thepress.net - Your hometown news source for Brentwood CA

A photo of Samuel, front row second from right, taken in 1935. The Holocaust survivor was part of Great Britain’s Kindertransport program during World War II. <br><i>Photo courtesy of Ralph Samuel</i>

Holocaust survivor to speak in Brentwood
In l939, 7-year old Ralph Samuel’s parents kissed their son goodbye, put him on a transport plane to England – and saved his life. It would be the last time the German Jew would see his father and ...

Feb 02, 2012 | 0

| 6

full story

The California State Parks and Recreation Commission is expected to rename the Cowell Ranch/John Marsh property – which includes the John Marsh House – “Los Meganos State Park.” <br><i>Photo courtesy of Carol Jensen</i>

State park project moves ahead
The next hurdle in the ongoing quest to secure 3,600 acres near Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood as a state historic park is nearly complete. But for some proponents of the John Marsh Historic Trust, ...

Dec 29, 2011 | 1

| 17

full story

On the cover: East County’s Vasco Caves is just one of hundreds of place names explained by historian Bill Mero in his new book, “Shadows on the Hills.” <br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>

Shining light on the Shadows
The history of place names in Contra Costa

Dec 15, 2011 | 0

| 13

full story

History Mystery solved
History sleuths love a good mystery, as evidenced by the responses to last month’s History Mystery. The featured postcard showed an unpaved road lined with trees and white, horizontal-board buildin...

Dec 06, 2011 | 0

| 10

full story

This photo of the Liberty Union High School Student Body Class of 1911 is just one of many treasured historical photos that appear in the 2012 East Contra Costa Historical Society calendar. <br><i>Photos courtesy of ECCHS
</i>

Stroll memory lane in ECCHS calendar
Back by popular demand and just in time for the holidays, the East Contra Costa Historical Society (ECCHS) calendar is now available for purchase, and this year’s edition is better than ever. “We’...

Dec 01, 2011 | 0

| 60

full story

A pair of visitors can be seen in this photo of the Rose Hill Cemetery at Black Diamond Mines. Taken in 1939 by Zelma Myrick, the photo looks east toward the Somersville town site.<br><i>Photo courtesy of Traci Parent</i>

New book about old cemetery
A book published this year by the East Bay Regional Park District documents the history of Rose Hill Cemetery, now a part of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. The book by Supervisin...

Nov 17, 2011 | 0

| 7

full story

Downtown heritage cast in bronze
The new entrance arch on Oak Street in downtown Brentwood includes a bronze relief map, seen here, showing some of the area’s significant buildings. Here are a few of them: 1) The former Immaculat...

Nov 17, 2011 | 0

| 3

full story

CCC history project seeks intern help
The Contra Costa County Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee, under the auspices of the Contra Costa County Historical Society, is updating its Historic Resource List (HRL). Students from the Cont...

Nov 17, 2011 | 0

| 5

full story

Saloonkeeper Jimmie Torres sits outside his Brentwood saloon, where he was killed by an unknown assailant. Torres’ ghost is said to occasionally visit the establishment, now known as Sweeney’s.

East County – prime haunting grounds
Region’s history lives on in paranormal phenomena

Nov 03, 2011 | 1

| 40

full story

Historian Charlie Bohakel points out areas of interest at Waldie Plaza in downtown Antioch. A group of 30 Antioch residents joined Bohakel on the walk with the Take Back Antioch Walking Club.<br><i>Photo by Samie Hartley</i>

A walk down Antioch’s memory lane
Antioch historian Charlie Bohakel recently treated members of Take Back Antioch to a history walk in downtown Antioch, a stroll he hasn’t taken since 2001. Bohakel, a professor at Los Medanos Coll...

Oct 20, 2011 | 0

| 6

full story