Author Archives: June Morrall

Spring 1924: “We merely wanted to show that real liquor was being smuggled into this country.”

From the Chronicle, May 14, 1924 Paul Rubio Payne, alias Pane, Thomas Murphy, Percy Allen, alias Allender, Charles Munsun and Sidney Heild, allged professional bootleggers, and said to be operating a fleet of rum-running vessels between Vancouver and Pacific Coast … Continue reading

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John Vonderlin Says: San Gregorio Metal Thieves…Beware!

Story/Photos by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, A change of schedule forced us to cancel the trip to the San Mateo History Museum last week, but we were able to use the fabulous weather to cruise the Coastside. … Continue reading

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Manuel M. Bettencourt of San Gregorio

Image: Early San Gregorio From History of San Mateo County by Frank Stanger, Narrative and Biographical, 1938 For many years Manuel M. Bettencourt has been identified with transportation activities, owing his advancement to proven worth and ability, and in civic … Continue reading

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Stanford’s Bailey Willis hunted “shakes” all over the world

(Image: World renowned geologist Bailey Willis, at right, with topographer R. Harvey Sargent ready to embark on their historic China trip in 1903.) Professor Bailey Willis hunted earthquakes By June Morrall When the fearless 72-year-old Stanford geologist Bailey Willis went … Continue reading

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1886: Pigeon Point lighthouse was in defalcation: Story by John Vonderlin

“Pigeon Point Thread” Story by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, After reading JoAnne Semone’s article in “La Peninsula,” coupled with my Rob Tillitz correspondence, regarding photographs of the Pigeon Point area (to help him promote his book, “Smuggler’s … Continue reading

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La Peninsula: JoAnne Semones writes about Pigeon Point

& Montara’s Bruce Jenkins analyzes Big Wave “Mavericks” Review by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, I was just reading the Winter issue of “La Peninsula,” the Journal of the San Mateo Historical Association. The cover and first twelve … Continue reading

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Where is Saint’s Rest?

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1903: Over-the-Hill VIPs announce their railroad from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero

and a second feeder to their big amusement center called “Pacific City” at Coyote Point. [Image above: Pacific City at Coyote Point was actually built. Here’s the entrance. perhaps on “opening day.” There were rides for the kids and a … Continue reading

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190?: Did the Pescaderans want their own railroad?

From John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) The San Francisco Call April 3, 190? ROAD WILL SHORTEN TRIP BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND SANTA CRUZ BY TEN MILES Special Dispatch to The Call Pescadero April 3- Several of the owners and promoters … Continue reading

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Frontier-Justice/Pescadero-Style: Story by John Vonderlin

[Image: South Coast character, identity unknown. Courtesy of the Steele family,] The Crimes of Pescadero, Part II Story by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, As long as my recent postings have revolved about  Pescadero Creek, perhaps it is … Continue reading

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