Marin County CA Archives History - Books .....Introduction 1958 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 11, 2007, 12:49 am Book Title: Shark Point - High Point Introduction "SHARK POINT - HIGH POINT" was first published by the Reed School Eighth Grade, Class of 1954, as a mimeographed booklet with illustrations by the authors. In "How this Book was Written" the students tell their own story of a project involving original research into the history of their community, as well as writing. The two hundred copies of that first edition still are treasured by lucky owners. The Class of 1955 issued a new edition of one hundred and fifty copies, containing additions and revisions. Since then, other graduating classes have contributed to this student project which, we believe, is an unique achievement. Certainly it is a fine example of what can be done by early teenagers working in public school under an inspired teacher - in this case, Miss Joyce Wilson. Not only is "Shark Point - High Point" outstanding as an educational by-product - it also has set a high standard of cooperation between school and community. From a class project, "Shark Point - High Point" grew into a real community enterprise. We are proud to present an expanded edition of "Shark Point-High Point" for two main reasons. First, more people will learn of this eighth grade accomplishment and it may even become a "pilot project," encouraging other regional studies by other classes. Second, it performs a distinct community service, since there has been no other written history of the Tiburon-Belvedere area alone, and even the official History of Marin County was last published in 1880. It is long out of print, and out of date. We are indebted to two members of the California Historical Society for spending time and thought on "Shark Point - High Point". The Society's Chairman of Publications - Mrs. Richard Y. Dakin, a Belvedere parent - worked with our Editorial Committee consisting of Mrs. David Teather, Mrs. Erwin Farley and Miss Wilson. They edited the original manuscript, to a limited extent; selected and prepared for publication illustrative materials gathered by the young authors. Lawton Kennedy, printer of most of the Society's publications, designed the lay-out as his contribution to our project. Another valuable contribution - and example of the way so many people have given of their time and talents - was that of Walter B. Conner Jr., who "expressly executed" the handsome map in the book's center section. Such a project as this local history research never is completed. Even as proofs for "Shark Point - High Point" were being read, new areas of investigation were suggested. New facts and new sources continually are being discovered by amateur historians. In short, this book represents not the last word but merely a late edition. Partly because of the interest aroused by "Shark Point - High Point", there now is a permanent file on local history in the Belvedere-Tiburon Branch of the Marin County Free Library. Additions are welcomed. The original edition of this book was dedicated, by vote of the class, to Mr. Albert R. Hutchinson, Mr. William Tresnon, and Mrs. Harry B. Allen, "in sincere appreciation for the help and interest which made it possible". To this we would like to add a second dedication, adapted from words written by Susanna Bryant Dakin (author of several books on California history) to preface her story of Rancho Santa Anita called "Place of Many Waters": "Thousands of people have come to live and work within the original boundaries of Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio. They may reside on tiny fragments of the huge Mexican land grant, but no boundaries of the mind are imposed upon them. To the history makers and recorders of this region, we dedicate this study of their land." Reed District Parent-Teacher Club Belvedere - Tiburon, California November, 1958 Additional Comments: Extracted from: Shark Point - High Point An Illustrated History of TIBURON & BELVEDERE IN MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA BY EIGHTH GRADERS OF THE REED SCHOOL CLASSES OF 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 PUBLISHED BY THE REED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENT-TEACHER CLUB BELVEDERE-TIBURON MCMLVIII Designed by Lawton Kennedy, San Francisco 3000 Copies Printed by R. G. Fontana & Son, San Anselmo File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/marin/history/1958/sharkpoi/introduc507nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb