Celebrating 90 years

On Oct. 4, 1935, the Mill Valley Record reported that the Muir Woods Park Community Association (MWPCA) organization was formed at a meeting of residents in late September 1935, presided over by J.A. Gallagher and H.M. Steinburg.

The constitution stated that the boundaries of the association are from Mill Valley to Muir Woods and from Homestead to Mount Tamalpais State Park. The objectives of the association were to maintain law and order, foster neighborliness and develop and improve the community.

One objective already achieved was the oiling of the dusty roads to better service the school buses. In addition, Water District representatives promised better water pressure. Another project was the naming of every road and lane and acceptance of those names by the supervisors so the names could appear on maps.

Another early goal was to have the county pave Panoramic Highway, the main road leading to Stinson Beach and Muir Woods from Mill Valley.

In 1938, the MWPCA banded with many others from all over the county regarding the injustice of the road system. They asked for Panoramic Highway to be paved promptly.

The road was originally constructed as part of a county-wide bond issue that had since paved all the other roads financed by the bond issue. Yet, the Panoramic Highway was the only road not paved; it continued as a dirt and gravel road.

Paving this road was not a large or expensive project. Mill Valley leaders asked for $2,000, which would include paving 6.6 miles of road.

In the early 1950s, the group had grown to 185 dues-paying members. The association’s dream of having a clubhouse came true. They raised funds from donations and the annual fiesta event.

In August 1951, they acquired property on Ridge Avenue, which boasted a 360-degree view of Muir Woods, the Pacific Ocean, Mount Tamalpais, the East Bay and San Francisco.

The design would include two semicircular wings extending from a central kitchen. San Francisco architecture company Anshen and Allen was asked to design the clubhouse to blend in with the surroundings. One wing would accommodate 70 people and the larger wing’s capacity was 150 people.

“Largest crowd yet sees mountain fete,” said a Marin IJ headline on Sept. 17, 1951. More than 1,500 residents of Marin and San Francisco attended the annual fiesta, making it the “biggest and best.”

Guests enjoyed chicken and ham dinners, played games, won prizes and watched a show put on by the club members. Varied entertainment included a strongman act, tango, rumba and cancan dancing, an Arabian gelding act and carnival games.

Drawings of the clubhouse plans were on display for all to see.

Today, the association has 250 dues-paying members and is stronger than ever. President Nancy Gribler describes this organization as “a community of people who care deeply about our neighbors, rural life safety, protecting the beauty that surrounds us and gathering at our beautiful clubhouse to enjoy our 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area.”

In honor of their 90th anniversary, the Muir Woods Park Community Association will celebrate with a summer jamboree from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 at their clubhouse at 40 Ridge Ave. in Mill Valley.

Guests will enjoy barbecue, bluegrass bands Lickety Split and Easy Winners, historic images and original paintings of Mill Valley by California impressionist Tilden Daken, the late grandfather of Marin resident Bonnie Portnoy, who continues his work with the Tilden Daken Legacy Project, on display. In addition, the fun includes kite flying, a pie-making contest, nostalgic cars and more.

A $10 donation is requested. For more information, email Nancy Gribler at MWPCA@MountTam.org.

History Watch is written by Lane Dooling, marketing and social media coordinator at the Marin History Museum, marinhistory.org. Images included in History Watch are available for purchase by calling 415-382-1182 or by email at info@marinhistory.org