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This photograph of 'The Largest Prune Orchard in the World' was taken on March 26, 1888. According to 'Sunshine, Fruit and Flowers,' a book published by the San Jose Mercury Publishing Company in 1895, the Glen Una Orchard included 680 acres, with 350 acres planted in prunes, 160 trees to an acre. Three smaller tracts of land between Los Gatos and Saratoga had been combined by George W. Hume to create the orchard, including 450 acres formerly owned by Dr. George Warren Handy, father of Una (born 1872), for whom the orchard was named. Hume, owner of Pacific Coast Salmon Canneries, presented the huge development to his son, F. G. Hume, who in turn married Una Handy. The orchard was considered a perfect agricultural model, with private waterworks and its own electric-light plant. 'Everything about the place is kept in perfect order,' notes the 1895 publication. 'The trees are carefully cultivated and pruned, the roads are kept in good condition, the engine room is as clean as a parlor, and the fruit wagons are resplendent with bright paint and artistic lettering. The draft horses are all large, sleek and fat, and the carriage horses are neat-limbed, and of noble lineage.'
Do you have a pre-1975 photograph that you would like to share with the
community? Contact Library Director Peggy Conaway at pconaway@losgatosca.gov.
100 years ago
A terrible accident occurred last Friday evening about 7 o'clock at the depot, resulting in the instant death of Mr. Lewis Schilling, a sojourner here for the winter. The 6:40 narrow-gauge train from San Francisco had arrived and was being made up on the side track west of the main track for the next morning's run, and the engine, in charge of Engineer Pete Simon, of this city, was backing down the main track toward the roundhouse and turntable when the accident occurred.
Mr. Schilling had just stepped off one of the coaches next to the main track as the engine bore down upon him. Brakeman Hackett, who was on the rear step of the tender, saw the old gentleman's danger and shouted a warning, which was evidently not heard, or misunderstood, as Mr. Schilling was partially deaf. In apparent confusion, he (Schilling) stepped upon the main track directly in the way of the moving engine. The wheels of the tender and one driver passed over Mr. Schilling's body, literally severing him in twain. (Los Gatos Mail, March 29, 1906)
50 years ago
A community-wide campaign to "Help Billy Jones" get his miniature train chugging back on the tracks gathered a new head of steam today. The tiny train engine, a familiar sight in the West Valley to kids and adults alike, was heavily damaged last Thursday night when fire swept Jones' garage and engine house. (Los Gatos TimesSaratoga Observer, March 26, 1956)
Los Gatos Public Library Director Peggy Conaway compiled this report.
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