became Mt. Diablo Boulevard, that it was labeled "The Strip."

The authors found many photos which chronicle the birth & life of Lafayette. They even found a picture of a 3am train that took partiers home to Walnut Creek. (Talk about a Designated Driver!); the unlighted Kennedy Tunnel, which helped people get East & West, but also was the scene of several hold-ups; and the famous Lafayette Horse Show, where riders on horseback had a Tug-of-War & kids on horses had a Musical Chairs Competition. (How cool is that?) They also advertised a popular Cowboys & Cowgirls Dance.

When autos first came through the valley, it was such a rarity that teachers let their students go outside and watch them pass!

Lafayette became a vacation destination, complete with a huge swimming hole, and rentals of tents, hunting & fishing equipment. Today, it's still a popular commerce and vacation destination as well as home to more than 27,000 people.

(Historical Note: The town was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a military general in France and in the American Revolution. Lafayette was a close friend of Rev. James Caldwell, an American Revolution Hero. Caldwell was the great-great-great-great grandfather of historian & book reviewer Craig MacDonald. When Caldwell & his wife were murdered by the British, Lafayette adopted the eldest Caldwell son and raised him in France. The Reverend also was confidant to George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and other prominent leaders. You can read more about him in the acclaimed book, "The Rebel Reverend-An American Revolution Hero" by Craig MacDonald.)