Roundup and BBQ in Danville, CA - 1934 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2018-11-14 | A nostalgic black and white retrospective from 1934 depicting life on the Peters Ranch formerly located in Danville, California. The sprawling cattle and walnut ranch was once located prominently on the western hillside between Danville and San Ramon, Ca., an area now consisting of large homes, Bishop Ranch office complexes, and, of course, Highway 680. Our vignette wraps-up with a backward glance to 1954 and the haunting images of a still undeveloped San Ramon Valley. Enjoy!Edited and Digitized by Rick HelinDonated by Sylvia CarrollA Part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.com©2018
Northern Nationals - March 11, 1973 - Fremont, CA California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-06-11 | The Fremont Dragstrip was built on land owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad, previous to this the land was owned by the United States Navy, who built an airfield on the site just prior to World War II. The Strip was built and opened in 1959, The venue boomed during the 1960's and 1970's until it closed in 1988, The venue was also known as Baylands Raceway Park during the final years of operation.
The Construction of the Frost Amphitheater - 1935 - Stanford University, CA California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-06-06 | The Frost Amphitheater opened to public acclaim in June 1937. The venue was a gift to Stanford University by the parents of John Laurence Frost, a Stanford student who died from polio only months after his own graduation in 1935. The 20-acre site was designed by Leslie Kiler, Class of 1924, to echo the California Foothills as seen from campus.These "one of a kind moving images" were taken by Stanford athletic coach, E. P. "Husky" Hunt, who served in more different capacities at Stanford over a period of nearly 35 years than most men. Between 1922 and 1955, Hunt served in such capacities as head basketball coach, assistant football coach, head wrestling coach, and head gymnastics coach. He also acted as the game-day cameraman for coach Pop Warner's varsity games who created the practice of generating game day films as a coaching tool.I have digitally transferred thousands of vintage films over the years... but this one repeatedly gives me "chicken skin". I can't help but be impressed with the many hours of back-breaking, sweat-inspired dedication from those who took great pride in their task at hand... leaving a lasting tribute to someone taken so early in their youth.Please leave a comment to let his descendants know he has still not been forgotten.PS - Any chance the gentlemen in the business suit seen inspecting the construction progress at the 1:07 mark might be Pop Warner, Stanford's football coach? As well as the cameraman's friend and coach of the schools Frosh Footbal team at the time. To make a side-by-side camparison, go to: photos.com/featured/football-coach-glenn-pop-warner-bettmann.htmlThe music content is courtesy via Scot Buckley through Creative Commons License originally provided via Audionautix..Music Credit Update"Stars In Her Skies"', "Wanderlust", and "There is a Place" by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
A Night Wedding In Brooklyn, New York - 1952 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | Picked up at an estate sale in San Jose, CA by donor, Joe Baronessa. It depicts a 1952 wedding. The return address on the Kodak processing box was: Andrew Tumbarello 8602 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn, New York. Attempts to find descendants via Ancestry.com met without success.
Babys First Birthday California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | A donated film by Preservation Action Council depicting a mother and father celebrating their childs first birthday. In this case, a birthday moment from Idaho in March of 1941. Although war was already raging in Europe, this young couple could only focus on the love of their life.
Grandmas Birthday at Santa Cruz - 1935 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | A black and white visit to 'Grandma's House' in Santa Cruz, CA. A little cake with granny before we girls head off for the beach and boardwalk. Yes, that's the same Big Dipper you enjoy today! This 16mm film from 1935 was generously donated by Joe Baronessa who always keeps an open eye for vintage local films at local Garage Sales and Estate Sales.
Upper Snake River Valley Dairymens Assiciation Trip to California - 1946 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | The Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen's Association take a rewards trip to California. Visit the Donner Monument near Lake Tahoe. Travel past the S.P. snowsheds in the modern Greyhound Overland bus down into the SF Bay Area. Visit UC California Berkeley Campus; Sather Tower (the Campanile) and California Memorial Coliseum. The ultimate destination is to visit someone else's dairy.... Farms in Berkeley?Stay 'till the end for the bonus guest's memorable contibution to local dairy advertising
The Wedding - Idaho Falls, Idaho - 1940 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | A donated film from Preservation Action Council of San Jose. Perhaps someone in Idaho Falls will recognize this young, newly wed couple. Please contact us if someone actually knows the origins of this film and can tell us more about this donated film.
