The view from the top...

Have you checked out our backyard lately?

Mission Peak soars above Fremont's rolling hills.

Mission Peak has been described as one of the Bay Area's most underrated summits. The determined hiker who reaches its top (2.8 miles) will be rewarded with views of Mount Hamilton to the south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the northeast.

Where do you go to hike this 2,999 acre peak? Follow Stanford Ave off of Mission Boulevard to it's east end. This will lead you to the staging area. The climb is steep from this location. You can get driving directions from Google maps!

If you desire a more gradual ascent, take the trail up from the Ohlone College parking lots.

Which ever path you choose to follow, your journey will surely be an adventure!

I'm just a kid from Fremont who throws hard...

We here at Celebrate Fremont think that Dennis Eckersley is pretty great. Our own hometown hero, who grew up in Fremont and went to Washington High, is the first Fremontian to be entered into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Check out the exerpt from the Argus article below and be sure to come to "Celebrate Fremont @ the Park" and join in on Dennis's FREE baseball clinic!


Celebrate Fremont calls for naming Washington High field after Eckersley

"Eckersley spent nine years as an Oakland A's relief pitcher, seeing the team through three consecutive American League championships from 1988 to 1990. He was named the league's most valuable player in 1992."

The school district has a policy that allows for the naming of a school facility after an individual who has contributed greatly to the district as a student, staff or community member, or who has made "contributions of local, state, national or worldwide significance."

"I think being the first and only person from Fremont being elected to the Hall of Fame would fit that criteria," Jack Rogers said. (more)

Take me out to the ...Ballgame...

A's Game tickets are going like hot cakes! LAM Research has purchased 2000 tickets! What a homerun! Hooray for LAM! NUMMI also bought 1000 tickets!

Well its no surprise to us. The "Fremont Day @ the A's" is sure to be spectacular!

Celebrate Fremont and The Oakland A's are celebrating Fremont's 50th Anniversary on August 16 @ 7:00pm. The event is co-sponsored by Lam Research Corporation.

Tickets are $10 off Plaza Infield Seats, with $5 going to Celebrate Fremont!

Go to our website for the order form before tickets run out! The deadline for purchasing tickets has been extended to August 9th. You still have some time to grab a seat!

This is a chance to reach out and network with our friends, families, colleagues, neighbors, co-workers, fellow club members, and religious groups to come together," observes Irene Koehler, chair of the Celebrate Fremont steering committee. "What a beautiful sight it would be to demonstrate our unity by wearing Celebrate Fremont 50th Anniversary T-shirts to the game!"

You can buy a t-shirt on celebratefremont.org

The former Napa Valley

Away from the coastal fog and wind, and close by a major market, this area of Alameda County was ideal for vineyards and wine production. The history began with the Spanish Missionaries in 1797, and continued until 1996, when the last winery moved out.

Acreage devoted to vineyards, and wine production, increased until the 1890's when a phylloxera infestation killed many of the original vines. Faced with the cost of replacing the vines with resistant varieties, many of the vineyards were converted to growing other fruit or sold for non-agricultural use. The earthquake of 1906, further diminished production as the Gallegos/Palmdale Winery was destroyed, and Prohibition in the 1920's stopped production completely (though temporarily) until 1933. Finally, Fremont's urban growth since 1960, put an end to production, as former vineyards were converted to housing.

Jill Singleton offers a fun history of the wineries and vineyards of Fremont's past.

Today...
The olive and palm trees of the McIver Linda Vista wineries still stand tall off of Anza Avenue and Mission Boulevard.

The William Brother's cannery and bottling plant stood in the vicinity of the Amtrak station in Centerville.

The original brick winery from Leland Stanford's and the Weibels' Winery can be found at the end of Stanford Lane near the Mission Peak Regional Park staging area.

The Palmdale Winery was demolished during the Great Earthquake of 1906. The remnant landscape now stands at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Osgood Road.

Grizzly Bears...where?

Wow! Has the landscape of Fremont changed since 3000 B.C!

Yup! That's right.

The earliest evidence of human occupation in the Bay Area was in 3000 B.C. The Ohlone culture is said to have been created in 400 A.D., but didn't meet Europen explorers until 1772. Washington Township was created during the Gold Rush in 1849. It grew to become a stable agricultural community of orchards and vegetable fields. The township provided food, supplies and gas to the rural community.

Wanna learn more? There is a full timeline chronicling Fremont's steps from 3000 B.C.

There's so much more to learn! For example, did you know that Warm Springs was once a health spa and resort? Or that in 1956, when the city incorporated, Fremont was the third largest city in the state --only smaller to L.A. and San Diego? We didn't know that there were once grizzly bears in Niles Canyon!

