BEN ELIAS UNION CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
On June 13, 2000, the Union City Council approved a resolution that the Smith Street Fire Station should be used by the Union City Historical Museum.
On February 23rd, 2001, the Union City Historical Museum opened its door to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the mayor of Union City, Mayor Mark Green and the former mayor Tom Kitayama, and the presence of other city leaders and staff and the recognition of so many former city leaders of Union City and the joy and happiness of everyone in that Union City now have the very first museum.
After four years of hard work and persistence on the idea of having a museum in Union City, Myrla Raymundo was so proud at the museum opening. She said, "It's a dream come true. It took forever before I could make it a reality. I feel very happy and successful about it."
The Union City Historical Museum now stands majestically at 3841 Smith Street at the historic Alvarado district. Council member Ben Elias spearheaded the home for the museum. He was the one who made the motion to house the museum in the old firehouse in Alvarado. It was not easy. There were many others that were clamoring to use the building for other purposes. Ben Elias emerged victorious. Ben believes in Myrla Raymundo's idea that history does not stop; it continues every day. Myrla's main objective is to write the history of Union City as it goes forward, to collect artifacts that are being used right now for the future and to instill in the minds of kids and young adults the importance of learning the history of Union City.
Ben Elias was 32 years old and was the youngest of the Union City candidates, when he became the only new member on the Union City Council in the November 1993 Union City Election. Three incumbents won on the four-year term and Ben Elias, on the two-year term.
Usually voters prefer candidates of seeming straightforwardness and good virtue to men of eloquence and elegance. Ben got the virtue. One does not seek office; the office must seek the man. To appear to conform to this mystical tradition was long considered requisite to success in our politics and for many years most office seekers dutifully played the game of hide and be found. Union City found the right man for the position of council member. Ben got it; he knows what the city needs and he goes for it.
Ben came to Union City in l987 from Santa Clara, California. He got married in l986 and a son was born in l988.
Ben gained eminence through nonpolitical achievements by doing volunteer work in the city. He appeared to be bound by destiny for high office. When he decided at age twenty-eight to enter politics he was already well known throughout the city. Ben was very much interested in police functions and so he became a member of the Public Safety Task Force. He worked with youth groups and the police force. He was also a Campaign Reform Task Force member in 1992 - 1993.
As an elected council member, Ben Elias had done so much for the City of Union City. He is a man of stature and integrity, a good family man to wife Armin and son Andrew and a friend to everyone. But one of the most important issues that Ben had done for the city was the positioning of the Union City Historical Museum in a place where it could call home. We owe it to Ben Elias to have the very first museum in Union City.
Now the old brick fire station, that was built prior to l948, house the very first fire truck, the 1937 fire engine that was one of the original vehicles used by the volunteer fire department in the Old Alvarado district. It also houses display cases enshrine remnants of the city's past such as the original lantern from the Smith Street fire station, antique fire hose nozzles, an old copper kettle, a 1923 refrigerator and a 1923 stove used by one of our pioneers and many more. It also houses binders and binders of news clippings and historical documents dating from 1900 to the present and life stories written about our former city leaders.
And do you also know that the Smith Street fire house and now the Union City Historical Museum was the very first City Hall in Union City after incorporation? This was were former Mayor Tom Kitayama and the members of the city council worked on the issues of the city. The little brick firehouse had so much history in it and now it contains the history of Union City. It was meant to be.
Ben made it possible for the Museum to acquire two additional computers.
Ben Elias did it again. He spearheaded the house for the very first museum in Union City. He made a dream come true. He transformed Myrla Raymundo's dream into reality.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO/PRESIDENT
Dear Members and Friends of the Union City Historical Museum,
Adhering to our Mission Statement which is the preservation, maintenance and protection of, and the education of the public about the architectural, cultural, natural and historical heritage resources of the City of Union City, I had included a lot of historical profiles and historical events to remind all of us of the past important happenings in our city. It will bring us lots of memories.
Many residents had come forward to donate to us their most valued artifacts and also to provide us with old documents that tell us the past happenings in our city and we are most thankful. You will read all about them in this issue and in the future issues of our newsletter.
We are most thankful to the Union City Council for providing us the funding to continue our work. Please continue to support our activities.
Myrla Raymundo, President
THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM IS OPEN
The Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 AM -4:00 PM. The Museum has a lot of materials and historical documents for your reading pleasure. The Museum also has an educational program that is now available to all city residents and schools. Come and visit the Museum and we will give you a historical tour. We are sure you will enjoy seeing our past. For more info, call the Museum at (510) 324-3298.
LETTERS, LETTERS, LETTERS
We get letters from the community. Here's one:
July 2, 2001
Dear Myrla,
I would like to congratulate you on outstanding job you are doing to preserve the history of Union City. With your enthusiasm and dedication, you have been able to preserve what's left of the past. It is too bad that many of the pioneers of (Decoto and Alvarado) have passed on, many of whom could provide much information, but there are still a few of the old timers that still remember the old days and can give a little information of the past. Myrla, you're doing a tremendous job convincing the city fathers how important this project is. They have to realize that what they do't preserve today is gone tomorrow. Myrla, we hope to get to the Bay Area one of these days and when we will certainly try and visit the Museum.
Sincerely, Fred E. Castro P.S. Lots of Good luck on the Museum.
Editor's Note: Fred Castro is a charter member of the Union City Historical Museum and was the very first Park and Recreation Commissioner. He now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
March 1, 2001
Myrla,
I am sorry I was unable to attend the reception held on the 23rd and 24th of February. I received the notice just yesterday February the 28th. I sure would have liked to have been there. I moved to Patterson 4 months ago. (Note: He gave Myrla his new address). So keep in touch with me for any future events, I still belong to Union City after all the years I lived there. Well, I haven't much more to say, only to let you know that I would like to be notified for any future events. Thank you very much.
