11/30/2024
INSTALLATION OF HISTORIC HIKERโS TRAIL MAP REPLICA
The replica of the historic Hikerโs Trail Map is the most recent chapter in the story of Mill Valleyโs role as a long-time mecca for outdoor recreation; a now gone but not forgotten building that evokes fond memories to this day; and the creativity of two generations of local residents who have worked to preserve our history.
In the earliest years of Mill Valleyโs development, it was envisioned that the center of town would be located near the current site of Old Mill School. Accordingly, a railroad spur was laid along Throckmorton Avenue to bring passengers from the Depot to the intended center of commerce. For reasons unknown, this plan never came to fruition. The tracks were never used and remain today under the present roadway, however a solitary reminder of the intended center of commerce stood for over 100 years, until 2004, in this residential neighborhood.
The two-story structure at Throckmorton Avenue and Old Mill Street was purchased in 1898 by Marie and John Buss who opened the Mill Valley Cafรฉ, Bakery and Confectionary. They were followed in 1920 by Louis Gerhardt and his sister Annie Gash. The Mohrs then ran Mohrโs Grocery Store through the 1930โs, until its purchase by Loretta Burke of Burkeโs Grocery. In 1946, Loretta sold to J.W. and Hazel Witt, who sold Wittโs Grocery two years later to Norman D. Clark.
By the time that Mr. Clark opened Clarkโs Grocery in December 1948, Mill Valley had been a popular destination for hiking for well over 50 years. Visitors arriving at the Depot, first by train, then later by bus and car, would often immediately set out by foot, or until 1929 by the Mountain Train, to experience our beautiful trails. Those who didnโt head into Blithedale Canyon would follow Throckmorton Avenue, where they would find the grocery store a quarter of a mile down the road.
Within two months of taking ownership of the store, reportedly weary of being asked for directions by visitors, Mr. Clark commissioned Walter Finn, custodian of Muir Woods National Monument, and Melville Whittaker, chief ranger of Mt. Tamalpais State Park, to help design a 10โ x 10โ scale map of the hiking trails on Mt. Tamalpais. The map was then painted on the tongue and groove wooden boards on the northwestern side of the building in February 1949.
The map remained visible until it was shingled over with asbestos tiles by new owner Bill Thran, who had purchased the market in 1950, after immigrating from Bremen, Germany. Bill and his wife Minna ran the Old Mill Market and then Thranโs Market until 1966. After Minnaโs death, Bill opened Thranโs Fix-It Shop and later Bill's Fixitorium in the same location.
In 2002, after Bill had passed away, preparation began for the demolition of the building to make way for residential housing. In this process, the historic map was revealed. For protection in case of future loss or destruction, a high-resolution photograph was taken of the original map, and discussion began about the possibility of creating a large-scale replica of the map for public display. Subsequently, a group of volunteers from the Mill Valley Historical Society received permission to pry the individual siding boards on which the map had been painted off of the building. Resident C.J. Carrillo took the lead on the removal of the boards, and stored them on his property at no charge for the next 14 years, during which time alternative sites and formats were explored.
In 2013, the Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission approved the proposal to install a large-scale reproduction of the map in Old Mill Park, however concerns about potential vandalism and long-term costs of maintenance resulted in re-consideration of a location to install the original map.
After years of exploring alternative sites, Helen Russell, co-founder and CEO of Equator Coffee and master lease holder of 34 Miller Avenue, gave approval for installation of the map on the outside southeastern wall of the building. General Contractor Guy Palmer, who has lived in Mill Valley since childhood and remembers visiting the old grocery as a boy, had consulted on the project since the map was removed from the original building and was responsible for the installation in its new location in 2018.
Unfortunately, exposure in the new location resulted in degradation of the map, and in 2024 concerns and subsequent research resulted in the conclusion that it wasnโt feasible to salvage the original map but that it could be replicated with new protection. The Mill Valley Historical Society commissioned Mill Valley native and muralist Llewellyn Ludlow to create the replica that will live on for years to come.
The bright and beautiful new map, with fresh painted trim, was installed on November 15, 2024, with the date of the official dedication to come. In the meantime, appreciation is due to all the volunteers who have been key to keeping the map and its legacy alive, including, most recently, architect and former MVHS board member Jill Benton and current MVHS board member and Mill Valley Lumber Yard co-owner Matt Mathew!
Photo - (LR) Llewellyn Ludlow, Jill Benton, Matt Mathews
