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Like No Other Place: Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders

The Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders: California’s Iconic and Lost Pasts

Tuesdays from December 3 to December 17, 2023

This series looks at the quintessential California aspects of our most iconic lost and endangered historic places. Part 1 takes participants on a fast-paced tour of California's Wild West boomtowns, ghost towns, and famous movie sets, with expert insights into these frontier locations, both real and cinematic. Part 2 dives into the hidden histories of Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs, uncovering their transformation from luxurious resorts to forgotten relics, along with their legends and mysteries. Part 3 explores the architectural grandeur and cultural impact of San Francisco’s legendary department stores, revealing their influence on cityscapes and retail history.

All programs below are FREE and open to the public, including:

  1. Part 1: Boomtowns, Ghost Towns, and the Silver Screen: A Fast-Paced Tour of California's Frontier Sites | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM
  2. Part 2: Healing Waters, Hidden Histories: Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs Unveiled | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM
  3. Part 3: Architectural Splendor: How Department Stores Shaped American Cities | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

This program also highlights are annual silent auction!

Win Big! Bid on related food, drink, and fun experiences at our fifth annual Awesome Auction where dozens of items will be available for you to win (bidding ends on December 19th)
Feeling lucky? Donate, upgrade your membership, or join CPF to receive raffle tickets for our highlighted signature items.
Celebrate Tradition. Be part of the fun. Follow us on our social channels (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) to receive special virtual ‘gifts’ each day.

Part 1: Boomtowns, Ghost Towns, and the Silver Screen | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

Join us for a rapid-fire visual tour of California’s Wild West boomtowns, ghost towns, and iconic movie sets, led by expert historians and architects who know these sites inside and out. From the abandoned mining towns of Death Valley to the famous film locations of Paramount Ranch and Pioneertown, this fast-paced program uncovers the rugged landscapes and storied past of the state’s frontier history and aesthetic. Get a glimpse of the towns that rose and fell with the Gold Rush, and hear expert commentary on the film sets that brought the Wild West to life on screen. These iconic locations, both ‘real’ and ‘imagined’ are quintessential California.

Presented by...

  • Daniel Paul, Architectural Historian and Consultant for the Pioneertown National Register Nomination
  • David Hertz, FAIA, SEA Studio
  • Ben Loescher, AIA LEED AP, Loescher Meachem Architects
  • Linda Greene, Retired National Park Service Historian and co-author of "A History of Mining in Death Valley National Monument - California-Nevada"
Part 2: Healing Waters, Hidden Histories | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

In this fascinating program, explore the rich history of two of California’s most famous water spring resorts: Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs. Byron Hot Springs, once a lavish resort in the late 1800s and early 1900s, attracted wealthy visitors seeking the curative powers of its mineral waters. Over time, it evolved into a military interrogation site during World War II, adding layers of intrigue to its past. Paradise Springs, tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, was a retreat for celebrities and elites, known for its secluded beauty and rejuvenating waters.

Learn about the natural forces that created these springs-based escapes and the unique role they played in California's history. The program also delves into the legends and lore surrounding these sites, from tales of healing and mystery to their transition into forgotten relics of a bygone era. A must-see for history enthusiasts and those curious about California’s hidden past.

Presented by...

  • Carol Jensen, Historian and Author of "Byron Hot Springs." East Contra Costa Historical Society
  • Justin Chapman, Award-winning Journalist and Author of "The Hedonistic History Of Paradise Springs, Where Early Hollywood Went Wild."
Part 3: How Department Stores Shaped American Cities | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

Join us for a captivating journey into the golden age of San Francisco’s grand department stores, featuring historian and author Anne Evers Hitz. In this program, Hitz will share fascinating stories from her books, Lost Department Stores of San Francisco and Emporium Department Store, detailing how iconic stores like City of Paris, I. Magnin, and The White House once shaped the city’s identity and retail culture.

We will also dive into the architectural innovations and stylistic trends that made these grand stores the jewels of urban landscapes. Together, they’ll uncover the rise, transformation, and lasting legacy of these retail palaces that defined 20th-century America.

This program uncovers the rise and fall of these commercial giants, delving into their social and architectural significance while celebrating their lasting legacy. Perfect for anyone interested in architecture, retail history, or the cultural fabric of San Francisco.

Presented by...

  • Anne Evers Hitz, Freelance Writer, descendant of one of the Emporium's founders, and Author of "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco."
  • Other speakers to be announced. 
November 26nd to December 17th | Annual Awesome Holiday Auction - Benefits CPF Programs

Bid on items to support CPF while winning awesome, architecture- and California-inspired auction items. Special stays and trips, event tickets, books from our book club program, rare prints, and other unique items. Don't miss it! Bidding will open Tuesday, November 26th and ends on Tuesday, December 17th at 8 PM. Keep your eyes peeled for future additions and updates!

Private Tour for Four (4) to the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art and Wine Tasting at Scribe Winery
Ending in: 13 days 9 hours 48 minutes 9 seconds
No Bid
Reserve price has been met.

(Enter 375.00 or more)
Like No Other Place: Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders

When

Dec 03, 2024 - Dec 17, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Event Type

A feast for the senses can be yours by bidding on this incredible Napa and Sonoma experience.   Kate Eilertsen, Executive Director of the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art will lead a tour for four (4), followed by a wine tasting at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Scribe received a 2019 Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation.

About the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is a catalyst for transformative experiences with contemporary art of Northern California. The nonprofit art center presents dynamic exhibitions and educational programs for all ages and maintains a permanent collection of notable works by artists living or working in the San Francisco Bay Area from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. A wide range of styles, media, and subject matter provide an overview of the creative energy and freedom to experiment that characterize this region of California. Protected in perpetuity under the Napa County Land Trust, di Rosa features multiple galleries, a sculpture park, and a 35-acre lake, all located on 217 scenic acres in Napa Valley’s throughout the last four decades makes the di Rosa Preserve an unparalleled haven where art and nature share the landscape.

Video on the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art:  https://youtu.be/nV6kpqeDS00

About Scribe Winery

Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California, produces vibrant, terroir-driven wines. The winery – founded in 2007 on a property that pioneered pre-prohibition Sonoma Valley winemaking – is managed by fourth-generation California farmers and brothers, Andrew and Adam Mariani.

The vineyard they purchased is a storied pre-Prohibition site (that had reverted to a derelict turkey farm) nestled amongst some age-old California names like Buena Vista and Gundlach-Bundschu, on the Sonoma-side of Carneros.

Andrew and Adam immediately planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, understanding the natural affinity for those grapes to the area, but they embraced varieties historically connected to the original German-born, Champagne-producing vignerons that had planted St. Laurent, Riesling, and Sylvaner in the 1850’s.

Scribe manages to be new school without forsaking the old, and they don’t just farm their vineyards organically but embrace a philosophy they call “Forever Wild Farming” that considers how the vineyard and the winery (and its kitchen gardens) can coexist with, and within, the ecosystem as a whole.

About the Author

The California Preservation Foundation is a network of more than 15,000 members and supporters who are committed to protecting our shared architectural and cultural heritage. We are a leader in preservation education and advocacy, responding to hundreds of requests for assistance and training more than 1,500 people each year.