Paul Holmes also features a great condensed history of Fremont on the Museum of Local History's website.

Choo Choo!

The Library talk yesterday was a hit! Check out our own Doug Tinney's wrap up of the event (complete with pictures - what a guy!) and be sure to check out the Celebrate Fremont website to mark your calendar's for the next one in August!



The July presentation at the Fremont Main Library was entitled "Fremont and its Railroads", but "Where did the Railroads Go?" would have been equally suitable.

Randy Hees provided a very informative and interesting look at how the railroads in the area came to be and why Washington Township was bypassed as the main rail corridor as multiple railroads developed in the late 1800's.

Many train buffs were in the crowd, with one gentleman driving down from San Francisco to attend! Randy was delightful to listen to, sprinkling in a number of anecdotal stories about the early rail barons.

Oh! Excuse me, my trains about to pull out.

So Uhh...What do you do?

Many have asked us what Celebrate Fremont is all about, and why so many individuals and businesses within the community have donated their time and money to the organization. Well, if you haven't already heard, Celebrate Fremont is throwing a TWO-DAY absolutely free event at Central starting September 9th, called Celebrate Fremont at The Park.

What can you expect? Fun for the whole family of course! Come to learn about the history of Fremont and where it's headed in the future. Discover unique arts and crafts from local artisans. Learn ethnic dance from the cultures that make up our most diverse city. Take a sports clinic (including a pitching with Dennis Eckersley!). How about great food, NINE stages local musical talent, and of course a beer garden!

Go to the website to learn more about the event. We've got the scoop from the event planners so stay tuned to the blog for more updates and announcements! Check out the video here first at the Celebrate Fremont Blog!!

All aboard!

We have not one...not two...but THREE different railroads in Fremont!

Come learn how these railroads helped tie Fremont to the outside world. They helped develop not only Fremont, but our neighboring cities as well --50 years ago to even today!

Fremont Main Library will be presenting a local history program, "Fremont and its Railroads, 1862-2006, a review of the history of railroads in Washington Township." Randy Hees will begin his presentation at 7pm on Wednesday July 19, 2006.

The Fremont Main Library is located at 2400 Stevenson Blvd. No need to register in advance. Just bring yourself! Bring your family! Bring your friends!

Speaking of Niles...

His shoes were too big for him. His derby hat was always falling off. But with his trademark moustache in tow, Charlie Chaplin always managed to find trouble.

And where did he find trouble you ask? On the sets of his hilarious movie sets --in our very own Niles district!

Learn more about his adventures in Fremont. Go on the heritage tour this weekend! You'll see Historic Niles and learn about Essanay Studios, where Chaplin filmed his knee-slapping silent movies!

Also...Celebrate Fremont's future committee is organizing a "Where's Charlie Chaplin?" hunt for the celebration on September 9 & 10. Find all the Charlies scattered around the park and win an awesome prize! It'll be lots of fun!

Can you imagine Tom Cruise hanging out on Mission Blvd (minus the crazy of course)? Well we bet that's what it was like when Charlie, an internationally renowned superstar of his day, made movies in our very own Fremont.

Get on the Bus!

Hi Fremont Fans – looking for something fun and educational for the family to do this weekend? Well you’re in luck – the ever popular Celebrate Fremont Heritage tours are rolling through this weekend! Tour guides Nydia Estrada and Al Minard will share their wealth of knowledge about Fremont’s five fabulous districts.

So what’s up for the next tour? This weekend the morning tour will feature Historic Niles where you’ll learn history behind the Essanay Studios, where Bronco Billy and Charlie Chaplin made films (way before there ever was a Hollywood). And how about the Historic Niles Canyon Railway? Learn more about it’s history and all that Niles has to offer!

In the afternoon, sightseers will explore Centerville –the district that is at the center of the roads crossing to the four points of the compass: Oakland to the north, San Jose to the south, Mission San Jose to the east, and the Bay landings or Embarcaderos to the west. Home of the historic Center Theater, Centerville Depot, Pioneer Cemetery, Bill Ball Plaza and much, much more – this district has a lot to discover.

Tickets are selling fast (how many Fremontians can you fit on a bus!?), so be sure to check out the Celebrate Fremont website (http://www.celebratefremont.org/) to learn more and snatch up those tickets!

Not just in California

We all know that Fremont, California was named after the John C. Fremont.

John C. Fremont arrived in the 1840's to map a trail through Mission Pass. California’s admission to the United States and the Gold Rush stimulated further migration to the area [that is now the city of Fremont], attracting people from all parts of the world.