Santa Cruz 1929-1930 Hart L. Weaver Film Collection California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | Short summary depicting portions of the images related to Santa Cruz County edited from the sixteen 16mm reels of film shot by Hart L. Weaver (co-founder of the St. Francis Yacht Club) between 1929 and 1930. These reels were discovered in a home being demolished in Seabright, Santa Cruz, CA, circa 2001. They were donated for digitization to the California Pioneers by Daniel Model, a Santa Cruz historian, who received them from the contractor who had originally salvaged them. Note the beautiful Hotel Capitola located at the far end of the beach as seen at the 6:00 mark. This nostalgic landmark will tragically be destroyed by fire on December 16, 1929, just six months after these scenes were taken.
Circus at Trader Lews California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2024-05-27 | The Circus came to Trader Lew's on Monterey Highwayin 1960 to celebrate "Founders Day", the 110th anniversary of the beginning of San Jose, CA. Thanks to Joe Baronessa, another great glimpse into the history of Santa Clara County has been preserved when these rare images were discovered at a local estate sale and donated to the Pioneers of Santa Clara County for digitizing.The day's festivities also included a substantial parade from City Hall on Taylor Street to the downtown area. In addition to the standard collection of marching bands and floats, Grand Marshal, Walter Brennan, was excorted along the parade route with a bevy of lions, tigers, a camel and giraff thanks to the coordination with the good folks at Kelly and Miller Bros. circus.
St. Josephs Military Academy, Belmont, CA - 1930 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2023-04-28 | These rare 16mm moving images were discovered within a box of vintage movie films at an Estate Sale in Palo Alto, CA, by Joe Baronessa. They tell the story of ten year old, Leslie Jr., and his nine year old brother, Kenneth. The brothers were students at St. Joseph's Military Academy in Belmont, CA. The brothers were 'boarders' at a school run by the Sisters of Mercy. The school was originally named The Belmont School for Boys and was founded in 1889 by William Thomas Reid, a Harvard graduate and former president of the University of California, Berkeley. In 1892, the Belmont School for Boys merged ith the Hopkins Academy of Oakland, but the synergy of the combined student body slowly went into decline after Reid retired in 1918. Archbiship Allemany of San Francisco purchased the school but even they couldn't succeed in making a boys boarding school financially self-sufficient.So, Bishop Allemany turned the facility over to the Sisters of Mercy who took over operations, moving Sister Gertrud's St. Joseph's Military Academy from Rio Vista onto the Belmont location. They ran it successfully until 1952 when it was converted into a parish elementary school for The Immaculate Heart of Mary church which was built on the western edge of the school's property. Some of the original buildings remain standing to this day, however, most of the propertry once occupied by Belmont School for Boys/St. Joseph's Military Academy is now occupied by the Carlmont Village Shopping Center.
Capitola / Big Basin - 1930 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2023-04-28 | This 7" reel of 16mm film was discovered by Joe Baronessa in a box at an Estate Sale in Palo Alto, CA. It follows four children at the beach in Capitola. Later, the family travels to Big Basin, California's first State Park located in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Snow in San Jose - 1976 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2023-02-28 | In early 1976, the Bay Area experienced one of the most spectacular rare events - a true snowfall that stuck on the Santa Clara Valley floor. Mel Basuini filmed the event, recording the 3 inches of accumulation on his antique autos, yard, and the orchards surrounding his San Jose home. Snowballs are always the first order of business on such a day, and as Mel's wife Gloria snapped photos, the frozen projectiles flew!The bay area has seen snow since '76, but not enough to linger on the ground as long as it did - and nobody building snowmen back then will forget it!Filmed and donated by Mel BasuiniDigitized by Rick Helin and Bill FoleyEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveAll footage copyrighted
Birds of a Feather California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2022-07-21 | A very unique reel of film donated to us from someone who stated it was acquired at a garage sale on Bascom Avenue, San Jose, about 15 years ago. It depicts a gathering of San Francisco politicians in 1931 (mind you, we are still in prohibition for two more years). We are hoping our viewers might assist us by providing the names and political positions these politicians held in 1931. If you can help us, please add their name, corresponding number and political title/position in the comment section. What we believe we know so far: WHO'S WHO? 1 - Angelo Joseph Rossi - Mayor of San Francisco 4 - William J "Dick" Fitzgerald - Sherriff of San FranciscoThe second half of the film takes place on September 5th, 1931 at an informal dinner in Los Angeles celebrating the city's Sesquicentennial (150th Birthday). The mayor of Los Angeles uses the occasion to play a prank on the mayor of San Francisco.The film ends with a parade at the newly completed Los Angeles Coliseum on September 9th, 1931 where the State of California Admission's Day was celebrated. Make sure you search for the float from the County which proudly stated they were the home to "The World's Largest Dirigible"!
