December 18
Margaret and Patrick Breen
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary, “Beautiful day; sky clear; it would be delightful were it not for the snow lying so deep. Thaws but little on the south side of shanty. Saw no strangers today from any of the shantys.”
Libraries in 1884
Frank Kimball used his personal book collection to open National Free Library and Reading Rooms in his real estate office. Ah Lem, a Chinese workman, assisted.
National City railway terminal, 1888.
North Fork.
Post Offices in 1888
A U.S. post office opened in North Fork in Madera County. The town was first named Brown’s after Milton Brown, a white settler. The North Fork name is from the North Fork Lumber Company, which opened in 1888.
Crime in 1997
Arturo Reyes Torres, a fired California highway employee, shot and killed four people at the Caltrans maintenance yard in Orange before he was killed by police.
Protests in 1999
Julia “Butterfly” Hill climbed down from an ancient redwood in Humboldt County after living there for two years. She protested logging of old growth redwood forests.
Business in 2002
Governor Gray Davis announced a $34.8 billion cash shortage over the next 18 months. A legislative analyst later assessed the deficit at $21 billion.
Business in 2003
Sierra Railroad, which began in 1897, bought the 40-mile Mendocino County Skunk Train, which began in 1885, for $1.4 million.
Business in 2007
Half Moon Bay hired lawyers to fight a federal court ordering the city to pay a developer $36.8 million in a property dispute. The city’s annual budget was $10 million.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Energy in 2007
PG&E announced it would support the first commercial wave power plant off the Humboldt County coast. Eight power generating buoys were projected to begin working in 2012.
Business in 2009
U.S. bank regulators shut down seven banks including two in California. This brought to 140 the number of U.S. banks closed down due to the weak economy and loan defaults.
Office Depot.
Business in 2009
Ben Rosenfield, San Francisco Controller, released an audit that said Office Deport overcharged the city for some $5.75 million worth of office supplies over 4½ years.
Hellman in 2011
Warren Hellman, who privately sponsored the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, died in San Francisco at age 77. He provided the free music event with funds to continue.
December 19
Juan Bautista de Anza
Exploration in 1788
Juan Bautista de Anza, Spanish explorer of Alta California, died in Arizpe, Mexico. He lead the first colonists north from Mexico to Monterey and found an inland route to San Francisco Bay.
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, travelling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary, “Snowed last night; commenced about 11 o’clock. Squalls of wind with snow at intervals. This morning, thawing. Wind N. by W. A little singular for a thaw. May continue. It continues to snow. Sun shining. Cleared off towards evening.”
Newspapers in 1852
The Golden Era newspaper debuted in San Francisco. It featured articles by Mark Twain and Bret Harte, who became two of the most popular authors of the time.
The Golden Era masthead
Railroads in 1859
Grading began for San Francisco’s first railroad. Market Street Railway ran three miles from Market Street to Mission Dolores.
Market Street Railway 1860
Post Offices in 1920
A U.S. post office opened at Palomar Mountain, north of San Diego. Today it is famous for Palomar Observatory with a 200-inch telescope and as home to Palomar Mountain State Park.
Floods in 1964
Heavy rain from December 18, 1964 to January 7, 1965 flooded nearly every river in coastal Northern California. It was called the Christmas Flood.
Education in 1996
The Oakland School Board voted to recognize Black English, known as “ebonics.” The board later reversed its position.
December 20
Ranchos in 1844
Rancho Rio de los Molinos, a 22,172-acre Mexican land grant in present day Tehama County was deeded. It extended along the east side of the Sacramento River from Dye Creek to Toomes Creek, including present day Los Molinos.
Rancho diseno
Margaret and Patrick Breen
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary, “Night clear. Froze a little. Now clear & pleasant. Wind N.W. Thawing a little. Mrs Reid here. No account of Milt. Yet Dutch Charley started for Donners; turned back, not able to proceed. Tough times, but not discouraged. Our hopes are in God. Amen.”
Government in 1849
Peter Burnett became the first state governor of California. He proposed that blacks, slave or free, be banned from the state and thought it necessity to exterminate the state’s native people.
Government in 1934
A state liquor control law went into effect, making it legal to sell hard liquor by the drink in California hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Floods in 1955
The central Sierra and South San Francisco Bay Area rivers areas flooded. The storm resulted in 74 deaths and $200 million in damages. On Christmas Eve, a levee on the Feather River collapsed, flooding Yuba City and farmlands in the basin.
