Belvedere’s Past on Display
 Maybe
you’ve noticed the recently installed historic plaques
around town. Roger Felton of he Belvedere Community Foundation
and the archivists from the Landmarks Society, Piper Berger and
Jim Davenport found several old photographs depicting Belvedere’s
early days. To remind long-time residents and introduce
newcomers to Belvedere’s past, four historical trail
plaques were designed in which a narrative gives the historic
content of each photograph.
There are four locations where pictures were found to
show “then and now.”
- On Beach Road opposite Cove Road the plaque recalls
the time when access to Ark Row and Tiburon was across
a drawbridge connecting Belvedere and Corinthian Islands.
- At Beach Road and Peninsula Road is a photo taken
in early 1900 of some of the first homes on the east
side of the island as well as the China Cabin and the
Farr Apartments.
- Near the Harry B. Allen lane up Beach Road is a circa
1910 panorama of the Cove and beyond. This site gives
the viewer a glimpse of how much the Tiburon Peninsula
has changed.
- In Community Park is the fourth plaque with photos
of the Lagoon prior to its development by the Belvedere
Land Company.
Roger Felton was an integral part of this project from
selecting the site-specific photographs to writing the
copy, designing the panels, and setting the type to working
with General Graphics and On Spot Welding. Roger says, “My
interest in this project had been longstanding. I felt
the project was worthwhile and would be appreciated by
the community. I finally had the time to make it happen.” Thanks
also go to Marty Gordon, Sandy Donnell and Chris Telischak
who helped edit the copy.
The plaques are enamel on steel mounted in stainless steel
frames for permanence. The project was initiated and funded
by the Belvedere Community Foundation. Thanks to the Tiburon
Peninsula Foundation and their “Historic Trail” plaques
for the inspiration and guidance. |