A HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
by Tom Panas

Join us for a moderate walk through Sunset View Cemetery. It was founded in 1908 by folks from Berkeley, a city that lacks its own cemetery. The cemetery is one of the most fascinating places in either El Cerrito or Kensington, which it straddles. Learn about the interesting history of this cemetery and the people who are buried here. We’ll walk by the beautiful chapel, a modern design by William Corlett, as we walk up the hill and wend our way through the cemetery.

Meet in the vacant lot across Colusa Avenue from the cemetery. Free. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018

For information, Dave Weinstein, 510-524-1737, davidsweinstein@yahoo.com

El Cerrito" Historical Narratives
Featured Stories

Lucille Irish - El Cerrito's "Go To Gal"
By Rich Bartke

Rich Bartke, a founder of the Historical Society and former councilman and mayor, recalls Lucille Irish, who passed away in February at age 89.
There was a time when if you wanted something done in El Cerrito, or information about the community, you contacted Lucille Irish. Lucille served in the City Clerk’s office for 40 years, the last 20 as City Clerk. She was the “go-to” person in the community for many of those years. It didn’t matter who was Mayor or who was City Manager, Lucille was the keystone, the axis around which everything turned.


El CERRITO HISTORICAL SOCIETY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2017, GOALS FOR 2018

El Cerrito’s Centennial occupied much of the society’s attention in 2017. Of the 78 Centennial events listed on the centennial calendar, the Historical Society sponsored or co-sponsored 17 of them – more than any other organization, we believe. Pat Shaw represented the historical society on Centennial planning.
 
The society toured historic buildings and neighborhoods, featured talks on the city’s origins and growth and delved into how El Cerrito became the place we know and love. We learned about the Castro family, our city’s “gambling past,” the history of our recycling center and our Boy Scout camp, Camp Herms – among other subjects. (CHECK OUT THE LIST!)

If your local organization would like a speaker on these or related topics, the El Cerrito Historical Society has a speakers panel available. Contact David Weinstein 524-1737 davidsweinstein@yahoo.com Click Here for more details.

EL CERRITO NOTABLES

The El Cerrito Historical Society believes that a remarkable number of noteworthy people have come from El Cerrito or have lived here at some time in their lives. A few were world famous, others were well-known in the area or were particularly noteworthy in their own field. This list is an attempt to compile those names now known to the Society. In the future the Society hopes to compile a list of those who were significant in the development and growth of El Cerrito. This is a work in progress, and your suggestions for additions, editing, or deletions are welcome. Click Here to visit our extensive list.