Sunol

Sunol

In 1839, Antonio Sunol acquired this beautiful valley, originally inhabited by Ohlone Indians, to raise his cattle. Thirty years passed, and the First Transcontinental Railroad was poised to make history, completing the last segment of rail from Sacramento to Oakland. The final link was laidstraight through the middle of Sunoland a small village was suddenly transformed. The valley prospered with new wealth; hotels and railroad depots were built along with hay warehouses, a grocery and a mercantile, a blacksmith shop, post office, five schools, and a church. San Francisco families built summer homes in the new resort destination. The Spring Valley Water Company purchased property in the valley, where some of their largest water mains to San Francisco would flow, and even commissioned famed architect Willis Polk to design his Italian-style masterpiece, The Water Temple. Early prosperity eventually gave way to the grim realities of the Depression and the war years, however, and families began occupying the summer cabins lining Kilkare Road year-round. But as the towns permanent population grew, a new and unique community emerged.

Sunol

Sunol-Never Too Small to Succed, shows there is hope for the under-dog. It is an inspiring story that provides hope for the individual and small organizations. It describes how dedication, commitment, and the will and desire to succeed, can help us achieve our goal. Sunol, as other small school districts, was destined to lose its local autonomy. The Governor and the California state legislature, along with leading college professors advocated elections within high school districts. The larger communities through the election process were able to out-vote the smaller communities and take them over. Although Sunol only had six percent of the voters, they were able to go to the larger communities and get those voters to vote for them. Eventually, the California legislature passed laws supporting the smaller districts and the Governor signed those bills into law. How was this done?

The Vineyards in Alameda County