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| Landmark #241 | Alameda County | Visited: May 31, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque commemorating the first secular man in California to cultivate grapes, fruit, and grain! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Robert Livermore, first settler of Livermore Valley, was born in England in 1799. He arrived in Monterey in 1822 and married Josefa Higuera y Fuentes in 1830. On his Rancho las Positas, where he settled in 1835, “Next to the mission fathers, he was the first man to engage himself in the culture of grapes, fruit, and grain.” He died in 1858. The Livermore hacienda was a short distance north of this spot.
OTHER TIDBITS: You don’t often realize the human drama when you read a history book. Take this little scenario for example: Robert married Josefa when she was a widow with a child. What does that say about his character? Josefa outlived him too, but after having ten more children added to her care. What does that say about her character? |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Portolá Park Portolá Ave and N Livermore Ave Livermore, CA 94551 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~340mi (548km) — 5.7hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
I’m trying to find out more information about Josefa Higuera. Are there any books or articles you could recommend?
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for reading The Bill Beaver Project! It’s been about 7 years since I visited this landmark, so my memory’s kind of fuzzy. You might have luck with the Livermore Heritage Guild, since that’s their area of focus! Good luck!