Yuba City 1955
Crime in 1968
The Zodiac Killer killed Betty Lou Jenson and David Faraday in Vallejo. The Northern California serial killer was never caught.
Darin in 1973
Bobby Darin, pop, rock, jazz, folk and country singer, died in Los Angeles at age 37. He is remembered for “Dream Lover” among other popular songs.
Intel logo (1968-2005).
Business in 1994
Intel, in Santa Clara, announced it would replace all flawed Pentium computer chips.
Weather in 1998
Snow fell in San Francisco and low temperature records were made around the Bay.
Snow in San Francisco (1887)
Calpine Corp.
Business in 2005
Calpine Corp., a power company in San Jose, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It was some $22 billion in debt.
Business in 2005
Seagate Corp., a computer disk drive maker in Cupertino, agreed to pay $1.9 billion for rival Maxtor Corp.
Seagate Corp.
Business in 2007
U.S. regulators cleared the proposal by Google, in Mountain View, to acquire online advertising DoubleClick, sparking privacy concerns and challenges in the European Union.
Google.
Netsuite Inc.
Business in 2007
NetSuite Inc., a software maker headquartered in San Mateo, rose 37% in its first day of trading after raising $161.2 million in an IPO a day earlier.
Police in 2008
San Francisco Police Chief Heather Wong announced her retirement. She became the city’s first female police chief nearly 5 years before.
Murphy in 2009
Brittany Murphy, actress, singer and voice artist, died in Los Angeles at age 22. She is remembered for roles in “Riding in Cars with Boys” (2001), “8 Mile” (2002) and “Happy Feet” (2006).
Business in 2012
Apple Inc., in Cupertino, was denied a patent for mobile pinch-to-zoom gestures by U.S. patent authorities.
December 21
Santa Barbara Mission by Lloyd Harting (1901 – 1974)
Missions in 1812
Santa Barbara Mission and Mission La Purisima were severely damaged by an earthquake. It was estimated at around 7.0 on the Richter Scale, possibly triggered by the recent Wrightwood earthquake.
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Milt. got back last night from Donners’ camp [with] sad news. Jake Donno [Jacob Donner], Sam Shoemaker, Rinehart, & Smith are dead; the rest of them in a low situation. Snowed all night with a strong S.W. wind. To day Cloudy. Wind continues but not snowing. Thawing sun shining dimly. In hopes it will clear off.”
Education in 1909
The first junior high school in California opened in Berkeley; Willard Middle School.
Movies in 1914
“Tillie’s Punctured Romance” debuted, Keystone Film Company’s first feature-length film and only the Keystone Cops comedy featuring Charlie Chaplin.
Movies in 1932
“Flying Down to Rio,” the first film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, was released. They became legendary dance partners in a series of ten films.
Shirley Temple in a scene from the movie “Stand Up and Cheer” (1934). Photo courtesy of Fox Film Corporation.
Movies in 1933
Fox Films extended its contract with 5-year-old Shirley Temple, one of the great child stars. She was paid $150/week and Gertrude, her mother, was hired at $25/week as her hairdresser and personal coach.
Movies in 1937
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full-length animated film, premiered. It was the first in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.
Movies in 1946
Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered. The Christmas fantasy comedy drama, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed became a holiday classic.
Sports in 1995
San Francisco Giants announced plans to build a new stadium to open in 2000. The opening game on April 11, 2000 was against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Walt Disney Company.
Business in 2012
The Walt Disney Company, in Burbank, completed acquisition of Lucasfilm, in San Francisco, and the Star Wars franchise for $4.05 billion.
December 22
Ranchos in 1844
Rancho Johnson, a 22,197-acre Mexican land grant in Yuba County, was deeded. It stretched along the Bear River, and encompassed modern Wheatland.
Rancho diseno
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Snowed all last night. Continued to snow all day with some few intermissions. Had a severe fit of the gravel yesterday. I am well to day, Praise be to the God of Heaven.
Sutter’s Fort drawn by George Victor Cooper in 1849
Agriculture in 1847
John Sutter received 2,000 fruit trees, which began Sacramento Valley’s agriculture industry. What type of trees and where they came from is not known.
Libraries in 1852
The Mercantile Library Association was founded in San Francisco to “stimulate a generous rivalry in mental culture, by rendering it the fashion to read and converse on literary topics.” It merged with the Mechanics Institute in 1854 to serve job-seeking unemployed gold miners. Today it is a popular venue for chess players.
Mercantile Library
Walnut.
