Pescadero Memories

From the San Mateo Times & Gazette

1871:

Pescadero Letter

We have had some little excitement during the last week. The steam signal, at Pigeon Point, was put up for the purpose of warning vessels during the heavy fogs, to keep off shore. The (?) in charge get steam up to ninety pounds; then whistle six times; water then gives out; then a rest of four hours for a supply of water to generate steam to blow again takes place. The noise is like a stuck hog, or at a distance, like a cow in distress. 

Mr. Pinkham, first night he heard it, three miles off the Point, mistook it for the (?) of a cow, and being certain that a grizzly was preying upon his stock, he quickly repaired to a field where the cattle were, with a party of five or six armed men to do battle service. 

The next day revealed the fact that a fog signal was located at Pigeon Point–a failure. The work is proceeding under the control of (?) Marston. The brick work for the tower is under the able management of Mr. Wallace who is bound to have a substantial light house. done in a workmanlike manner. They have established a good shipping here….

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From the History of San Mateo County by Philip Alexander & Charles Hamm

The subject of this sketch was born in Eureka, Humboldt County, California, October 27, 1881. He received his education in the grammar and high schools; and attended business college until he decided to study medicine. He entered the Cooper Medical College, and after he graduated, immediately entered the City and County Hospital at San Francisco as house physician. He then removed to Eureka and became acting assistant surgeon and officer in command of the station. After two years he left for Alaska, practicing there for two years before locating in Pescadero, where he has been more than successful.

Two years ago [1914], Dr. Thomas entered the political field and was elected supervisor from his district, which term he is now serving.

Dr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic and Elk Lodges.

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July 1872

“Loren Coburn and Orrin Brown are preparing to construct a boom at the mouth of Pescadero Creek. The object of this boom is to catch logs during high water, they previously having been cut and hauled into the stream above. The expense in lumbering is land freighting, a labor generally performed in this State by man and beast. Rafting and floating logs at high water is extensively and profitably resorted to in the Eastern States. The timber along the banks of Pescadero Creek and its tributaries is of vast extent, and almost unknown to the ravages of the woodman’s axe. It makes its manufacture into lumber profitable, reduced expense of transportation is demanded. This it is believed can be secured by the plan to be adopted by Messrs. Brown and Coburn…They propose to erect a large sawmill near the boom, and a railroad from the mill to Pigeon Point, five miles down the coast, the nearest point of shipment…..”

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“Crimes of Pescadero, Part IV)

Story from John Vonderlin

Email John ([email protected])

Story by John Vonderlin

Email John ([email protected])

Hi June,
Meg is helping organize a fundraiser, the traditional “Crab Cioppino” feed, for the La Honda Fire Brigade. She asked me to lend her some appropriate decorations from my marine debris collection, which I was happy to do. Here’s a picture of one SUV load of nautical theme

accessories, courtesy of the once fluorishing local crab industry. The sea anemone in the other picture

obviously plans on being there, probably first in line. Enjoy. John

July 1895 (from the San Francisco Examiner)

The sloop that was reported wrecked on New Year Island early on Tuesday morning by the lighthouse inspector was the Silver Thorn that was recently launched by Gray & Muller. She was chartered by E. W. Littlejohn, who started with her and a crew of two men on an otter-hunting cruise along the southern coast of California. 

The vessel was lying hove to off Pigeon Point, when she sprung a leak about midnight on Monday. The three men had all they could do to keep her afloat, and they ran for New Year Island to put her on the beach. It was low tide when they ran her upon the shore and not long afterward a heavy swell set in. She began pounding on the bottom, and before she could be pulled off again she was a wreck. By daylight she was in pieces and nothing was saved from her. The shipwrecked men were given shelter by the crew of the foghorn station at New Year point.

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From the Redwood City Standard, 1927

David Eugene Moore, trusted employee at the county court house and member of one of the oldest pioneer families of the coastside, passed away at his home, 157 Jackson Street…Mr. Moore was born in Pescadero 69 years ago, his parents being among the earliest settlers on the coastside, where they followed farming and ranching for many years.

Mrs. Mary S. Moore, the widow, was also a member of a pioneer family of Pescadero, her name before her marriage being Miss Mary Hayward. She is a sister of Mrs. Walter Ray of this city and the late Clarence D. Hayward of this city. Two children survive. They are Harry E. Moore and Mrs. Maude Witherley.

Mr. Moore also leaves three brothers, Eli and William Moore of Pescadero and Joseph Moore of Soquel, and one sister, Mrs. Charles Steele of Pescadero.

The family moved to Redwood City a number of years ago and Mr. Moore was connected for some time with the Fox-McNulty Lumber Co. on Washington Street, before being employed at the court house. Internment at Pescadero….