Billys 4th Grade

Ramblings

BEGINNINGS   

EARLY CALIFORNIA

Introduction

This book is a product of the fourth Grade Class of Marshall School in Castro Valley, California. It is a compilation of reports written by many members of the class, of records and films and an excursion that we had enjoyed in connection with our social studies unit. The children also contributed all maps and some of the pamphlets included. We intend it only as a record of the work  we have entered into in this year of our schooling.

The educational purpose in this, of course, is to lead the children in an interested growth in many skills. Included in these are the skills of reading for general information, seeking definite information, spelling, listening, penmanship, written expression and note taking; as well as gaining in knowledge of California. Especially they have gained in learning to work together, on committees and as a class.

Our particular thanks go out to Mrs. Bill Ralph, Mrs. Al Schwegel, and Mrs . Ben Finley and Mr. Bill Ralph, photographer for their interest and unselfish assistance and in the making of this book possible.

David Erskine

June 14, 1951

A lifelong interest in local history and a forty nine year career in book making can be traced back to 1951 and  my fourth grade teacher Mr. Erskine who introduced forty five eager nine year old’s to Native American Life, El Camino Real and the string of thirteen California Missions, Spanish and Mexican influences on our region, the Transcontinental Railroad and the excitement of the California Gold Rush. History, Social Studies and Art classes were captured in writing and drawing assignments from our teacher and organized, with the help of our parents, into a thirty page typed and mimeographed publication, Early California

Mr. Erskine and  group of parents organized a fun and educational field trip to Mission San Jose to cap off our fourth grade school year and celebrate the completion of our little book. The following selection of student writing assignments describe that memorable day trip in a much simpler time nearly three quarters of a century ago:

OUR EXCURSION TO SAN JOSE MISSION

We went on an excursion to San Jose Mission. At school we planned our trip very carefully. Along the way we traced map. We had twelve cars with 

about five kids in each car. We had a car captain so the children would keep quiet. I was the captain in our car. The mission was very pretty. When we went inside we saw the bells, the altar and some oil paintings. After we had seen all the mission, we went to Niles Canyon for a picnic. After we ate, some of the boys went fishing the rest of us went wading. Then we went home we followed route 17 by Pleasanton and came back by the hills. It was fun.

We all brought notices for our trip to San Jose Mission. It was Thursday the 24th of May. Everybody came by 9:00 and went home at 2:30. Some mothers and dads were willing to take some of the class. The class was divided into the cars. There were twelve cars, forty five children children in the class, thee were three in each car. I was in Gary Rees’ grandmothers car. The three of us in in the car were Gary Rees, David M. and me, Sharon Sands.

   We started our trip at at 9:30. We started at Marshall School. We went on Highway 9. When we got to the mission Mr. Erskine, our teacher, took a picture of us sitting on the mission steps. Then we went in the mission. There was a woman guide. First we went to see the mission bells, they were little on a caver board, and when the Father rang the bells, the Indians of the mission came. In the same room was a candle lighted. In the second room was an organ. The organ was made in Spain. In the third room were some statues. Then we went out and started to find a place to lunch.

   First we went to Elderberry Park, we didn’t like it so we went on to Joyland Park in Niles Canyon. We stopped there and ate our lunch. Then some of the kids brought their bathing suites and went wading, and others took off  their shoes and socks and rolled up their pants and went wading. Then Mr. Erskine hid a bag of candy in a tree and we had a candy hunt and Karen Brown found it. Then we went back home. We came back on highway 17. We got back at 2:30 just as we planned it.

That’s me in our 4th grade class photo (Second Row from the top, fifth from the left), future Bookmaker, History Buff, and Rambler. Thank you Mr. Erskine.

-Bill   4/24