99,993,017 BC
"Sediment begins to accumulate at the edge of the Pacific and Continental plates. It is the future Tamalpais,
now bits of rock and sand at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean." (Dreams of Tamalpais, Sharon Skolnick, p.69)
60,998,017 BC
"A giagantic and slow collision between the two plates starts to force huge masses of accumulated sediment to
the ocean surface and beyond. One of the masses is Tamalpais." (Dreams of Tamalpais, Sharon Skolnick, p.
69)
2017 BC
"According to western historians, the Coastal Miwok Indian people begin. (Dreams of Tamalpais, Sharon
Skolnick, p.69)
1542
"Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his crew from Spain sail past the Marin coastline."
1579
"Sir Francis Drake, in the English ship Golden Hinde, lands at either Drake's Bay north of Tamalpais or else at
San Francisco Bay near Pt. San Quentin." (ibid)
1805
Otter and seals were hunted on the shores of San Quentin Peninsula and at the mouth of Corte Madera Creek.
Skins were shipped to Asia and sold for $80 to $125 each. (Larkspur: Past & Present, Larkspur Heritage
Committee, 1991, p. 316)
(VIDEO) 1874
The Marin County Courthouse was built in 1897. To see VIDEO explaining more about this subject, please click
HERE.
(VIDEO) 1896 to 1930
Click HERE for Video. On August 26, 1896, the Mill Valley and Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway opened and
began to shuttle guests up the mountain. It was known as the "crookedest railroad in the world" with 281 curves
in less than 8 miles. Once atop the mountain, visitors could enjoy a snack at the Tavern of Tamalpais, dance the
two step at the Dance Pavilion or ride the gravity car down into Muir Woods. The roundtrip ticket cost $1.90 for a
trip from San Francisco to the summit and attracted up to 50,000 people a year. Over 700,000 people used the
Mill Valley station between 1896 and 1930.
1911
Civil Rights leader William L. Patterson (1890-1980) is the first African-American to graduate from Tam High
School in Mill Valley. He became a leader in the Communist Party USA and head of the International Labor
Defense, a group that offered legal representation to communists, trade unionists, and African-Americans in
cases involving issues of political or racial persecution. He was later active in the Civil Rights Congress, and in
1951 presented a document, We Charge Genocide, to the United Nations, charging the U.S. federal
government with complicity in genocide for failing to take action against lynching in the United States. In the
Tam yearbook, his stated ambition was “to be a second Booker T. Washington.”
(VIDEO) 1950s
To see the VIDEO of the annual Aquacade in the 50's, click HERE. (Does anyone know where exactly this film
is shot and more about this event?) This video clip is from a 1976 film produced by San Rafael High School
teacher David Swingle and his students for the Marin County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.
The video is provided courtesy of San Rafael High School. Special thanks to Christine Morgan.
1950
"Captain BJ Hunnicut" of Mill Valley served in the 4077 M*A*S*H unit in the Korean War. See STORY.
Army engineers construct Nike Missile batteries on Angel Island. The top of Mount Ida (later Mount Carolyn
Livermore) is lopped off to provide for a radar station to control the missiles. (from Tiburon's Heritage site)
1956
Marin County issues a Master Plan for the Development of the Tiburon Peninsula. The Plan would have
allowed for a population of 20,000 to 40,000 people in Tiburon. Included in the proposal was a four-lane,
divided highway circling the peninsula and provision for a bridge to San Francisco. (click HERE for more info).
Photo courtesy of the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society
.
1958
Redwood High School Opened.
1966
Blackie, Tiburon’s swaybacked horse, dies, aged about 40, and is buried in the field where he had grazed for
about 25 years. It is still called Blackie’s Pasture. (From Tiburon's Heritage site)
1967
Otis Redding goes to Sausalito to relax and is inspired to write hit "Dock of the Bay".
1969
Johnny Cash plays at San Quentin
1965
Bill Graham & Jerry Garcia.
Rock promoter Bill Graham was invited to attend a free concert in Golden Gate Park, where he made contact
with the San Francisco Mime Troupe. One of the first concerts he promoted featured the Steve Miller Band. The
concert was an overwhelming success and Graham obtained exclusive rights to promote them. Soon, he was to
become the top concert promoter in rock music. Click here for more info. Photo courtesy of Raymond Baltar, For
more of Mr. Baltar's work, please visit www.moonvalleystudio.com
1969
Robin Williams graduates from Redwood High School
1970
The Marin Civic Center shooting occurred. For more info, please click the IJ's slide show and articles.
(VIDEO) 1971
Courthouse Fire
In May, 1971, the Courthouse in San Rafael was destroyed by fire. To see a video, click HERE.
1975
Snow falls on Mt.Tam.
1976
The novel The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County (often referred to as The Serial) by Cyra McFadden is
published in installments (serialized) in The Pacific Sun. It was first published in book form in 1977.
1977
Marin resident and director George Lucas' Star Wars hits theaters.
(VIDEO) 1978
Edwin Newman hosts the controversial "I Want It All Now" on NBC news, exploring Marin's narcissistic ways
including the infamous peacock feather massage. Rita Abrams, famed Mill Valley kindergarten teacher and
70's radio sensation, won an Emmy for the show's musical score. To watch a VIDEO clip of highlights from the
show, click HERE.
1982
Huey Lewis & The News record Sports in Sausalito. (See www.HLN.org for the latest info on the band.)
1985
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom graduates from Redwood High School in Larkspur.
Timeline (Abridged by Jason Lewis)
Where To? Corte Madera Fairfax Greenbrae Kentfield Larkspur Marin City Mill Valley Novato Ross San Anselmo San Rafael Sausalito Tiburon West Marin