Have you ever wondered at the origins of your own street name - perhaps those of your neighborhood or town? Contra Costa County is small in area but once played a huge role in the struggle to settle the West. The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers along with the wild and dangerous delta made this county the crossroads of California. The heritage of many peoples and many events are echoed in Contra Costa
County place names. As new settlers and adventurers invaded the land of the first Americans, place names also changed. Old place names disappear or become historical "ghosts" recalling people and events that have faded from our popular memories.

Indian wars, Spanish conquistadors, scalp collectors and grizzly hunters are found within the pages of this book written by noted Bay Area historian William Mero. Bloody range wars, infamous brothels and even a drunken pig are only remembered as names on dusty maps. You live where Spanish dons, outlaws, swindlers, mining barons, cattle and wheat kings have risen and fallen. All have become part of the many stories behind our local place names, past and present.

Before the discovery of the oil and gas in the Central Valley, Contra Costa was the energy capital of California. A time remembered today only by the names of its coal kings and scattered ghost towns. This county's silver and copper rush and its redwood logging boom are long past, but for those who know the County' history, their presence still lives on in the names of hills and now silent canyons.

After both scoundrels and heroes are gone, only their names remain on the land, fading and fleeting like shadows on the hills.

The book is a new trade paperback with illustrated wrappers published in 2011 by Liberty Quill Publishing in Concord, CA. It contains 252 pages well illustrated with historical B&W maps and drawings. It measures 8.5" x 5.875" and weighs 0.8 pounds.