CO-ED DUCK HUNTING - 1928 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2022-07-14 | First film of a new collection of moving images from donor Joe Baronessa who discovered twenty great 16mm films from the late twenties and early thirties. The films were discovered in an estate sale fifteen years ago on Bascom Ave. The photographer and subjects are unknown, however, we would like to believe this film could easily have been taken somewhere in the wetlands of SF Bay... or delta. Perhaps Alviso? Now, if you blur your eyes just right...Creative commons music: "Push Me" by Twin Musicom courtesy of the artist.
Shriners Convention - Los Angeles 1950 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2022-07-04 | On June 22, 1950, 135,000 'Nobles' came to downtown Los Angeles from Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii for several days of parades and general celebration of "The Imperial Session of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine". The downtown parade culminated in the L.A. Coliseum at this 76th imperial session. "There were 280 richly-attired horsemen, six camels, and unique mechanized equipment ranging from a 1901 automobile from Louisville, Ky., to a cable car from San Francisco". Film donated to our film archive by "Preservation Action Council of San Jose". Music entitled "Old Comrades" by The Marine Band.
Cadaver Dogs at Hacienda Cemetery California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2022-05-10 | On April 11th, 2022, a team of 'Cadaver Dogs' and their handlers from the Institute for Canine Forensics visited the Hacienda Cemetery in New Almaden. The purpose of the visit was to allow the dogs to assess whether or not there are additional bodies buried within the cemetery which are not unmarked. Many of the tombstones and grave markers have 'disappeared' from the cemetery over the years so we weren't surprised when we counted up the amount of unaccounted for 'hits' as sniffed-out by these incredible canines. Fourteen. Searching for historical burials by detecting the scent of human decomposition is an inexact science for sure, but not because they use animal snouts instead of mechanical equipment to perform the task.
Rose Bowl - 1938 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2022-03-15 | The 1938 Rose Bowl was the 24th edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, January 1. The game featured the second-ranked California Golden Bears of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) against the #4 Alabama Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), two of the top teams from the 1937 college football season. This game was the fifth trip to Pasadena for the Tide, which had gone without a loss in the previous four. The game was a Vic Bottari and Sam Chapman show, as the duo combined for all 13 points. It was Alabama's first loss in the Rose Bowl which prompted former Los Angeles Examiner reporter Maxwell Stiles to write: “The Crimson Tide was at its ebb, Alabama at last had lost a Rose Bowl Game.” MUSICFIGHT FOR CALIFORNIA(1909)Our sturdy Golden Bear,Is watching from the skies,Looks down upon our colors fair,And guards us from his lair.Our banner Gold and Blue,The symbol on it too,Means FIGHT! for California.For California through and through!Stalwarts girded for the fray,Will strive for victory,Their all at Mater’s feet will lay,That brain and brawn will win the day.Our mighty sons and trueWill strive for us anew,And FIGHT! for California,For California through and through!CAL DRINKING SONG:For California, for California,The hills send back the cry,We’re out to do or die,For California, for California,We’ll win the game or know the reason why.And when the game is over, we will buy a keg of booze,And drink to California ‘till we wobble in our shoes.So drink, tra la la,Drink, tra la la,Drink, drank, drunk last night,Drunk the night before;Gonna get drunk tonightLike I never got drunk before;For when I’m drunk, I’m as happy as can beFor I am member of the Souse family.Now the Souse family is the best familyThat ever came over from old Germany.There’s the Highland Dutch, and the Lowland Dutch,The Rotterdam Dutch, and the Irish.Sing glorious, victorious,One keg of beer for the four of us.Sing glory be to God that there are no more of us,For one of us could drink it all alone. D****near.Here’s to the Irish, dead drunk. ALL HAIL BLUE AND GOLD(1905)Hail to California,Alma Mater dear;Sing the joyful chorus,Sound it far and near.Rallying round her banner,We will never fail;California, Alma Mater,Hail! Hail! Hail!Hail to California,Queen in whom we’re blest;Spreading light and goodnessOver all the West.Fighting ‘neath her standard,We shall sure prevail;California, Alma Mater,Hail! Hail! Hail!
Leaving San Francisco By Train - 1946 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2021-06-08 | In 1946, in order to travel east from San Francisco by train, one must first cross the bay by ferry (underside of the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge) to reach the Oakland Southern Pacific terminal. From there, your train will head eastward, eventually crossing the the train bridge at Suisun Bay which connects Martinez and Benicia. On the right side of the train, the cameraman took footage of America's 'mothballed' navy ships. This being so soon after WWII, the waters were teeming with surplus ships destined for dismantling.
