Mill Valley Historical Society’s historical signs at 130 and 142 Throckmorton Avenue.
From the Mill Valley Historical Society and its annual review to the Mill Valley Public Library’s Lucretia Little History Room, the 94941 has long been steeped in its past, from inception to today and everything in between.
The Historical Society has sought in recent years to raise the bar even higher with a series of signs that point out historical gems to visitors, recent arrivals and those that need a reminder of what came before us.
On Monday, the Mill Valley City Council gave the green light to MVHS’ proposal to install historical signs at significant sites around town, connecting the dots between historic icons like the Hub Theater and its descendant Throckmorton Theatre (see image above right), as well as spotlighting the headquarters of the foundational Tamalpais Land and Water Co., formerly located at what is now Citibank downtown (see image, above left).
MVHS proposed seven signs, including its first sign at Boyle Park celebrating it as the longtime home of the Mill Valley Little League and Mill Valley’s first recreational desination. The organization also put forth additional signs on City-owned property hightlghting the Mill Valley Market on Corte Madera Avenue; the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce in the Depot building and the Golden Gate Transit bus stop at the southern edge of the plaza at Sunnyside Ave.; the commercial area at the corner of Miller and Montford avenues that includes Joe’s Taco Lounge, the 2am Club and Happy Feet Dance School; the trailhead at Cascade and Molino avenues that leads to the Dipsea Stairs; and the former Miwok village site near Hamilton Drive below Shelter Hill.
The signs cost about $1,500 each for materials, and the Mill Valley Chamber donated $4,500 via its Enjoy Mill Valley Fund. The Chamber established the Enjoy Mill Valley Fund in July 2016 with the cooperation of the Marin Community Foundation to work with local and county agencies and organizations to identify deserving, “shovel ready” local beautification and infrastructure projects that just need a little funding boost to get to the finish line. All donations to the Enjoy Mill Valley Fund are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
The historical society would cover the costs of the signs, while the city would pay for staff time and labor for planning and installation. MVHS has said they plan to create an interactive map over time so that visitors and residents take self-guided tours of the signs.
Would have been nice if lovely historic locations had been preserved beginning in the 1990s and beyond when they could have been saved. This is like closing the barn door after the horses escaped.