Images of America - Rodeo

Rodeo, located on the east shore of San Pablo Bay, was envisioned as the meatpacking center of the West when it was established by the Union Stockyard Company in 1890. That vision failed, but the town continued attracting residents for jobs at the nearby Hercules powder works, Selby smelter, and Oleum refinery. By the 1940s, a war-based industrial buildup made Rodeo's population surge, and this was followed by a postwar boom in housing and retail construction. During these prosperous years, Rodeo was a regional hub for fishing and boating. Times have changed, but the images in these pages recall Rodeo's early years�the marina, businesses and homes, schools, civic officials, and local industry, as well as the town's celebrations, such as the Holy Ghost and Aquatic Festivals.

Author Jennifer Dowling, a lifetime member of the Contra Costa County Historical Society, grew up in Rodeo. She is coauthor of a previous book, Theatres of Oakland, which focused on motion-picture exhibition. In this volume featuring more than 225 vintage photographs, Dowling honors the people who built Rodeo. Taken primarily from the collections of longtime residents, the images also include rare early photographs of the Union Oil and Warren Brothers refineries.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.

The book is a new, trade paperback, published in 2005 by Arcadia Publishing. It measures 9" x 6" and weighs 0.65 pounds