Shriners Convention - San Francisco - 1946 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2021-06-08 | The first post-war Shriner Convention took place on July 25, 1946 when more than 25,000 "Nobles of the Mystic Order of the Shrine" gathered in San Francisco from all around the country, representing 139 Temples. Grand Marshals of the Parade were then California Governer Earl Warren (later appointed to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1953) and Imperial Potentate William H. Woodfield. The parade went down Market Street and ended up at City Hall where our cameraman was located
Morgan Hill Day Trip - 1948 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2021-06-08 | Short day trip from Morgan Hill, CA to the Barlet Berry Stand on Monterey Road, then off to Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek and Big Basin... all in the comfort of your brand new Cadillac. They were acquired at a garage sale and we believe they depict the Barlet Family of Morgan Hill and Santa Cruz, CA. Charles Barlet Sr. owned and operated the Morgan Hill Hotel on Monterey Road.Can anybody gives us the name of the Golf Couse seen in this film. Remember: it is 1948.
Santa Clara County Hospital Auxiliary - 1964 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2021-05-14 | A black and white promotional/training film from 1964 supporting the volunteer Auxiliary Staff (Candy Stripers) at our own Santa Clara County Hospital on Bascom Avenue in San Jose. This specific film came to us from Martin Ucovich of San Jose.Like the majority of films within our archive, this film was provided to us by members of our community in order to preserve a bit of local history for future generations. Should you have vintage films that might be of local interest, we would love the opportunity to assist you with their preservation in order for future generations may also enjoy them. Please contact us at: www.sccpioneers.comoryoutube.com/user/SCCPioneers
Santa Cruz Flood Aftermath, April 1955 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2021-05-10 | It wasn't the worst flood on record by far, but the big rain that fell the night of April 2, 1958 gushed down the San Lorenzo River like a freight train. This color 8mm footage shows what those waves dislodged and poured onto the shores around Capitola and Santa Cruz.Film discovered at a San Jose estate sale by Joe Baronessa and donated to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. A part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveDigitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleyAll Rights Reserved
Fremont Drag Strip - 1960 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2020-07-30 | We're stumped! Who can help us identify the drag strip (and hopefully the cars and drivers!) in this 8mm Kodachrome film? The film was old stock, but likely shot around 1960 or so. It can't be earlier than 1959 due to the appearance of a wide-windowed VW Beetle that appears in an earlier shot.We believe this was filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area - could this be Fremont Drag Strip?Post your solution, or what you recognize, in the comments below!Film acquired by Joe Baronessa at a Santa Clara County estate sale and donated to the Pioneers Film Archive in 2020.Scanned by Rick HelinEdited by Bill Foley
Santa Cruz Street Scenes - 1960 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-08-19 | Wander the streets of downtown Santa Cruz in this home movie from 1960. You might spot a few shops and names you remember! We spotted: Slocum’s Liquors, Salinas Valley Savings, Voris Realty Co., De Witt's China, Santa Cruz Pet Shop, Moderne Studio Photography, Mobley's Barber Shop, Ferrari Florist, and several others. And, of course, we take a tour of the world-famous Antonella Brothers Begonia Gardens before we go!Donated by the Chiechi Family.A Part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveJoin the California Pioneers to help us preserve local history - and donate your films and photos to receive a free digital copy and preserve your memories for future generationswww.CaliforniaPioneers.com©2019
A Ride Around Happy Hollow - June 12, 1961 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-08-12 | All aboard Danny The Dragon! We'll be swinging around the new Happy Hollow Park today, passing your favorite memories - the monkeys, the seals, the best jungle gyms for miles around, and even the steamboat! You might even spot your classmates atop the stagecoach, or your uncle trapped in the phone booth.Come back soon - we have more attractions to show you!Donated by the Chiechi FamilyDigitized by Rick Helin and Bill FoleyEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archive©2019
Winchester Mystery House - 1945 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-08-11 | Found at an estate sale by Joe Baronessa, this film depicts friends from San Mateo exploring the Winchester Estate in 1945 - it's amazing how things have (and haven't) changed!A Part of the Pioneers Film Archive©2019