Mr. Billy G. Agundez
Editor's Note: Billy Agundez was the manager of the Pacific States Boxing Club of Union City and was featured in one of the issues of the Museum newsletters.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Union City Historical Museum not only records oral histories from people living in the community, collects artifacts and displays them in the Museum and maintains a library for books and historic documents; but also identifies and encourages preservation of historical homes and buildings.
In connection with the city's Preservation Ordinance, the Museum periodically submits ten historical homes and buildings for designation as historical. Another ten homes were submitted to the Planning Commission and to the City Council for approval:
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY....
HISTORICAL EVENTS
Alvarado was named in honor of Don Juan B. Alvarado, former governor of California. Some historical events that happened in Alvarado were:
* St. Anne's Church was one of the first Missions in this area
* The first Alameda County Court House was located here with a State Registered Landmark No. 503, situated in the center of the business district.
* The California Beet Sugar Manufacturing Company was the first successful beet sugar mill in the nation with a U. S. Treasury Department license No. 2. A California Registered Historical Landmark No. 186 is erected in front of the main gate of the Holly sugar Corporation, the site of the first mill.
* "The Union' steam boat used to carry produce from Union City to other outlying areas.
* Union City, which is the present incorporated name is not new, but was in existence at the time Alvarado was first settled.
HISTORICAL PROFILES
End of the Road for Narrow Bridge
- Excerpt from the Union City "The Leader" October 12, 1967
Bonds Backers - S.H. Strickland and Ed Mori post on the narrow Smith Street Bridge with posters in hand. The sign at the rear points out the obvious need for a new bridge and street realignment.
Ed Strickland and Ed Mori Ed Mori, born on April 17, 1920 in Korbel, California was very active in Union City politics. He and his wife Annie have three children. Ed, Jr. lives in Oakley, California, Evelyn, who still lives with them and Barbara, who lives in Fremont. They moved to their present house at Wendy Court in l961. He was boasting that he only paid $16,950 for the house of 60 years.
Aside from working in different jobs, Ed was a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee and an honorary member of the Union City Police Department.
He spends his spare time in making everything out of aluminum cans. He and his wife Anne and daughter visited the museum many times.
A city resolution No. 1420-71 was presented to Ed Mori expressing appreciation for community service, that of participating and being a part of the Citizen Advisory Committee. It was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Union City held on June 7, 1971, by Councilman Garcia who moved its adoption and passage by the votes of Councilmen Williams, Alvelais, Miller, Garcia and Mayor Franco.
Ed Strickland was a Planning Commissioner Mr. Strickland who died in l980. His widow, Mrs. Strickland, still lives in their old home since l961. They have 5 children. A daughter died, one son lives in Fremont, Dorothy lives in Stockton, Jean lives with her and Nancy lives in Antioch. Mrs. Strickland said she remembers she used to ride the Union City Bus and the AC transit to transfer her to the Fremont Senior Center to volunteer.
Councilmember Don Miller was active in the community. He participated in many group activities to promote better understanding in Union City. As a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, Don was active in the 701 Continuos Planning Program. He worked actively with other citizens to promote the successful Parks and Streets Bond Election.
PAST UNION CITY MAYORS
Year Mayor Vice-Mayor
1959 Tom Kitayama
1960 John Ratekin Oscar Dowe
1961 Oscar Dowe Tom Kitayama
1962 Tom Kitayama George Sloan
1963 John Ratekin Oscar Dowe
1964 Willard Davis Irv Williams
1965 Irv Williams Bernie Morales
1966 Bernie Morales Tom Kitayama
1967 Bernie Morales Tom Kitayama
1968 Leo Alvelais Tom Kitayama
1969 Tom Kitayama Manuel Garcia
1970 Manuel Garcia Henry Franco
1971 Henry Franco Don Miller
1972 Don Miller Tom Kitayama
1973 Don Miller Tom Kitayama
1974 Tom Kitayama (by popular vote)
UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT (FY2000-2001)
The Union City Historical Museum Annual Report is out. A copy was presented to the Union City Council in compliance with their requirement.
Highlights are the history, background information, our officers, our mission statement, our accomplishments for the fiscal year, the Historical Preservation activities, the State Landmarks, Oral History, educational program, our website and the Museum Newsletter.
Copies of the Annual Report are at the Museum if you want to read all about it.
BLESSING OF THE MUSEUM
On August 18, 2001, Father Jose of the Holy Rosary Church came and blessed the Museum Building. The purpose is for the spirituality, prosperity and continuing success of the Museum.
A sumptuous lunch was provided by the members. We thank Commissioner Phil Verzola , his wife Leila and daughter Veronica for arranging the blessing of the Museum.
Thank you all for coming to the Blessing of the Museum.
MUSEUM OFFICIALS ON THE GO
The Museum officials are always on the go. The following attended city events during the months of July and August June 2001:
Myrla Raymundo gave a tour of the Museum to a professor of the University of Maryland on July 3, 2001.
MUSEUM DOCENTS
We're calling on the Museum members to help us. If you're available in any of those days, please come by and help.
The training for Museum Docents continues every Saturday at 10:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. You will feel fulfilled knowing that you are helping in the preserving and recording of the history of our city. You will also have a full knowledge of the history of Union City. Museum Docents man the Museum, do library work, conduct tours of the Museum and make educational presentations.
We'll wait for your call at the Museum (510) 324-3298 or call Myrla Raymundo, President, at (510) 489-0133 or E-Mail at RAYMYR@aol.com |
