Mount Diablo Summit Building by Linda Sanford Reprinted from the Mount Diablo Review April 1, 1998 Summit Building | Ruth Ann Kishi The idea of having a museum or visitor center on the summit of Mount Diablo has been around for a very long time. In fact, even before Mount Diablo became one of California’s original State Parks those that visited the mountain top by stage, wagon and horseback commented on how great it would be to have a facility at the top of the mountain to interpret the spectacular view as well as the natural history of the mountain. Mount Diablo became a park in 1921. Administered by its own Mount Diablo State Park Commission, it was one of seven state parks created before the establishment of the California State Park System. The first State Park Bond Act passed in 1928. It was primarily through local interest and extensive lobbying by local groups that 1500 acres came into State ownership as Mount Diablo State Park in 1931. Many of the local interest groups that had been formed to support the acquisition of the park continued to be active supporters of additional expansion of the park and construction of facilities. One common interest shared by all of the groups was the construction of an interpretive facility on the summit of the mountain. Although there was strong support from the Department of Parks and Recreation, the entire country was in the midst of the Great Depression, so little, if any, chance for public funds existed for such a facility. However, while the Great Depression eliminated the possibility that the State would construct a mountain top visitor center, it also offered a unique alternative in the form of the federally funded Work Program Administration (W.P.A.) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.). Both of these programs put people to work and both programs were interested in constructing public projects such as parks, museums, roads, and public buildings. In the mid 1930s the Department of Parks and Recreation entered into an agreement with the W.P.A. to complete sketches, drawings and paintings for pictorial histories of several State Parks for use in visitor centers and museums. Although Mount Diablo State Park did not have a visitor center of a museum at the time, it was included in the project. The plan was to complete the exhibits first and construct the facility to house them at a later date. Exhibits planned for Mount Diablo included the “scientific series” and “historic series”; each exhibit consisted of small panels in watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, or pastels. The artists and support personnel for the project worked in studios at the federal art project in the old Agricultural Department building, a converted school on Potrero Avenue in San Francisco. An advisory committee was set up to assist the artists working on the projects. The committee consisted of a group of seven university professors to provide technical assistance and twelve local citizens from Contra Costa and Alameda Counties whose interest and influence in community affairs provided the necessary community support for the project. Dr. Bruce L. Clark, Professor of Paleontology at the University of California served as chair of the Mount Diablo Museum Project. By 1938 enough displays had been finished to furnish the old single-story stucco building at the summit. The stucco structure was on the summit site at the time the park acquisition took place in 1931. In the meantime, plans for a permanent facility at the mountaintop were being developed. The new building was to be constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) personnel living at the CCC camp on the south side of the mountain. Company 2932-V (World War I veterans) started work on the summit building in 1938. While plans for the new observation building were being finalized, a number of older structures were demolished and the area prepared for the new building that would house not only a viewing deck but also an aircraft beacon, a fire lookout, and the museum exhibits. The new building was constructed from sandstone quarried at Fossil Ridge on the mountain. Standard Oil of California donated money for the mortar, steel, and other materials need to complete the structure. Work on the new summit building came to a halt in 1940. The exterior of the building was completed, however, a serious problem with water leaks during storms developed during the winter months. Water would run through the mortar and sandstone into the interior of the building. Several attempts were made to solve the problem over the next several years. Although each solution helped, none seemed to totally resolve the problem. In the early 1950s, the Department of Parks and Recreation obtained several contracts to seal and complete the exterior of the building. The mortar joints were sealed and pointed, the observation deck roof was resealed, Gunite was applied to the interior of the building and the exterior of the building was sealed. However, even this did not make the building entirely waterproof. The work on the exhibits was completed by the W.P.A. in 1942 and the finished panels and displays were transferred to Contra Costa County’s Hall of Records for safe storage until the summit building was completed. When it became apparent that the leaks in the summit building would not be easily resolved, the displays were transferred to Mount Diablo State Park and stored at the recently abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Live Oak Campground. In 1951, after completion of additional efforts to seal the summit building, park employees discovered that many of the displays and paintings had been damaged beyond salvage by water, rodents, and dust. Those displays that could be salvaged were shipped to Sacramento where they were repaired and sent to other park units for use. The final blow for the summit museum came in 1956 when the temporary museum caught fire and burned to the ground. The displays were lost as well. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s interest in a summit building visitor center continued to come to the forefront; however, without the necessary leadership nothing happened. Then, in 1974, Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) formed to promote public awareness of the cultural and natural history of Mount Diablo. The members developed a temporary visitor center in a portion of the old summit building, staffing it with volunteers and docents. As MDIA’s interpretive efforts grew they searched for ways in which the 40-year old dream of a museum and visitor center at the summit could be realized. In 1982, the California State Park Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding California’s parks and recreational opportunities, joined forces with MDIA to help raise the necessary funding for the summit building project. The next year, the Department of Parks and Recreation agreed to correct the water intrusion problem and prepare the structure for exhibits and displays. Daniel Quan Design of San Francisco developed the plans for the museum and visitor center. Installation of the exhibits was completed in 1984. Today, the museum and visitor center house exhibits including a topographic model of the mountain. Rotating displays of art and photography complement the permanent exhibits. In addition to the exhibits, there is a small gift center within the building. Outside the summit building, telescopes are mounted on the Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail, a short walk away. On a clear day, the Sierra Nevada can be seen with the naked eye. If you look carefully, ancient marine fossils embedded in the sandstone walls can be seen along the stairway walls leading to the observation deck. The rotunda on top of the summit building is a reminder of Mount Diablo’s importance as a survey point. Sitting atop the rotunda is the old navigation beacon, lighted once a year on December 7 in memory of Pearl Harbor. Mount Diablo Summit circa 1930 Summit in Winter | Terese Dixon BACK TO LIST