Carmel Begonia Festival - 1967 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-06-17 | Capitola's alway been proud of its agricultural heritage, and this event shows it! This 1967 film depicts the Begonia Festival, an aquatic celebration of the beautiful flowers grown by Brown Bulb Ranch and cut each year before the bulbs were harvested. This 14th annual festival featured local girl Sandy Katz (Later Sandra Jean Henderson) as the Begonia Queen, and lots of locals on the shores to view the decorated boats float down the river to the beach.Film donated by Dianne ChiechiDigitized by Rick Helin & Bill FoleyEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.com©2019
San Jose Municipal Stadium - August 1954 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-03-03 | Mel Basuini's Landscaping Service took care of the beautiful San Jose Municipal Stadium on Alma and Senter Road in the 1950s, everything from painting the lines to raking the outfield. Here we get a great look at the home of the San Jose Red Sox from many angles, showing off the empty grandstands on a day between games. While today's view of the field looks similar, the surrounding landscape has altered significantly. In 1954 the Beech-Nut Baby Food Company was still in full operation down the left-field line, and on the extreme right-field horizon, steam engines send up plumes of smoke as they serve Mayfield Packing's sidings near Monterey Highway. Can you make out any of the sponsors on the scoreboard in the outfield? (We're not quite sure about them ourselves, with their red-on-yellow script.)Go San Jose Giants!Generously donated by Mel and Gloria Basuini.A part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.com©2019
The Box Factory - 1946 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2019-01-14 | This 8mm film gives us a glimpse of the inner workings of a box making factory near San Mateo, California. The film, taken shortly after World War 2, shows the industrial and agricultural area of the San Francisco Bay as it was around 1946 - local industry supplied the world with produce, and factories like this dotted the landscape to provide wooden crates and fruit boxes to export the goods of the Santa Clara Valley to the world.The box factory's employees were a mix of women and men, in part because of the need for labor during wartime, when most local boys were enlisted in the armed services. In this case we are unsure of the exact location of the factory, but it was included in a collection of San Mateo and Redwood City-area films discovered by Joe Baroness and donated to the Pioneers Film Archive. If the people or places look familiar, let us know by commenting on the video!Thanks for watching - you can support the Pioneers Film Archive by donating local films to our collection or by becoming a member of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.www.CaliforniaPioneers.com©2019
My Little Girl California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2018-11-14 | This little black and white gem from 1930 came to us from Chris Treadway and the East Bay. Chris found it among his late mother's effects. It had not seen the light of day for eighty-two years. The mystery film turned out to be some wonderful moving images of his mother, Jo Annette, when she was only three years old. She is shown playing with Chris's grandmother, Lucile.
Redwood City Parade & Rodeo - 1954 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2018-09-11 | Footage of the 1954 Redwood City Fourth of July Parade, filmed by Jacob Norsworthy and donated to the Pioneers Film Archive by his wife Arline.A star-studded parade, the event's headliners were Bill Williams and Don Diamond, who played Kit Carson and El Toro on the early television western, "The Adventures of Kit Carson." Over 10,000 people attended to see their TV heroes rope and ride at the rodeo, and weren't disappointed!Another recognizable star rode in the parade (and got friendly with the spectators), the original Bozo The Clown, Pinto Colvig, who started in vaudeville and later became known as the original voice of Goofy. Pinto was well-known by 1954 for his Bozo The Clown read-along records, and was soon to hand the character over to his son Vance Colvig for Bozo's first television series.This film is also notable for the appearance of the world-famous Half Moon Bay Spanishtown Dons. The Dons were an acclaimed drill team, responding to commands in Spanish, with colorful "Zorro-style" uniforms and over 100 awards to their credit. In 1951 they appeared on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town" and Art Baker's "You Asked For It."The parade featured seven bands, including the Sequoia High School Band, the Hamilton Field Air Corps Band, Caledonia Bag Pipers, Palo Alto Elks Club, and multiple drill teams and fraternal organizations.Queen of the Rodeo and Miss Redwood City, Joanne Bordi rode her Palomino horse "Golden Joy." The parade is seen from the intersection (now much altered) of Broadway and the SP Railroad.The Rodeo was held across Bayshore Highway, which was soon to become Highway 101 and displace the rodeo grounds. A part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveIf you have local films, help preserve them for the future! We digitize home movies and arrange digital copies - contact us at sccpioneers@gmail.com for information.All rights reserved ©2018
