About The Sausalito Historical Society
The Sausalito Historical Society collects and preserves art, artifacts, photographs and printed materials that document Sausalito’s history; provides access to the collection for public and academic research; and develops publications and outreach programs to inspire local interest in Sausalito’s history to educate the visiting public and enrich the community.
The Sausalito Historical Society is looking for your Sausalito photos of bygone days. We would like to preserve and add to our online collection memories of the past. Please contact the Historical Society if you would like to share you photos.
Water Equals Prosperity in Sausalito
By Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society
Water literally put Sausalito on the map. The town’s name derives from the Spanish term Saucelito, or little willow. Groves of willow trees were a sign of pure spring water that attracted sailing vessels here as early as the 18th century. But by the 20th century, Sausalito had outgrown its domestic water supply, so the town issued $100,000 in bonds and contracted for a water distributing system using “healthy and pure Lagunitas water,” according to the Sausalito News.
In its July 3, 1909, issue, the paper pointed out that “Scarcity of water has been the greatest drawback to the advancement of Sausalito,” then proudly declared:
“In less than a month from today Sausalito can truthfully and conscientiously say to the world ‘We have at last cast off the heavy yoke of water famine and we Invite you to make your home in the most picturesque and sanitary place in the world, only a stone's throw from the future metropolis of the world. We have installed our own Municipal Water Distributing System." The News predicted that the new system would be operational by August.
And sure enough, one month later the paper giddily announced a water carnival to celebrate the new system:
“The business houses are decorated and the town presents a gay appearance. For the reception of guests Sea Point Parlor will maintain headquarters at Eagles' Hall, the ladies' committee at the town hall and the Ross, the firemen at the fire house and Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Foresters at Lowder's Hall. In the evening a dance will be held in Eagles' hall. A special boat will be run to San Francisco at 12:45.
3 Exhibit Spaces Feature Historical Displays our History
Phil Frank Exhibit
Exhibit Spaces maintained by the Society feature in depth displays about Sausalito history and include:
The Phil Frank History Research Room
The Downtown Ice House Historical Exhibit
The Historic World War II Marinship Exhibit at the Bay Model.
See below for hours for each location
SHS Board of Directors:
Stanford Hughes, President
Michael Wiener, Vice President
Sharon Seymour, Secretary
Peter Bowes, Treasurer
Roberta Maloy
Nick Roby
John Cox
Lauri Flynn
Rip Hunter
Alice Merrill
Brit Thurston
Adrian Brinton
Jerry Taylor, President Emeritus
We are always looking for people who want to be involved with the History of Sausalito and its residents new and old. If you would like to join us, please contact us at the addresses below.
How to Reach the Sausalito Historical Society:
We’re happy to announce that the Sausalito Historical Society Exhibit and Research Room will re-open on Monday, August 2 to the public. Our hours will be Monday, 10-5 and Wednesday 10-1. A docent will be available to help you with your research request. City Hall is asking everyone to wear a mask in the building. For now, we will not be open on Saturday mornings as in the past because City Hall is not open on Saturday yet, so will be open on Mondays instead.
Sausalito City Hall
Sausalito Historical Society
The Phil Frank History Research Room
420 Litho Street, Sausalito, CA, 94965
-Mondays from 10 am -1 pm
-Wednesdays from 10 am -1 pm
-2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 12-3 pm
P.O. Box 352, Sausalito, CA 94966
415 289-4117
Sausalito Ice House Visitors Center & Museum
Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
780 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA 94965
415-289-4117
The Historic World War II Marinship Exhibit at the Bay Model
Open when the Bay Model is open
https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center/
Search this Web Site for Information about Sausalito's History:
Additional information about specific Sausalito Historical Society’s Digitized Collections are available in the Museum Online Catalog
The California Digital Newspaper Collection contains over 500,000 digitited issues of California newspapers and is an excellent resource for more information about the history of Southern Marin County and Sausalito.
The Sausalito Historical Society is a 501(c)3 organization Tax ID # 94-277123