OLD SCHOOL SHOPPING In February 1904, James W. Hamilton, a well-known grocer, purchased three lots in Novato and began building a one-story structure that became the Hamilton Bros. Grocery. His brother, Fred S. Hamilton moved from Kansas and became a business partner in charge of the Novato store which opened on May 1, 1904. Located at the corner of Sherman and Grant Avenues, the Hamilton Bros. Grocery Store carried everything customers needed – groceries, fresh vegetables, feed…and offered good prices for fresh eggs. Later, Fred Hamilton was appointed postmaster in Dec 1914 and the Novato post office was moved into the grocery store. By 1918, Fred Hamilton had sold off his interests and moved to San Rafael. In 1919, the building became the town’s (first) Community House. The old Community House was sold to A. H. Anderson for $3,500 in 1922. After additional owners, the building, owned by Mr. A.E. Pulley, was razed in November 1945. This photograph features (left to right) Fred S. Hamilton, Proprietor, William Millmeister, Charlotte Millmeister, Mrs. Fred Hamilton, William Cain (side note: Mr. Cain was on crutches due to an injury in the1909 train wreck of Hamilton Field Area), Mrs. Cain and Mrs. Ringens. Photograph: Hamilton Bros. Grocery Store c. 1910, donated by Al Lerch. #novato #generalstore #grocerystore #1900s #marincounty #marinhistory (fb)

By 1900, the Remillard Brick Company was the largest brick making firm on the Pacific Coast. The kiln supplied much of the brick required to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hutchinson Quarry’s story began in 1924 after Dwight and Hardy Hutchinson purchased 75 acres on the San Quentin peninsula from the Remillard Brickyard family. The land was in the hills north of the Remillard brick kiln and was used as a quarry where a grinder produced crushed rock which was carried along conveyor belts to barges docked nearby and transported to various public works projects throughout the Bay Area until the late 1950s. The Quarry provided fill and base for Treasure Island, access roads for the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin County highways and roads. Later, the City approved the development of 478 apartments at this site. The Larkspur Ferry Terminal was constructed and dedicated in December 1976, with the construction of the Marin County Mart (Larkspur Landing Center) a few years later. In terms of the old quarry site, the Victorian cottage, called Remillard Cottage (or the Superintendent’s House), is associated with the Remillard brick kiln or also known as the Green Brae Brickyard (2900 Larkspur Landing Circle). Built in 1891, the site houses the Children’s Cottage Cooperative Preschool which began in 1949. The cottage was renovated in 1985 by the Beryl Buck Trust, Robert H. Lee, The City of Larkspur and the Remillard Cottage Trust, and is listed in the Larkspur Historic Resource Inventory. Photograph: Larkspur Landing and Hutchinson Quarry c. 1939, MHM Collection. #larkspurlanding #countrymart #hutchinsonquarry #larkspur #remillardbrickcompany #marinhistory (fb)