The Basuini Family Fireworks Stand - 1961 & 1962 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2017-07-04 | It was a neighborhood institution - every year, Mel and Gloria Basuini set up their fireworks stand at the corner of Meridian and Foxworthy Avenues in San Jose, and if you stuck around long enough on those hot June and July days, you'd see just about every neighbor you knew. Willow Glen in those days was still orchards, but the signs around the empty lot heralded the new developments and the coming of urban sprawl. Kids rode theor bikes, local ranchersand orchardists rode their horses, and truckers stopped their rigs, all to grab some Red Devil fireworks and celebrate the Fourth of July. These days the roads are lines with homes and strip malls rather than walnut trees, and the fireworks are illegal in town, but the Basuinis and their neighbors are still around, and still remember Willow Glen as it used to be.8mm Film generously donated by Mel and Gloria BasuiniDigitized by Rick Helin and Bill FoleyEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveA service of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara CountyIf you would like to donate your film, slides, or photographs to the Pioneers, so that future generations can remember California the way that you do, please contact us at film@CaliforniaPioneers.comWe can let you know how we can provide digital copies of your memories to share with your family.All Rights Reserved by their Original Rightsholders.www.californiapioneers.com
Football: San Jose State vs. Santa Clara - 1951 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2016-03-24 | Though they may be neighbors in California's Santa Clara Valley, San Jose State's Spartans and Santa Clara University's Broncos rarely face off against each other. In this Independent Conference matchup, the two prestigious universities fought their hardest, but ended the game in the only tie of either team's season, 7-7.Shot on November 17, 1951 by Louis M. Giaraud, this film was found and donated by Joe Baronessa.Digitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill Foley and Rick HelinA Part of the Pioneers Film Archive©2016
A Day & Night at the Golden Gate International Exposition - 1939 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2016-03-23 | California's sun played host to a pair of expositions in 1939, the most famous of these being the Golden Gate International Expo, held on San Francsco's Treasure Island, a man-made island in the middle of San Francisco Bay specially constructed for the Event. The two-year fair paid tribute to the Pacific Ocean and its crossing, exemplified by the fleets of flying boats moored alongside the isle and the massive statue of Pacifica at the fair's center.This 16mm film lay in Hawaii from 1939 until 2015, when it was donated to our archives by David Nardini. Hawaii's humidity and years of storage wreaked havoc on the acetate film, scarring and crazing it badly. The images recorded on the medium, however, are just as poignant as ever - a clear summer day and a brightly-lit night on this temporary isle of wonder.Digitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.comDonate your films today and rescue them from deterioration or loss. We'll preserve them for future generations to study and enjoy.Contact us at film@CaliforniaPioneers.com©2016
Fiesta of the Holy Ghost, Santa Clara, CA - 1938 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2016-01-17 | The Portugese community in Santa Clara County has always been a close-knit one, and no date shone brighter on the calendar than the Fiesta of the Holy Ghost, when hundreds of residents would parade down The Alameda and Santa Clara Street, from the S.E.S. Hall to Five Woulds Cathedral.This year's parade was skillfully captured on 16mm film by Al Mattos, whose sister Edith was that year's queen. Beginning with his stop-motion scrolling titles, Al films the crowds, bands, vehicles, and volunteer groups along the route, forever memorializing this long-lost tradition. Walking down Santa Clara Street, now a bustling thoroughfare, the normal traffic on this state highway was suspended and white-suited children, marching bands, and honored guests marched down recently covered streetcar tracks to the cathedral.At the picture's close, queen Edith Mattos (later well known as Edith Walter, a driving force behind the Portugese Museum in San Jose) models her gorgeous gown.Film donated by Edith Walter & familyDigitized by Rick Helin and Bill FoleyEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveDonate your films today to be preserved as a part of local history. Ask us how we can provide FREE digital copies! Email Film@CaliforniaPioneers.comwww.CaliforniaPioneers.comLike us on facebook at facebook.com/sccpioneersFollow us on twitter @SCCPioneers©2015 All Rights Reserved by their original rights holders.
Columbus Day Parade, Santa Clara CA - 1956 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-11-15 | When October rolled around in Santa Clara, the community knew what the biggest attraction was going to be - the Columbus Day Parade! Held on Friday October 12, 1956, the Santa Clara Columbus Day Parade was well-attended, and featured marching bands, local businesses, military color-guards, and the Sunseri Family Accordion Band, seemingly the stars of this film. Many now-gone buildings from Santa Clara's historic downtown are features, including banks, restaurants, and jewelers. How many of you remember these places, before Frankln Square was redeveloped a few short years later?Donated by Phil Sunseri and family.Scanned and edited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.comAll Rights Reserved by their original copyright holders.©2015
Charcoal Trail Headstone Recovery - 2015 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-07-11 | Work Day on the Charcoal Trail - Great group of volunteers working with rangers on a sweltering day in July.After over a year of research, work, and collaboration, the In Grave Danger Gang of the California Pioneers has collaborated with the Midpeninsula Open Space District to recover and relocate a cache of grave markers that were found close to the Charcoal Trail near Stevens Creek County Park. Thanks to Claire Warren for organizing this momentous event, in which we moved the stones to a local cemetery for cleaning, restoration, and eventual return to their families and original gravesites.Thanks to volunteers from E Clampus Vitus (Satisfactory!), MPOSD, Appiro, and others.For more info on the Pioneers' "In Grave Danger" program, visit InGraveDanger.tumblr.comCheck out facebook.com/sccpioneers for further updates and events.©2015 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
USS Akron at Moffett Field - May 13, 1932 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-04-04 | In May of 1932, The new U.S. Navy airship Akron (ZRS-4) moored for the first time at the new airship base at NAS Sunnyvale, California, later christened NAS Moffett Field. Destined to be the future home of the USS Macon, Hangar 1 is seen under construction in this short clip. Just the previous day, three seamen holding mooring cables to secure the Akron were hoisted into the air and carried hundreds of feet aloft in strong winds. Two of these men plunged to their deaths, and one was later pulled in after hanging aloft for over an hour. Despite this grisly event, the Akron was greeted warmly by Bay Area residents upon its arrival, and the Bayshore Highway (US 101) was jammed with onlookers.After two days at the airbase, the Akron proceeded north to "show the flag" along the California, Oregon, and Washington coast, flying over Canada before returning to Sunnyvale and proceeding east again. The Akron was lost on April 4, 1933, when it went down in a storm off the New Jersey coast. The Macon, which later occupied Hangar 1 at Moffett Field (named for the Rear Admiral who was killed in the Akron's crash) was also wrecked off the California coast only two years later, the twin disasters spelling the end of the U.S. Navy's rigid airship program.Film donated by the Prelinger ArchiveEdited by Bill FoleyDo you have old films, slides, or photographs? Consider donating them to the California Pioneers Film Archive. We can provide you digital copies of them to share, and will preserve the original films for future generations to learn from and enjoy.Contact us at Film@CaliforniaPioneers.comwww.CaliforniaPioneers.comLike us at facebook.com/sccpioneersOn twitter @SCCPioneers©2015
Santa Cruz Beach Scenes - 1936 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-03-26 | Donated by our own volunteer Rick Helin, this 1936 film was found on ebay, and takes us on a great romp through Santa Cruz in living color!Full of fun and magic tricks, these ladies and gentlemen had a magnificent day at the beach. We don't know who they were, but we like them already!Donated by Rick HelinDigitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archive©2015 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
Saratoga Blossom Festival - 1931 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-03-21 | Donated by Jim Carter, this 1931 film offers a rare glimpse at an event that captivated California for decades - the Blossom Festival in Saratoga, California. Each year thousands would attend a weekend of pageants, dancing, speeches, food, and fun in Saratoga, in the hills above the blooming valley of Santa Clara County.Though breif, this film gives an idea of the crowds that flocked to this quiet town for a little slice of paradise.Donated by Jim CarterEdited by Bill FoleyDigitized by Rick Helinwww.CaliforniaPioneers.comIf you have old films of California, we'd love to see them and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. Contact us at Fim@CaliforniaPioneers.comfacebook.com/sccpioneers©2014 All Rights Reserved
Motorcyclists - Los Gatos Creek at Suñol (Lonus) 1957 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2015-02-25 | Summertime in San Jose, when the weather's warm and the creeks are low - making for a great opportunity for motorcycle enthusiasts Mel Basuini and brother-in-law Mike Sanfilippo. Riding Mel's Villiers one-cylinder motorcycle in the heart of Willow Glen, these two take to the steep creekbed for some slow-motion hillclimbing, with varying degrees of success. The Willow Glen Trestle features prominently as the pair ride around and over the iconic historic structure. Cars cruise by in the background on two-lane Lincoln Avenue. Last, the short, stretch of Suñol Avenue, now the dead-end Lonus Street, makes a dusty doughnut venue! In front of Mayfair Packing Company, Mel takes a spill that he remembers clearly, though perhaps not fondly, to this day.To support the efforts to preserve the Willow Glen Trestle, visit http://wgbackfence.net/trestleand visit www.facebook.com/willowglentrestleFilm donated by Mel and Gloria Basuini.Digitized and edited by Bill FoleyA Part of the Pioneers Film Archivewww.CaliforniaPioneers.comDo you have films of the Santa Clara Valley? Contact us to find out how to get them digitized and preserved for future generations! Film@CaliforniaPioneers.com©2014
Cutting & Drying Cots - 1955 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-12-29 | The Basuini Family give us a lesson in family work ethic, cutting and drying apricots grown right in their own backyard on Willow Glen's Lincoln Avenue. How long has it been since you saw drying trays stretched out in the sun to prepare their golden harvest? You can almost taste them!Donated by Mel and Gloria BasuiniA Part of the Pioneers Film ArchiveDigitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill Foley©2014 All Rights Reserved
The Army of Good Cheer - Gilroy, CA - 1932 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-12-25 | The Army of Good Cheer mustered in 1932 under the command of Irwin Hollister. Their mission: to bring happiness and holiday goodwill to the city of Gilroy, and enjoy the best doughnuts they could make! Well, we can definitively say that, despite the depth of the country's depression and the winter's chill, they succeeded!Please consider donating your old films to the Pioneers Film Archive, and ensure that they last for generations to come. Film decays, and wont wait to be preserved. Ask us how we can keep your family's memories from disappearing, and how they can entertain and educate people around the world through the Pioneers Film Archive.Donated by George & Dave Porcella. Special thanks to Phill Laursen and the Gilroy Historical Society.Scanned by Bill Foley and Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleyAll rights reserved by their original rightsholders. This edit Copyright 2014.