Poison Oak by Robert Smith Mountain News, January 1999 A Plant to Avoid January 1, 1999 Daniel Fitzgerald This uncherished native plant of California, the botanical name of which is Toxicodendron diversilobum (an older botanical designation being Rhus diversiloba) , is a close relative of poison ivy, which is widespread in the eastern and central United States. The sap oil (urushiol) produces an allergic reaction in most persons who touch it. Regarding Califomia's poison oak, Dr. Glenn Keator writes in his Plants of the East Bay Parks (published by MDIA in cooperation with Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1994): "Poison Oak has earned for itself an indelible reputation; approach it always with care. Even those who have immunity may later lose it; better to be safe than sorry. Should you touch the twigs (even the bare twigs in winter) or leaves, rinse your hands immediately and wash with mild soap; this should remove oils. Remember to wash your dog if it has accompanied you, and wash your clothes as well." "Despite the consequences of its toxicity, poison oak is an interesting -- even attractive -- deciduous shrub. Thriving on disturbance, it has ventured into a wide range of different plant communities, behaving in each one according to circumstances: near the coast it lies prostrate next to the ground; in bright light it forms a dense shrub; in shade it climbs toward the sun, often ascending thirty to forty feet up a tree." "New growth is signaled in early spring by a flush of glossy reddish new leaves. By mid-spring, dangling chains of whitish-green flowers perfume the air, attracting bees for pollination. This perfume is harmless to humans and actually enhances many a spring outing. By summer, there are whitish berries the birds consume, and in fall the foliage turns brilliant red before falling. When leaves color up in summer, it's a sign that the dry period has stressed the shrubs, telling them it's time to lose leaves before they lose too much water. Out of leaf, poison oak may be identified by the long upright main branches with short, stubby side branches." Since allergic reactions to poison oak are unpredictable, one should avoid contact with the plant, both leaves and branches. Anyone with known sensitivity who is hiking in infested areas may with to apply the preparation Ivy Block (which prevents the oil from being absorbed by the skin) before starting a hike, but usually long-sleeve shirts and trousers-plus due wariness on the trail are sufficient precautions. Urushiol is absorbed into the skin within minutes after contact, hence the recommended washing of affected skin after contact apparently has limited benefit. Redness and blisters appear after about 24 hours, and can linger for two weeks. Calamine lotion applied to itching, inflamed skin can have a soothing effect. For more information, here are books (available in paperback) related to Poison Oak/Ivy: Nature's Revenge: The Secrets of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and Their Remedies , by Susan C. Hauser (Lyons Press, 1996) Gives a very reader-friendly presentation of relevant topics. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and Their Relatives , by Edward Frankel (Boxwood Press, 1991). Frankel discusses where the plant grows, its characteristics, and remedies for persons afflicted by it. The Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Book: A Short Natural History and Cautionary Account , by Thomas E. Anderson (Acton Circle Publish Co., 1995). Lots of scholarly research with sometimes surprising information about the plants and human allergic reactions. Spring Poison Oak | Mike Woodring Summer Poison Oak | Yulan Tong Fall Poison Oak | Mike Woodring Winter Poison Oak | Mike Woodring BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Jeweled (Serrated) Onion Scientific Name: Allium serra Family: Alliaceae (Onion Family) Blooms: Apr - May Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb (bulb) Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Jenn Roe Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Soap Root, Amole, Wavy-leaf Scientific Name: Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum Family: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Blooms: May - Jul Color: White Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Common Trefoil Scientific Name: Acmispon wrangelianus Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Bindweed Turret Bee Diadasia bituberculata Apidae Diadasia Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Diadasia bituberculata is bee that specializes in collecting pollen from Calystegia and Convolvulus flowers (False Bindweed, Bindweed, wild morning glory). They have long mouthparts, and females have long, widely-spaced pollen collecting hairs on their hind legs, and a rounded head on top that is narrower than the thorax. Nectar/ Pollen Plants Collects pollen and nectar only from morning glory flowers, bindweed and false bindweed (Convolvulus and Calystegia ). Habits These bees are turret builders, nesting in aggregations. Season April to June

Wildflower Mount Diablo Warrior's Plume (Yellow form) Scientific Name: Pedicularis densiflora Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family) Blooms: Feb - May Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Simona Laden

Wildflower Mount Diablo Buck Lotus, Big Deervetch Scientific Name: Hosackia crassifolia Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: May-Jul Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Curvepod Yellowcress Scientific Name: Rorripa curvisilique Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) Blooms: May-Aug Color: Yellow-Orange Annual or perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Quicksilver at Mount Diablo Mining and Scientific Press, Vol. 10, No. 18, p. 280 (May 6, 1865) May 6, 2018 Smelter at New Almaden 1862 One of the most promising mineral locations in Contra Costa is the quicksilver mine near the eastern base of the main summit of Mount Diablo. This mine has been known to the Tribal Communities from time immemorial. A very aged native, who has given up the roving habits of his race, and "located" in the vicinity of this mine, says that from the time of his boyhood all the natives in that region have been in the habit of resorting to that place for obtaining the red paint (sulphate of mercury) with which they were accustomed to bedaub themselves on all occasions of great festivity or when preparing for battle. The same use, it will be recollected, was made of the same substance at the New Almaden mine. So little attention was paid to mining matters about Mount Diablo, that it is only quite recently that the value of this mine has been brought to the notice of capitalists. It was first located by Mr. Welch, who, in connection with several of his friends, took it up a year or two ago. They ran a short cut into the face of the hill, and sunk a shaft some thirty-five feet in depth on the ledge, at which point they cut through-'the vein, which was thus proven to be continuous and about ten feet in thickness. This shaft was partially filled up at the time of our visit to the mine. The ore is very rich, the quicksilver being brought freely to the surface whenever the ore is exposed for a short time in a fire. Repeated assays of average rock have uniformly yielded most satisfactory results. The vein rock proper is accompanied with a large amount of earthy matter, known by the Mexicans as "tiros," precisely as it is found at the New Almaden mine, near San Jose. A large amount of free quicksilver can be washed from this earth by the ordinary pan process, securing, at the same time, large quantities of pure sulphuret of mercury, in the form of fine crystals, like sand. It is said that a man can make fair wages by merely panning out the native quicksilver. It may not be out of place in this connection to state that the party of Mexicans who were employed to do the work of the New Almaden Company, proposed to take the mine and open it thoroughly by tunnels and shafts for extensive working, and take merely the ore which they might raise for their pay--thus making the mine pay for its own development. The proprietors did not see fit to accept their offer, but preferred to associate themselves with capitalists and develop it on their own account. As a further evidence of the richness of this mine, it may be noticed that a small stream of water, which runs down the mountain, the most of the year, across the vein, has been taken up as a quicksilver placer; the locators intending to sluice out the bed of the stream for the free quicksilver, and the large deposit of rich boulders of ore and finely divided sulphuret sands which abound in the same. A handsome prospect of quicksilver can be obtained from a panfull of earth taken up at random, almost anywhere in this stream, for two or three thousand feet from the mine. The holders think they have got a "good thing" of it, and will commence operations as soon as the next rainy season sets in. The original owners of the mine, which is called after its locator, the "Welch Claim," have made an arrangement with Mr. Ogilsby, a capitalist, well known as the owner of the Ogilsby road over a portion of the Sierra, to put up furnaces and the necessary machinery for working the mine. The work of putting up this machinery has already commenced, and we understand the retorts will be ready for work in about two or three months. Experts and persons who have long been connected with the working of the ores of the New Almaden mine, say that this is quite as promising as that was at the start. The millions of profit which have been derived from the Almaden make the proprietors of the Welch claim almost fancy themselves millionaires also. We trust they may become so in reality. Three extension locations have been made upon the north and one upon the south of the original location, known as the Union Company, which presents quite as well defined a vein as that of the original Welch Company, and much more favorably located for working ; beyond which there is no appearance of the vein, and, indeed, such is the formation of the mountain, that there is scarcely a possibility of its being found any further. Some work has been done on the southern extension--a short cut run, in which the vein is exposed, and a location made for a tunnel, at a point which presents a most favorable opportunity for a thorough opening of the vein at a very moderate cost. The location of this vein is very favorable for profitable and economical working. It is situated within three or four hours' ride from San Francisco, and within eleven miles of good water communication, over nine miles of which there already exists an excellent and almost perfectly level county road. The other two miles are now being constructed by Mr. Ogilsby, who, by the way, is famous for building good roads. We shall not be surprised to see Mount Diablo, before long, presenting a formidable rival to the Old and New Almaden mines, which have for so many years controlled the quicksilver market of the world. This discovery, should it prove as valuable as it now promises to become, will be most opportune for the present increasing demand for this prime necessity for working ores of the precious metals is calling loudly for a new and additional source of supply, without which, the mining public may well fear a monopoly which may, at no distant day, exert a disastrous influence on the world's supply of gold and silver. BACK TO LIST

Brown-headed Cowbird Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater All Year Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks Daniel Fitzgerald The brown head of the adult male on this rather small blackbird is distinctive. The adult female is grayish-brown with a light-colored throat. Juveniles are buffy gray with a “scaly” back and soft breast streaking.

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