Marin history: Celebrating the Fourth of July in the early 1900s

The arrival of the train in the 1870s was a golden ticket to Marin’s great outdoors, and San Anselmo was a favorite picnic and camping spot for visiting San Franciscans escaping foggy weather. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake also brought more people to San Anselmo. By this time, the town was bustling and very proud of their Fourth of July extravaganza.

In a July 3, 1965, Marin IJ article, Florence Donnelly reminisced about San Anselmo’s spirited Fourth of July celebrations in the early 1900s. Although San Anselmo was not more than a “dusty spot on the road,” trainloads of people from San Francisco along with local residents flooded the town for the holiday festivities. The streets were dressed up with flags and banners for the jubilee.

The procession of San Anselmo’s parade was the focus of the day, which headed northbound on what is now Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, formerly Red Hill-Ross Landing Road. There was stiff competition amongst the floats but that wasn’t all. In 1910, it was reported in the San Francisco Call that there was fierce competition revolving around two towns’ Fourth of July celebrations — so much so that San Rafael put Fourth of July signs in San Anselmo storefronts, and San Anselmo responded by saying that they will arrest the citizens who were to blame.

The parade had a grand marshal, a marching band composed of Marin’s Company D of the National Guard, floats and firemen pulling their patriotic hose cart. Town dignitaries rode in automobiles and others rode in decorated surreys or carriages, or on horseback. The Horribles dressed in absurd garb and the Dashing Knights on their mounted chargers added merriment to the parade. Children joined the parade, riding in hay wagons, walking or being on the floats, which were adorned with buntings and flowers. Spanish American War veterans were another part of the tradition — donning their old uniforms — along with Uncle Sam making an appearance. The parade route had refreshment stands along the route offering lemonade, beer and sandwiches.

Politicians made orations to try and sway voters. Other entertainment included a band concert, a literary recitation and a baseball game. Speaking of baseball, Sept. 6, 1907, marked the date that baseball had been officially organized in San Anselmo. The first baseball field in town was on James Tunstead’s property directly behind today’s town hall. In 1911, two games were played on the old field over the Fourth of July weekend. Games had to be relocated later when the construction of the San Anselmo Library began in 1914.

Another Fourth of July activity was the racetrack, which was temporarily situated on the baseball field. Riders would line up, waiting for the gunshot to start the race. Local folklore said that some of the “cowboys” were from a local motion picture. And, after watching the races and ballgames, people took to “bathing” in the creek to cool off. The youngsters splashed around while boys paddled around in homemade canoes.

The evening culminated with a spectacular fireworks show enjoyed by all. A dance at Pioneer Hall on Ross Avenue completed this wonderful celebration in the good ole summertime — which would be remembered and cherished for years to come.

History Watch is written by Lane Dooling, marketing and social media coordinator at the Marin History Museum, marinhistory.org. Images included in History Watch are available for purchase by calling 415-382-1182 or by email at info@marinhistory.org