Winston Elstob was born in Flushing, New York, on January 5, 1927. He moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1957 and managed a bookstore on Cannery Row called “The Polygon” (1962). During this time he developed an ardent interest in California and Monterey history. He became an active member of the community in working to save Cannery Row and was the president of the Cannery Row Association. Elstob is also passionate political activist and environmentalist. He is a founding member of the Green Party of Monterey County, previous co-chair of the Peace Coalition of Monterey County, and was president of Veterans for Peace (Chapter 46 of Monterey County). He has authored three books: Chinatown a Legend of Old Cannery Row (1965) and The Handbook for the Juan Bautista De Anza Expedition (1975), and edited Birds: an Anthology of Poems (1971). Elstob currently resides in Pacific Grove, California.

During Monterey’s 1970 Bicentennial celebration, Elstob was appointed as the Bicentennial Director of the historic walking tours of the city. As Bicentennial celebration and festivities commenced, the walking tours group decided to continue conducting historical city walking tours and it was through this effort that Elstob co-founded the California Heritage Guides, a non-profit organization. It was through the Heritage Guides that Elstob met Helen Shropshire. His interest in local history and the strong California- Mexican connection fueled a discussion with Shropshire about finding some way to celebrate this rich heritage during the U.S. Bicentennial. Elstob and Shropshire proposed that the Guides could create an event to represent the West Coast during the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations. Elstob’s idea was to bring attention to Juan Bautista de Anza’s epic journey from Mexico to California during 1775-1776, by reenacting his long and arduous trek.

1 linear ft.: 5 cartons

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