New Book Tells The Story Of Pleasanton In The 50s

PLEASANTON, CA - As many people look toward 2023, a group of Pleasantonians are looking back to the 1950s. More than 50 resident volunteers are working to compile interviews with more than three dozen people who remember Pleasanton in the 1950s and 60s.

The anecdotes are being compiled into a new book called “Cruising Down Memory Lane: Stories of Pleasanton in the 50’s,” which can be pre-ordered by emailing Towne Center Books at orders@townecenterbooks.com. The book contains interviews with some of Pleasanton’s most colorful characters, including Tom Orloff, the son of a dairyman who became Alameda County District Attorney; Francine King Rivers, a New York Times bestselling author who grew up on Chicken Alley; long-time Police Chief Walt McCloud; Rich Guasco, a world renowned drag-racing champion, and Petty Walker Cleveland, the stepdaughter of the editor and publisher of The Pleasanton Times.

“The book highlights so much of what’s made Pleasanton a wonderful town,” Donna Kamp McMillion, a fourth-generation Pleasantonian who conceived of the project in 2021, said in a news release. “It’s important to capture and share these stories - especially as we begin to celebrate Amador Valley High School’s centennial year. It’s been a project from the heart for more than 50 volunteers who are working to bring the book to life.”

Proceeds from the book will go toward a fund to support Amador Valley High School’s AV/Journalism program. The “Stories from Pleasanton’s Past: Powering the Future” fund, which is hosted by McMillion and the Three Valleys Community Foundation, aims to support the school’s acclaimed journalism program. Its first project is to restart the print edition of The Amadon, the school paper since the 1930s that stopped printing during the pandemic. The fund also aims to support critical multimedia and audiovisual production upgrades, and grow the program.

“We are delighted to provide fiscal oversight and sponsorship for this important cause,” said Kelly Bowers, CEO/President of Three Valleys Community Foundation who retired as superintendent of LVJUSD in the spring.

“Both proceeds from the book sales as well as direct donations from local residents will create an opportunity to provide funds for an even stronger journalism program. As a former English and Journalism teacher, I understand the inherent value and importance of creating critical thinkers with research and reporting skills as well as digital literacy. We are thrilled to support this worthwhile project via a fund that captures Pleasanton's unique history through storytelling while empowering and activating the voices of our next generation.”

“Almost all of the interviewees attended Amador in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and they had great stories about their high school years and their wonderful teachers,” said McMillion. “They recognized how important it is for every generation to preserve family memories. The 3VCF fund will enable more than 120 students in Wendy Connelly’s outstanding journalism program to capture and relate the stories of their own generation.”

More information on the fund can be found at 3vcf.org. Online donations can be made here.