Lemon in 1908
Lemon, built on what was Rancho Los Nogales in Los Angeles County, changed its name to Walnut. Walnut is known as one of America’s best small towns.
West in 1940
Nathanael West, novelist and screenwriter, along with his wife, died in a car accident in El Centro. He was age 37. They were returning to Los Angeles from a hunting trip in Mexico when he ran a red light. Miss Lonelyhearts (1933) is widely regarded as his masterpiece.
Nathaniel West.
KPIX-TV.
Television in 1948
KPIX-TV channel 5 in San Francisco began broadcasting. It was the first television station in northern California, the 49th in the U.S.
Sports in 1963
Tom Flores, Oakland Raiders quarterback, passed for 6 touchdowns to defeat the Houston Oilers, 52-49. It was the 4th highest scoring game in NFL history.
Flight in 1964
The first test flight of the SR-71 “Blackbird” took place at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. It was a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance U.S. Air Force aircraft.
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
Music in 1965
The Byrds recorded “Eight Miles High” in Hollywood. It was one the first full-blown psychedelic rock recording and was banned from the radio shortly after release.
Los Angeles Skid Row.
Weingart in 1980
Ben Weingart, multimillionaire philanthropist, died in Los Angeles at age 93. He co-developed Lakewood, near Long Beach. He and his wife, established the Weingart Center for the Homeless.
Earthquakes in 2003
An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter Scale hit near San Simeon. Two people were killed in Paso Robles. Property damages were estimated at some $100 million.
Paso Robles, San Simeon earthquake damage (2003).
Crime in 2006
Bryan Tuvera, San Francisco police officer, was shot in a gun battle in the Sunset District, killing Marlon Ruff, an escaped convict. Tuvera also died later that day.
Great Seal of California.
Business in 2008
California’s chief financial officer warned that the state would run out of money in about two months as hopes of a Christmas budget compromise melted into political finger-pointing by the end of the day.
Business in 2008
Foley Wine Group of Los Olivos bought the historic Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma for an undisclosed price.
Crime in 2010
Three men were shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in South San Francisco. Nineteen people were indicted in 2012 for the killings. Three federal agents were wounded during the arrest.
December 23
Pio Pico
Ranchos in 1845
Rancho Jamul was deeded to Pio Pico, the last governor of Alta California. Born at Mission San Gabriel, Pico was Spanish, African and Native American. He became one of the richest men in the state but lost his fortune. He is honored at Pio Pico State Historic Park.
Benicia in 1846
Mariano Vallejo sold the land to build the town of Benicia, named in honor of his wife. Located on the Carquinez Straight, it was intended to rival San Francisco. Benicia was the state capital in 1853 – 1854.
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Snowed a little last night. Clear to day & thawing a little. Milt took some of his meat to day; all well at their camp. Began this day to read the Thirty days prayer. May Almighty God grant the request of an unworthy sinner that I am. Amen.”
Movies in 1912
“Hoffmeyer’s Legacy,” the first Keystone Cops film, was released.
San Bruno in 1914
San Bruno was incorporated following a campaign by the local newspaper, the San Bruno Herald, mainly so the streets could be paved.
War in 1941
The Union Oil tanker Montebello was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sank off the coast near Cambria. The crew of 38 survived.
Union Oil tanker torpedoed (1941).
Webb in 1982
Jack Webb, actor, producer and director, died in Los Angeles at age 62. He was best known for his role, Joe Friday, in the radio and television series “Dragnet,” perhaps the most famous and influential police procedural drama in history.
Flight in 1986
Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager landed the Rutan Model 76 Voyager at Edwards Air Force Base, making it the first aircraft to fly non-stop around the world without refueling.
Business in 1998
Two days of freezing temperatures caused an estimated $700 million in agricultural damage. Citrus crops in the central San Joaquin Valley were especially hit hard.
December 24
Santa Clara mission cemetery.
Missions in 1775
The first non-native child, christened Salvador Linares, was born in California on the trail near Borrego Springs. He is buried at the Santa Clara mission cemetery.
Literature in 1849
The first English-language book was printed in California. California As It Is And As It May be, Or A Guide To The Gold Region by Felix Wierzbicki included a survey of agriculture, hints on gold mining, a guide to San Francisco, a chapter on Hispanic residents and Native American tribes.
Fires in 1849
A fire that started at a San Francisco gambling parlor burned most of the city because there was no fire department. It was one of seven major fires in two years.
