Join us for a journey through the history of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Antioch has been rescheduled for this Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at 9:30 AM. (See related article)
Discover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define the Mid-Century Modern era in Antioch.
Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the architectural styles, design principles, and cultural influences that shaped this period.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Mid-Century Modern commercial buildings and public spaces.
Marvel at the clean lines, innovative materials, and functional designs that epitomize this architectural movement.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the unique character of Mid-Century Modern design, this event is perfect for you.
Discover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define the Mid-Century Modern era in Antioch.
Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the architectural styles, design principles, and cultural influences that shaped this period.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Mid-Century Modern commercial buildings and public spaces.
Marvel at the clean lines, innovative materials, and functional designs that epitomize this architectural movement.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the unique character of Mid-Century Modern design, this event is perfect for you.
The restored Red Caboose on the grounds of the Antioch Historical Museum. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
After the donation and relocation of the Red Caboose from the former restaurant of the same name, by the family of the late owners, Jim and Phyllis Boccio, to the Antioch Historical Museum, earlier this year, work continues on the old rail car to prepare it for public use.
Steve Corpuz adds a few touch ups of paint on The Red Caboose on Sept. 7, 2023.
Painting was done last month by Steve Corpuz of Redwood Painting Company in Pittsburg
“The next steps will be an ADA lift coming from Canada, plus the porch and fencing around it, TV’s inside showing railroad history and videos of the relocation from Fulton Shipyard Road,” said project coordinator Tom Menasco.
Once the work is completed, it will be available for “tours for school kids, and possible rentals including children’s birthday parties, business meetings and special occasions,” he added.
The Red Caboose is getting prepared for public use.
To date, contractors have donated and provided discounted services to the tune of over $200,000,” Menasco shared. “We’ve raised about $87,000, so far. It will be a $300-$350,000 project by the time it’s done.”
The dedication is expected sometime in early November. To donate to the effort visit www.antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/donations/. The museum is located at 1500 W. Fourth Street and is open for visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (925) 757-1326.
Student and adult humanitarians to be recognized at 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony in January
Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year to be recognized during the 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony.
The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is Monday, Oct. 23.
The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16. In the spirit of Dr. King’s work, this year’s theme is “Beloved Community.”
The Board of Supervisors plans to recognize two individuals, (1) a community member and (2) a student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event.
Nominate a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity.
San Joaquins trains will bring visitors to celebrate site unique to California’s African American history
By David Lipari, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is holding a celebratory “re-dedication” event on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In partnership, Amtrak San Joaquins has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at a 50 percent discount rate to bring travelers to the historically significant park.
The town of Allensworth was established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and at one point was home to more than 300 families. The park is a California state treasure because it was the first town in California to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park became a historical landmark in 1974.
The re-dedication is one of four major annual events hosted by Friends of Allensworth (FOA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to support, promote, and advance the educational and interpretive activities at colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. According to FOA, the re-dedication is “presented to renew the commitment of the citizens of California to help the Department of Parks and Recreation preserve the history of the ethnically diverse contributions made in the development of the state of California and our nation.”
The festival will feature historical re-enactments, storytelling, square dancing, food vendors, crafts, and more.
“We are thrilled to partner once again with Amtrak San Joaquins to reconnect Californians with the historic town of Allensworth,” stated FOA President, Sasha Biscoe. “As a cornerstone of California’s rich history, Allensworth deserves to be experienced by all. Amtrak San Joaquins continues to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and enjoyable journey to this significant location. Mark your calendars for October 14th to partake in a day of historical immersion, as we recommit to preserving this invaluable site, all while traveling in the comfort and style that only Amtrak San Joaquins can offer.”
The southbound trains that will be running for the event include trains 702, 710, 712, and 714. When purchasing train tickets, a 50 percent discount will automatically be applied to the ticket purchase. Riders can save an additional 50 percent on up to five companion tickets by using the Friends and Family Discount code (V302). Additional discount programs regularly available to riders includes:
Infants under 2 years of age ride for free
Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off
Veterans & active military members receive 15% off
Disabled riders save 10% off
Visitors attending the re-dedication will be able to take Amtrak San Joaquins trains to the Allensworth station. From there, riders will be met by a free shuttle for the short ride to the main property. The Allensworth station is normally a whistle stop on the San Joaquins available to be booked by groups desiring to visit the park.
Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at amtraksanjoaquins.com. For more information on how to book a group trip to Allensworth, please contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), at Carmen@sjjpa.com.
About Allensworth State Historic Park
The town of Allensworth is located in the heart of the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, and has a rich history that is of interest to students, families, history buffs, minority community organizations, and anyone else looking to spend a fun day exploring the historic community and its restored buildings. In 1908, Allensworth was established as a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. There were a series of challenges impeding the town’s long-term survival, but it is celebrated as a key historic icon, and in 1974 California State Parks purchased the land in order to maintain it as a site for visitors to learn and explore the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library.
About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.
Join us on Saturday, August 5th, as we welcome Antioch’s newest park into our community. Named after the Bay Miwok indigenous tribes Julpun Park is located at 5500 Sierra Trail Way. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11:00 am.
Map showing area inhabited by Julpun Tribe of Bay Miwoks. Source: Museum of the San Ramon Valley
According to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, “Identified in Father Narciso Duran’s topographical map in 1824, the Julpun lived in the northeastern corner of the East Bay, probably including present-day Oakley, Brentwood and some of Antioch. Thus, their land included the confluence of the San Joaquin River and lower Marsh Creek. Initially many of them moved eastward and northward into the delta rather than submit to the mission system. A few went to Mission Dolores in 1806 and Mission San Jose from 1806-1808, with 108 more entering Mission San Jose by 1813. (Author Randall) Milliken (in his book entitled, Time of Little Choice) lists a total of 141 Julpuns baptized by 1819.
John Marsh bought his Rancho Los Meganos from Jose Noriega in 1837, an area which included the Julpun’s territory; he called the Indians there ‘Pulpunes’. Julpuns may have returned to their homeland to work for Marsh after Mission San Jose was secularized in 1836.”
During the Antioch Juneteenth Celebration event a few years ago, I shared the fact with a few people, mainly youth, in attendance, that Juneteenth and the ending of slavery in the U.S. was the result of the efforts of the Republican Party, and some of them were shocked and even argued with me. I was surprised they hadn’t learned that in their history classes in school. So, here’s a little history about the day and celebration.
Deriving its name by combining June and nineteenth – Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. But while it became a national holiday in 2021 through a bill by a Democrat U.S. Senator and signed into law by Democrat President Joe Biden as the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, the day it celebrates occurred thanks to the Republican Party. Known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, the party was formed in 1854 to fight the expansion of slavery into the Western territories and ultimately abolish it. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican to be elected president and under his leadership fought and won the Civil War to end slavery in the United States.
Back to Juneteenth, it was on June 19, 1865 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, a Republican career U.S. Army officer, arrived at Galveston, Texas announcing that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
It was two and a half years after President Lincoln signed his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 freeing all slaves in Confederate states. Granger issued General Order No. 3 further informing Texas – the most remote state of the former Confederacy – of, and enforcing the proclamation, just two months after Lincoln’s assassination.
When issued, the Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the arrival of Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
Later attempts to explain this two-and-a-half-year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or neither of these versions could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln’s authority over the rebellious states was in question For whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas since 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. Participants in the Great Migration brought these celebrations to the rest of the country.
Happy Juneteenth, a holiday of freedom that we can all recognize and celebrate, while honoring those who fought and died to make it a reality!