Almaden Day Parade - 1954 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-12-24 | Welcome to New Almaden, the little mining town in Santa Clara Valley that made the Gold Rush possible! This tiny community is worth celebrating, and that's what they're doing here at the New Almaden Days Parade, circa 1954. Shot by Mel Basuini, a certified classic car buff, this film highlights the vehicles and personalities of this colorful festival, an annual event that continues to this day!Edited by Bill FoleyDigitized by Rick HelinJoin the Pioneers and help save local films!www.CaliforniaPioneers.comDonate your films today and receive a free digital copy in return - ask us how! Film@CaliforniaPioneers.com
The Year of the Big Rain - Dec. 1931 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-12-10 | The month of December, 1931 was a wet one in Santa Clara Valley. For years, creeks flowed with winter rains and deposited soil on their beds, until the point that some riverbeds were nearly at the level of the surrounding countrysides. Multiple rainstorms and dark, sunless skies led to a buildup of water in the area's creeks, and just after Christmas came another torrent of water from above.Newspapers report flood waters throughout the South Bay. On December 27th, a farmer in Alviso opened a floodgate on the Coyote Creek's levee near Zanker road, and the resulting torrent of water flooded miles of land. On December 29, a Santa Cruz paper reported: "The most popular song many Soquel families were singing was "River stay away from my door". Old timers had seen Soquel Creek on a rampage before, but those coming here within the last twenty years had never believed it could be possible to have it move right inside their homes".This film, taken by Gilroy's George & Dave Porcella in the aftermath of these storms and floods, records endless expanses of Santa Clara Valley and Coyote Valley underwater. What locations can you recognize?Film donated by George & Dave Porcella and Phill LaursenScanned by Bill Foley and Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleySpecial thanks to the Gilroy Historical SocietyHelp the Pioneers preserve the visual heritage of California. Consider donating your films to the Pioneers Film Archive, and ask us how to get FREE digital copies for your family.Film@CaliforniaPioneers.comwww.CaliforniaPioneers.comEdited by Bill Foley©2014 All Rights Reserved by their original rightsholders
The Winchester Mystery House - 1961 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-11-24 | It's 1961, you're on vacation in the Bay Area - where do you go? The Winchester Mystery House, of course! This vast, Victorian mansion with its seemingly mysterious architecture and vague, spooky past is still a must-see on San Jose tourists' lists. Sarah Winchester may not have actually been so mysterious and spooky as she's been billed for generations, and her home's quirks may be explainable by knowing that much of the house was destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake (and her love of architecture led her to redesign, rather than repair, the cut-off stairways and halls), but it's still fun to count how many spires and spiderwebs you can find in the ornate roofline and Tiffany glass.Donated by the Prelinger Archivewww.Prelinger.comEdited by Bill FoleyJoin the Pioneers and help save local films!www.CaliforniaPioneers.comDonate your films today and receive a free digital copy in return - ask us how! Film@CaliforniaPioneers.com
Farewell at San Jose - June 19, 1927 California Pioneers of Santa Clara County 2014-11-10 | The Normandin Family bids farewell to family and friends in San Jose before boarding a train at the Basset Street railroad depot, marking the start of their five-month tour of the United States and Europe in 1927.It's a brief clip, but shows how much difference nearly 90 years can make in style of dress and modes of transportation. Air travel was at this point still in its infancy, and the regular steam trains out of San Jose's old station on Market & Bassett Street were what linked this community to the world. This clip was as normal as could be in 1927, but today is clearly a piece of history. Do you have old film reels lying around? Consider donating them to the Pioneers Film Archive, and allow them to become part of the history of the Bay Area.film@CaliforniaPioneers.comDonated by the Normandin FamilyDigitized by Rick HelinEdited by Bill FoleyFind us on Facebook at facebook.com/sccpioneersFollow us on twitter @sccpioneersAll rights reserved by their original rightsholders©2014