San Francisco fires (1849 – 1851)
Music in 1910
Luisa Tetrazzini, legendary Italian coloratura soprano, sang to a vast crowd at Lotta’s Fountain in San Francisco, honoring the city’s rebirth after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.
Luisa Tetrazzini singing at Lotta’s Fountain in San Francisco (1910).
Muir in 1914
John Muir, Scottish-born American naturalist and Sierra Club founder, died in Los Angeles at age 76. He fought to preserve Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas.
Theodore Roosevelt with John Muir at Yosemite (1906). Courtesy Library of Congress.
Foods rich in beta carotene.
Science in 1929
James H.C. Smith, Stanford scientist, reported successfully isolating sufficient amounts of carotene to determine its chemical structure. Carotene is responsible for the orange colour of carrots and the colours of other fruits, vegetables and some animals.
Science in 1936
A radioactive isotope was used for the first time to treat a human disease. It was administered at the Donner Laboratory in Berkeley.
Journalism in 1953
Pierre Salinger, San Francisco Chronicle reporter and later press secretary to President John Kennedy, won the 1953 McQuade Memorial Award for his articles on poor conditions in California county jails. He had himself arrested under an alias in Bakersfield and Stockton for an inside look.
Pierre Salinger, press secretary to John Kennedy.
Movies in 1970
Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” premiered. It was the 20th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.
Accidents in 1985
A twin engine plane crashed into Sunvalley Shopping Mall in Concord, killing six people.
Sunvalley Shopping Mall crash (1985).
Business in 1997
The U.S. Air Force agreed to sell McClellan Air Force Base to Sacramento County for a some $90 million, payments to begin in 2008 and continue for 45 years.
Murder of a Mafia Daughter by Cathy Scott (2002).
Crime in 2000
Susan Berman, writer and daughter of Davie Berman, a Las Vegas mobster, was murdered execution style in her Los Angeles home. She wrote Easy Street: The True Story of a Mob Family (1981).
Crime in 2002
Laci Peterson, 8-months pregnant, disappeared from her Modesto home. Amber Frey later admitted to an affair with Laci’s husband, Scott. Laci’s body was found near where he went fishing on December 24.
Crime in 2008
A man who was having marital problems, dressed as Santa Claus and opened fire at a Christmas party in Covia, leaving 9 people dead. Hours later police found Bruce Pardo, dead, at his brother’s home in Los Angeles.
Natural gas explosion in Sacramento (2008).
Accidents in 2008
Wilbert Paana died following a natural gas explosion at his home in Sacramento. His daughter and granddaughter were critically injured. PG&E later agreed to pay $26 million for federal and state safety violations related to the explosion.
Klugman in 2012
Jack Klugman, stage, film and television actor, died in Los Angeles at the age of 90. He starred in “The Odd Couple” TV series (1970-1975) and in “Quincy, M.E.” (1976-1983).
December 25
Margaret and Patrick Breen
Overland Journeys in 1846
Patrick Breen, traveling with the Donner Party, wrote in his diary: “Began to snow yesterday about 12 o’clock. Snowed all night & snows yet rapidly. Wind about E. by N. Great difficulty in getting wood. John & Edwd. has to get: I am not able. Offered our prayers to God this Cherimass morning. The prospect is appalling; but hope in God. Amen.”
Ripley in 1893
Robert Ripley was born in Santa Rosa. He created “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” newspaper panel series, radio show and television show featuring unbelievable facts from around the world.
Sports in 1894
University of Chicago, the first midwestern football team to play on the west coast defeated Stanford at Palo Alto, 24-4.
Fields in 1946
W.C. Fields, comic film actor, died in Pasadena at age 66 or 67. His acting career spanned from vaudeville shows to the silent movie era then becoming a talkies movie star.
Movies in 1963
Walt Disney’s “The Sword in the Stone” premiered. It was the 18th film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.
Rembrandt, Portrait of a Rabbi (1657).
Crime in 1978
Four Renaissance paintings were stolen from the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Three works, including Rembrandt’s “Portrait of a Rabbi,” were recovered in New York City in 1999. One is still missing.
Martin in 1995
Dean Martin, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, died in Beverly Hills at age 78.
Richard Bliss.
Spies in 1997
Richard Bliss, accused of being a U.S. spy in Russia, arrived in San Diego after Russian authorities let him return home. He worked as a field technician for Qualcomm Inc.
Accidents in 2003
Sixteen people were killed at a youth camp near San Bernardino after mudslides, triggered by heavy rain, swept down the San Gabriel Mountains that had been recently burned by wildfire.