San Pablo Historical and Museum Society

07/18/2024

You'll find our new page here: https://www.facebook.com/SanPabloHistoricalMuseums

Stop by and see what's new. ~History Rox

The San Pablo Historical and Museum Society (SPH&MS) manages two fully furnished historic homes as museums: the Alvarado Adobe & Blume House.

06/30/2024

1776: The Second Anza Expedition reached their destination at what would become the City of San Francisco, having started from the Presidio of Tubac on 23 Oct 1775.

29 Jun 1776: La Misión de Nuestro Padre San Francisco de Asís (Mission San Francisco de Asís, also known as Mission Dolores) was founded. Father Francisco Palou claimed the site in June 1776 and held an official dedication ceremony on October 9, 1776. The Mission was named for Saint Francis of Assisi and was the 6th Mission founded at that time. The Mission was built on the foggy San Francisco Peninsula where the weather was often cold and damp. One important factor in locating a mission was being near a Native American village. Mission Dolores was built on the site of the Chumash’s Chutchui village. Construction of the adobe church began in the spring of 1782 by California Indians, and was overseen by Padre Benito Cambon who was under direction of Padre Junípero Serra. The mission complex is popularly referred to as Mission Dolores after a nearby stream, Arroyo de Nuestra Señora de Dolores (“Creek of Our Lady of Sorrows”). Its dedication took place on August 2, 1791, nine years after construction began.

This was the beginning of how the Rancho period would start in Alta California (Contra Costa County) with many soldados del presidio (soldiers of the presidio), like the Castro men and others, being granted land for military services rendered; Don Francisco María Castro was granted Rancho de los Cuchiyunes in 1823, Ygnacio Martínez Rancho el Pinole in 1823 and Juan José and Victor Castro granted Rancho El Sobrante in 1841.

Photo: Anza overlooks the Golden Gate for the first time. He realizes that he had found something more precious than gold; a large and safe harbor for Spanish ships. This amazing harbor was first discovered by Spanish seamen in 1769. Art from Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

06/08/2024

Some of our volunteers weeded and raked our rose gardens in front of the Blume House. We have notes indicating these were all roses that date back to the early 1900s but no names of the roses. Is there anyway to find out?

05/25/2024

11/26/2022

There is a new FB Page that will replace this one. Please visit and like our New Page! https://www.facebook.com/SanPabloHistoricalMuseums

The San Pablo Historical and Museum Society (SPH&MS) manages two fully furnished historic homes as museums: the Alvarado Adobe & Blume House.

11/04/2022

💥REMINDER💥
San Pablo's Historic Museums are open on the first Saturday of the month. The museums will be open this Saturday, November 5th from 11AM to 3PM. Stop by and discover the history of San Pablo and take a L👀K around. Come see what it was like to live in the 1900s! Plus, many more exhibits on our history.

Museum tours can also be arranged by appointment for individuals, families and groups by emailing: [email protected] or calling (510) 255-7488.

The San Pablo Historical & Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 94-2655108) volunteer-based organization. To become a member and help preserve San Pablo's History, request a Membership Application by emailing: [email protected]

The Historical Society always welcomes Volunteers; no prior museum experience is necessary.

Janet Pottier, President & Program Director
Roxy Miraválle, Director of Historical Research
San Pablo Historical & Museum Society
13873 San Pablo Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 255-7488
Website: https://sites.google.com/sanpablohistoricalsociety.com/museums/

To make a donation to the San Pablo Historical Society, you may do so securely via Paypal. Your donation helps in our efforts to collect, preserve and display our historical artifacts in order to tell their stories to inspire future generations and to keep the history of San Pablo alive. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!

Donate: http://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=TMWG3F58DU57L

10/24/2022

John F. Kennedy Plaza Park, San Pablo

Kennedy Plaza, which was dedicated on October 8, 1966, was modeled after Mission San Juan Capistrano's bell wall but was constructed of lightweight concrete called Slumplite Block. Originally the bells were electric carillon bells purchased from Schulmerich Carillions, Inc., in Sellersville, PA. The then Governor Edmund G. Brown attended the dedication ceremony in 1966, along with other officials.

To read more on the history of John F. Kennedy Plaza, visit our website.

Kennedy Plaza was formerly a "makeshift" playground on a small patch of city owned property located at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and 23rd street bordered by Brookside Drive in San Pablo. The city received $100,000 in grant money from the Federal Government to develop Davis Park and make

10/16/2022

The San Pablo Historical & Museum Society participated in the 'Low Riders at the Library' event on Saturday, October 15. We also had a small exhibit on the history of when the city of San Pablo banned cruising in the 1980s. There was a great turnout of low rider cars parked along Chattleton Lane behind the San Pablo Library. It was a big success, although the weather was a bit breezy but nice overall. The sun decided to come out of hiding almost at the end of the event! If you didn't get a chance to attend the event, enjoy the following photos taken by our historian, Roxy.

10/12/2022

The San Pablo Historical & Museum Society will be participating in the 'Low Riders at the Library' event on Saturday, October 15. Come on down and see our exhibit on the history of when the city of San Pablo banned cruising in the 1980s and share your memories of cruising! Hope to see you there!

10/11/2022

The San Pablo Rancho Fiesta, which commemorated the Rancho San Pablo 17,939-acre land grant issued in 1823 to Don Francisco María Castro, was held from September 27 through October 3, 1948. It was the city's first fiesta since being recently incorporated in April 1948.

10/05/2022

A look back at Fall/Halloween Happenings about town.
👻🎃☠🧛‍♂️🦇⚰🎃🕷💀

10/01/2022

The Alvarado Adobe Museum and Blume House will be open to the public this Saturday, October 1st from 11AM to 3PM. 💥FREE Admission💥 Come and explore our museums, L👀K around and learn the fascinating history of San Pablo.

The Alvarado Adobe is a re-creation of the 1840 adobe house that was home to Governor of California Juan Bautista Alvarado. The Blume House is a 1905 farmhouse decorated with items of the period and its Bunkhouse has farm machinery from that same period.

We are regularly open on the first Saturday of the month from 11am to 3pm. Alvarado Adobe: Church Lane at San Pablo Avenue. Blume House: 13873 San Pablo Avenue. We are also open by appointment to individuals and groups as well. For more information call or email: 510-255-7488 or [email protected]

09/28/2022

💥REMINDER💥
San Pablo's Historic Museums are open on the first Saturday of the month. The museums will be open this Saturday, October 1st from 11AM to 3PM. Stop by and discover the history of San Pablo and take a L👀K around. Come see what it was like to live in the 1900s! See you soon!

Museum tours can also be arranged by appointment for individuals, families and groups by emailing: [email protected] or calling (510) 255-7488.

The San Pablo Historical & Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 94-2655108) volunteer-based organization. To become a member and help preserve San Pablo's History, request a Membership Application by emailing: [email protected]

The Historical Society always welcomes Volunteers; no prior museum experience is necessary.

Janet Pottier, President & Program Director
Roxy Miraválle, Director of Historical Research
San Pablo Historical & Museum Society
13873 San Pablo Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 255-7488
Website: https://sites.google.com/sanpablohistoricalsociety.com/museums/

To make a donation to the San Pablo Historical Society, you may do so securely via Paypal. Your donation helps in our efforts to collect, preserve and display our historical artifacts in order to tell their stories to inspire future generations and to keep the history of San Pablo alive. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!

Donate: http://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=TMWG3F58DU57L

09/24/2022

🔥Hot Off the Press🔥
The history of San Pablo's Davis Park.

https://sites.google.com/sanpablohistoricalsociety.com/museums/recreation-events/davis-park

~A History Rox Presentation~

09/05/2022

Celebrating Labor Day through the years with a day at the Coursing Track, a benefit night at the "New" Pablo theatre, and the Jitterbug Finals at Maple Hall.