The collection includes newspaper columns, letters and typewritten history manuscripts written by Dr. John W. Winkley, as well as historical information about the Contra Costa County Historical Society. The collection was donated in 1987 by former CCCHS board member Roy Bloss, a longtime resident of Alamo who passed away in 2012.

Winkley, a Methodist minister, had a popular column in the Oakland Tribune newspaper in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The column was titled “The Knave” and included stories of Winkley’s travels throughout the west and Midwest. The letters and manuscripts in the collection are from Winkley’s time as a board member and newsletter editor for the Contra Costa County Historical Society. Born in Indiana in the 1880s, Winkley graduated from Boston University in 1908, became a Methodist minister and settled in Auburn, California before moving to Contra Costa County. He lived into his 80s.

1 box

Contact the Contra Costa County Historical Society for publication permission.

Collection is open for research.