Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee, 1969-1986

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Summary

Title:
Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee
Dates:
1969-1986
Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
5 Folders
Language:
Preferred citation:

Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee. Port Costa Museum and Archives Project

Background

Scope and content:

This is a collection of items relating to the Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee. It includes meeting minutes, notes, letters, notices, correspondences, newspaper clippings and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

The Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee started as a committee formed on September 2nd, 1969 by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to study the feasibility of establishing a seven-mile scenic drive on the stretch of Pomona Street (road no. 2191) between Martinez and Crockett. These seven miles were sometimes referred to as Snake Road or Mae West Road because of the notable curves. The road had the potential for stunning views of the Carquinez Strait, but was overgrown and not well-maintained. It was also the site of much illegal dumping. The board-appointed representatives to what was then called the Seven Mile Scenic Drive committee were Winona Miller and John Sparacino from Martinez, Margaret Boyer and Adine Angelo from Crockett, and Hazel Tobin from Port Costa. Winona Miller was appointed chair (a position she held until the committee disbanded in 1986) and John Sparcino was vice chair. The group met for the first time on September 23rd, 1969 and formed the rest of the committee, including Eva Pembroke from Port Costa who organized a chicken and dumpling dinner fundraiser for the committee in November of 1969. Eva Pembroke remained on the committee until it disbanded in 1986, serving as secretary for much of that time. The initial plan, laid out in an October 14, 1969 memo was to begin with clearing brush and dead wood from vistas and planting wildflowers. Road maintenance and regrading were also early priorities as was cleaning up trash and cracking down on illegal dumping. At their January 3, 1972 meeting, the committee considered changing the name from Seven Mile Drive as it had been unofficially called since the committee formed to something more specific. Carquinez Scenic Drive was chosen. The committee continued to refer to itself as Seven Mile Scenic Drive Committee in their meeting minutes until the May, 1972 meeting. At the March meeting, they discussed the fact that the board of supervisors was considering a name change and at the April meeting a resolution to change the name was put before the committee. On April 11th, 1972 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors officially changed the name of the seven-mile stretch of road to Carquinez Scenic Drive and commended the work of the Seven Mile Scenic Drive Committee in establishing feasibility and beautifying the scenic road. On January 21, 1986 the committee met for dinner and a meeting at the Warehouse. Winona Miller offered her resignation because she was moving to Illinois and the committee decided it was time to disband as they had achieved their goals.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Port Costa Museum and Archives Project staff.
Date Prepared:
1969-1986
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for Research

Preferred citation:

Carquinez Scenic Drive Committee. Port Costa Museum and Archives Project

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 36
1 Plaza del Hambre
Port Costa, CA 94569, US
Contact:
(510) 455-2534
PortCostaMuseum@gmail.com
Website