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Downtown Pleasanton 150 years ago was by no means the same as it looks during a stroll down Main Street in the 21st century.
But even so, remnants of the small-town life and local culture are still seen in the historic monuments and buildings scattered throughout the corridor today.
“History is so much more than dates and facts; it is about the people who have come before us and shaped our communities — their struggles, their triumphs and their legacies,” said Sarah Schaefer, Museum on Main’s education director. “That community can be as expansive as the world or as local as your city, neighborhood or family.”
“By learning about Pleasanton’s history and historic buildings, people can gain a sense of place, which can add depth to everyday experiences. They can also gain a better understanding of why Pleasanton is such a unique Bay Area community,” Schaefer added.
For a glimpse at how downtown Pleasanton has evolved over the last 150 years, visit the Museum on Main and check out historic artifacts, documents and photographs on display there in a “Then and Now” exhibit.
Or better yet, take a walk through downtown yourself to see these historic buildings and monuments in real life. You can grab a walking-tour pamphlet at the museum or wait for a guided tour with a trusty, knowledgeable museum docent guide to show you around.
Check out our full photo display here or on the Pleasanton Weekly Facebook page.
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One of California’s last gateway signs, the Pleasanton Arch has served as an entry to Pleasanton since it was constructed in 1932. Shown here in the 1960s (on a postcard used for decades) and last month, the Arch also features a double set of horns and lights on top that were added in 1935 to alert the police department, during a time when there weren’t radios or walkie talkies. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
The arrival of the first train in Pleasanton in 1869 brought Pleasanton more commerce and prosperity. The train was used for carrying passengers and freight, and in 1901, was used to ship out around 400,000 pounds of hops (some of which was used by Guinness in Ireland to make beer) and 59 million pounds of sugar beets. In 1882, a loose team of horses ran rampant through downtown Pleasanton and demolished the bridge across the creek near the station. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Now the home of Home Care Assistance, the First National Bank of Pleasanton was constructed in 1910 and actually issued banknotes for a short time. Not too long after this photograph was taken, the bank was notably robbed of $9,000 in 1926; the robbers were never caught. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Originally the Presbyterian Church and now home to Lighthouse Baptist Church, the church at 118 Neal St. was first constructed in 1874. A small creek used to run along Neal, and the church had a bridge for people to cross it. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Built in 1914 on land donated by the Women’s Improvement Club, this building was once Pleasanton’s city hall, police department, public library and council chambers all in one. In 1984, it became the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Museum, now known as the Museum on Main. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Nevis Pavilion, now the site of Alberto’s Cantina, was once Pleasanton’s main hotspot for entertainment and social gathering. Before the advent of movies and theaters, parties and dances were held there, traveling theater troupes stopped by, musical performances graced the large hall and stage and more. It was demolished in 1942. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
The original hardware store in this location, the Pinkley Tin Store, was constructed in 1869 and sometime between 1899 and 1902, the Kolln Building was built in its place after Pinkley Tin Store moved locations. From 1931-2005, the building was the site of the Kolln Hardware Store. It is now anchored by Comerica Bank. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
George Johnston, a wealthy farmer and rancher, built this Romanesque style building in 1896. It was first used as a mercantile store and is now anchored by Bay Commercial Bank. The metal hitching posts next to the building, characteristic of the time period, were used to tether horses as they drank from water troughs in designated areas in the middle of the street. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
The Arnedt building at the corner of Main and Neal streets, seen here circa 1900, is now anchored by Old Republic Title Co. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Now Valley Plumbing, this building on Rose Avenue, constructed in 1903, was once the home of Fiorio’s Market — one of the last “mom and pop” grocery stores in Pleasanton. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
You might need a nap after trying to figure out downtown’s hotel name history. The original “Pleasanton Hotel” was built in 1863 at 530 Main St.; in 1880, it was renamed the “Rose Hotel” but later torn down in 1955. When the “Pleasanton Hotel” name became available in the 1880s, the Germania Hotel became the new “Pleasanton Hotel,” until it was demolished to make room for the gas station. Shown is the building that currently has the name “Pleasanton Hotel” — originally the “Farmers’ Hotel,” seen here pre-1898. It is now the home of an upstairs office and Handles Gastropub downstairs. Downtown’s only still-operating hotel is the more recently constructed “Rose Hotel” (which to clarify, isn’t the same “Rose Hotel” as the original “Pleasanton Hotel”). Got it? (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Kottinger Barn on Ray Street, the oldest downtown building that is still standing and one of the few remaining adobe structures in the area, was constructed in 1852. It was first used as a barn and Pleasanton’s first jail house; then a junkyard, then a store and now is just used for storage. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Constructed in 1910, this building originally housed a nickelodeon called the Gem Theater, which was renamed the Lincoln in 1917, moved up the street in 1928 and later became the Roxy. The building then became an auto garage and then Al Johnson’s Pool House, which was eventually sold and renamed Pastime Pool (shown here in the 1970s). The building was recently torn down and the new Starbucks complex opened in its place in 2015. (2017 photo by Daniel Kim. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main) -
Main Street has hosted hundreds of parades over the past century-plus. Horses, once commonplace like in this early 1900s photo, returned to Main Street with steers en masse during a throwback cattle drive to open the 2017 Alameda County Fair on June 16. (Photo by Mike Sedlak. Historic photo courtesy of Museum on Main).
Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing!
Wish we could see more things like this in the PW! Good stuff!
With the parklet joining the bike rack at Angela and Main, downtown is becoming a place for people and not just a parking lot. Pleasanton is showing wonderful improvements as a hometown, not just a town.
Thank you so much for this wonderful look at then and now in our downtown which we all love. It is one of the unique features of Pleasanton that drew me to move here 43 years ago.