He also inspired communities across the country to name their city after him. We have to admit they have great names but none quite match the California version :)Check it out:


Fremont, Alabama
Fremont, Indiana
Fremont, Iowa
Fremont, Kentucky
Fremont, Minnesota
Fremont, Missouri
Fremont, Michigan
Fremont, New Hampshire
Fremont, New York
Fremont, North Carolina
Fremont, Ohio
Fremont, Pennsylvania
Fremont, Tennessee
Fremont, Utah
Fremont, Virginia
Fremont, Washington
Fremont, Wisconsin

The Fremontia

Check out the official flower of the city of Fremont.

The fremontia's five petals are said to represent the five districts of Fremont. The leaves are covered with hairs which give the flower a fuzzy, flannel-like feeling.

It is tolerant of smog and drought resistant but does best in well-watered but well-drained situations. This species produces showy displays of lemon-yellow saucer-like flowers followed by bristly brown capsules. The largely tropical family to which Fremontia belongs includes such economically important plants as Cola (a source of caffeine) and Theobroma (cocoa).

The Future!

What could the future of Fremont hold?

A landmark downtown?

More open spaces?

More after school programs?

BART to San Jose?

A multicultural center?

Help us create a united vision for the future. To give us your opinion, fill out this survey!

Speaking of 50...

We all know that Fremont is celebrating it's 50th anniversary, having incorporated on January 23, 1956. If you haven't already seen, check out how Celebrate Fremont commemorated our great city's birthday. As it turns out there are a bunch of 50th birthdays this year including:

Disneyland
Mel Gibson - 01/03
Mimi Rogers - 01/27
Eddie Murray - 02/24
Paula Zahn - 02/24
Andy Garcia - 04/12
LaToya Jackson - 05/29
Kenny G - 06/05
Chris Isaak - 06/26
Montel Williams - 07/03
Tom Hanks - 07/09
Sela Ward - 07/11
Joan Allen - 08/20

And last but not least Uncle Suresh...we're not sure who he is but he has a cute family:


-CBFT

Geocaching

Looking for a fun activity this weekend? How about discovering the Celebrate Fremont Geocache? What's Geocaching you ask?

Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a
cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and
capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and
organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these
caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find
the caches.

Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide
variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they
should try to leave something for the cache.

For more info check the Celebrate Fremont Geocache website!

Don't have a GPS tracker? How about trying Google Earth?

Happy geocaching!

-CFBT

Fremont on Wikipedia

Wikipedia has become a phenomenon - it's a place where anyone can add any information about any topic they want. So...what does it have to say about Fremont?

The city is named after John Charles Frémont, "the Great Pathfinder."

Fremont had the largest Afghan population in the United States in 2001 and still has a large Afghan population today.

On the other end of Hip Hop's political spectrum, Emcee Lynx grew up in the Irvington district of Fremont.

Click here, to find out what else Wikipedia has to say about our fine city, and for that matter add your own tidbits. And if you haven't yet checked out the Celebrate Fremont 4th of July Photo Album, here are some more pictures from the gallery!

-CFBT

Fremont Day at the A's

Celebrate Fremont and The Oakland A's are celebrating Fremont's 50th Anniversary with "Fremont Day @ The A's" on August 16 @ 7:00pm, co-sponsored by Lam Reseach Corporation. Tickets are $10 off Plaza Infield Seats, with $5 going to Celebrate Fremont! Go to our website for the order form before tickets run out! If the video doesn't load click here too see it.

-CFBT (celebrate fremont blogging team)

4th of July Parade Pictures

After many days of putting together our floats, we're proud to announce that with our first effort, Celebrate Fremont was awarded second place for best non-commercial float! Check out pictures of the team assembling the float as well as tons of great pics of the whole parade at Celebrate Fremont's 4th of July picture site! Below are just a few of the photo's we took at the parade, if you were in the parade or watching from the crowd you may be featured in our pictures!

For more pictures of Celebrate Fremont events be sure to check out the Celebrate Fremont website and Celebrate Fremont Web Album (a separate album from the 4th of July picture site). Have any great memories to share about the parade? Did you like our float? Any favorite pictures? Be sure to leave us a comment on this post and let us know!

-Celebrate Fremont Blogging Team

Welcome to Celebrate Fremont's Blog

Hi All,

Celebrate Fremont has been active for two years, putting together great events celebrating Fremont's 50th anniversary this year. Stay tuned to the blog for upcoming event schedules as well as pictures, videos and recaps of past events! Of course visit our website for more exciting information about Celebrate Fremont!

-Celebrate Fremont