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Published on 05/18/1998 All articles from this issue

Prize-winning essays offer insights into the early days of Los Altos

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The following essays are the first-place winners of the 14th annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest, sponsored by Los Altos Historical Commission. The winning selections were chosen from among 528 entries in Los Altos elementary schools, grades three through six. The theme for this year's contest, "Railroads In Los Altos," required students to write a letter describing a trip on a train through early Los Altos.

Dear Aunt Ann:

Mom and I took a wonderful trip to Los Altos to visit our friends the Smiths. We left San Francisco on the 5 p.m. Southern Pacific train, traveling with people who were commuting home. The women, wearing their hats and white gloves, passed the time playing Old Maid, the only game allowed on the train. The men sat reading the newspaper. I enjoyed looking out the window at the towns we were passing and watching all the people. When we came to Mayfield, the scenery changed. I began to see only orchards from the train. The conducter told me the orchards were apricot, almond, and cherry and that the train's cargo was coal and cement.

When we arrived in Los Altos, the Smiths were waiting for us at the attractive depot. We walked down Main Street toward San Antonio Road where they lived. Their house was in the middle of an apricot orchard. They told me I was missing the fun of "cot cutting," which would happen in just a few weeks.

Los Altos is a small village compared to San Francisco, but the Smith children and I found a lot of things to do. On our way home, they showed me the Los Altos Grammar School, which was right next to their house. While exploring the playground, Bert chased me with a gopher snake. I climbed the bars to get away. The next morning we played in the orchard with their pet horned lizard.

All too soon, it was time to get back on the train. On our way to the depot, we stopped at the library on First Street. It is in an adobe building that was once the generator house for the electric train that ran through Los Altos. We said our goodbyes at the depot and were on our way home. I hope to visit Los Altos again soon.

Elizabeth McCormick

Loyola School, third grade

I can't believe that I'm riding on a train that my father helped to build! Mama, it's as fast as an Imperial Dragon, yet as sleek and graceful as a deer.

I still can't believe that I'm in California. The sky is a radiant blue. The flowers are pink and purple. Sometimes I wish could touch them. The hills go up and down like the waves but never stop.

The man sitting next to me works in the orchards of Los Altos. He raises apricots. He let me try an apricot and they are like eating a ray of sunlight. When he saw me smile in delight, he said, "In Los Altos there are so many types of fruits that your smile will last forever when you taste them." There are no fruits in China that make me smile like that.

The one strange thing about that man is that his eyes are slanted like mine, but his skin is dark. He says he is from Mexico. I am glad that there are immigrants like me.

I'm sorry that you couldn't come to America when they found those lice in your hair. I know when you cried it was tears of happiness because I did get to go to America. I really miss you.

When I close my eyes, I feel that I can do anything, and that my freedom will last forever. The closer I get to Los Altos the more freedom I feel. Even though Los Altos is very small, I'm sure there are possibilities for me. I remember Pa writing to me about Los Altos and the many different people there. I can't wait to meet Mr. Shoup who owns the Peninsula Railway. He says, "This is the loveliest place on the Peninsula. The Southern Pacific (another train) the takes Papa to San Francisoo on Sunday to go to worship Buddha.

I am glad that I have my freedom now when I enter Los Altos. After going to San Antonio Grammar School, I will use my lessons to make you proud! I love you Mama! - Shen

Michelle Buchholz

Oak School, fourth grade

It's summer and that means garage sale time to my family. While cleaning out our attic, I came across this old, interesting letter:

(Dated April 19, 1908)

Dear Luke:

What an adventure I had last week. I saw this ad in the San Francisco paper ("You Should Buy A Lot in Los Altos"). I decided this might be the perfect place for me to get away from the stress of the city.

My friend, Paul Shoup, is vice president of the Southern Pacific Railroad and also an investor in 100 acres of land which is owned by the Altos Land Company. Paul is excited about this investment. I decided to take a look for myself.

On April 12, 1908, I boarded the steam train from San Francisco to Stanford University. What a day! There were 16 coaches filled with people interested in buying land. The one-hour train trip cost me five cents!

The train was not a fancy train and it was very crowded. The windows were all open air and the seats were uncomfortable. After the train left the city, we saw beautiful countryside. We saw green rolling hills and extraordinary fields of marigolds, California poppies and mustard. There were many towering trees with colorful birds living in them. Cows that belonged to farmers were grazing in meadows filled with an abundance of grass. What a peaceful sight.

Several times along the way we passed a small town and the conductor would slow the train down and blow the whistle. People along the tracks would wave. When we arrived at our destination we were treated to a huge barbecue filled with scrumptious food including steak, beans, corn, potatoes and homemade biscuits and gravy.

I ended up buying a piece of property. The lot has many apricot trees and also a small creek. I will build a cottage and hope to spend my weekends and summers there. My summer address will be 472 University Ave., Gopherville. Sincerely, Tim

I can't believe this letter is 90 years old. Many things have changed. Gopherville is now called Los Altos and is a lovely city. The trains have been gone since the early 1960s. The place where the train tracks ran is now Foothill Expressway. The old train depot is gone, along with most of the apricot orchards. The lot that Jim paid $400 for is now worth $700,000. Some of the land near Jim's lot is now Shoup Park. Finding this letter has given me a look into the past.

Kevin Stanek

Loyola School, fifth grade

My dearest friend,

As you know, I took the advice of one of my dear, late Charles' friends and went to a barbecue in Los Altos organized by a Mr. Shoup. He had described Los Altos as "the loveliest place on the Peninsula." Oh, it was very beautiful; I grant you that. But the journey and the conditions were appalling! The seats were first class of course, a lady of my standing can expect no less.

I was shown to my seat, which was very uncomfortable. The carriage too, it rattled up and down very badly. There were a lot of people that day. Mr. Shoup's advertisement must have worked very well. You'll never believe, but that insufferable Lillian Jones was there too! I swear that she did not draw breath the whole trip. All through the journey it was my daughter this, my daughter that, did you know that Jane eloped with Vernon? I don't know how I bore her!

What a shabby affair their station was! Nothing like the vastness and beauty of a San Francisco station. It was nothing more than two carriages next to an enormous oak. If they expect people to live here, then they should at least provide an adequate station and a means of transportation! Don't worry my dear Eliza, my San Francisco home is quite good enough for me. I am not moving.

I stepped down from the train and proceeded to a large field. Many people were already there. At least the Charlsons were there. They were the only good society I met that day. Mr. Shoup was the only gentleman I met that day. And their Main Street! Main street, what a laugh! It was nothing more than a few buildings on a dirt road! I was just coming out of the Shoup building, when several enormous dirty rats ran across my path! My nerves were quite shaken! They could at least provide a few cats!

That was enough for me. With my nerves shattered, I sat down to wait for the next train back to San Francisco. Thank God Lillian Jones was not there on the journey back! I cannot believe some people actually want to live there. Of course my brother thinks that Los Altos is charming. He says it will be very beneficial to my health and urges me to buy property there. Country living is not for me. I enjoy the social life. How are your dear husband and children? Call on me when you can.

Adieu my friend,

F. Whitley

Tao Tao Zhang

Santa Rita School, sixth grade