Upcoming Dinner Program & Site Visit

Founding Danville Families: The Baldwins & The Woods

Please join us on Thursday, September 18 for a memorable evening combining a rare opportunity for an historic site visit in conjunction with our monthly dinner program. We are excited to welcome local author and historian Beverly Lane, who will present on the rich history of the Baldwin and Wood families—two of Danville’s earliest and most influential settlers.

Details on optional Wood Ranch Site Visit

Before the start of our normal dinner program on the 18^th, the Wood family has graciously offered to allow us access to their historic property and recently-restored barn. We are offering a self-guided walking tour at the property between 5:00–6:30 pm on September 18^th. One of our Board members will be present to greet you and record your visit. Afterward, we will gather at Black Bear Diner in Danville for dinner at 7:00 pm, where Beverly Lane will bring these founding family stories to life.

SITE VISIT DETAILS

• Address: The Wood Ranch, 2900 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94526

• Date: September 18th

• Time: Any time between 5:00pm-6:30pm

DINNER PROGRAM DETAILS

• Address: Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville, CA 94526

• Date: September 18^th

• Time: 7:00pm

• Cost: $25 per person (*free* if you claim a dinner voucher, see below)

***FREE DINNER VOUCHERS – LIMITED SUPPLY***

We are offering FREE DINNER VOUCHERS to the first 50 guests who RSVP promptly and attend both the Wood Ranch site visit and the dinner program. Please respond ASAP—vouchers are first come first served and will go fast!

To reserve, email [email protected] with your name and guest list.

For guests who do not wish to RSVP to visit the Wood Ranch and claim a free dinner voucher, tickets may be purchased online at www.srvhistoricalsociety.org or at the door.

New Members in 2025 

A warm welcome to our newest members! Thank you for joining us and helping keep our local history alive.

John & Tena Gallagher

Tony & Dee Geisler

Jane Johnson

Paula Kohn

Heather Roney

Al Steunenberg

Fire at the historic “El Nido” Harlan House in San Ramon

On July 16th, the historic Harlan House in San Ramon (also known as El Nido) was severely damaged by fire. Built in 1852, the home was one of the oldest wooden structures in the state. In the 1860 census, it sheltered not only the pioneering Harlan family, who had crossed the plains alongside the Donner Party, but also relatives tied to the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill: George and William Weimer, the children credited with finding the famous “Weimer Nugget,” the gold nugget that kicked off the California gold rush and is still housed at the Bancroft Library in Berkeley. The home also hosted Bill Fowler, an early overland emigrant who later helped rescue survivors of the Donner tragedy.

In an interview with NBC Bay Area regarding the fire and the house’s history, SRVHS Board member Bill Clarkson emphasized that “in many ways, California history flows through that house,” from San Francisco’s earliest days—when the first American child born in the city was a Harlan—to the family’s settlement of acreage purchased from José María Amador in San Ramon. When Alameda County was split off from Contra Costa County in 1853, the house was used as a boundary marker between the two counties, and began receiving property tax bills from both counties, prompting the Harlans to dismantle and move the house to its present location.

Though the fire destroyed much of the structure, there is hope that portions of the facade may be salvaged to preserve this historic legacy.

NOW ACCEPTING ONLINE PAYMENTS

We are excited to announce that we are now offering online payment options! In addition to cash and checks, you can now easily pay for memberships, purchase dinner tickets, and make donations directly through our secure online payment platform.

Please visit www.srvhistoricalsociety.org for more information. Thank you for your support!

We’re always looking for feedback and new ideas from our members

Please email us at [email protected] with ideas for dinner speakers you’d like to hear from, local history topics you want to learn more about, suggestions for new commemorative plaques or online content, or anything else that’s on your mind.