Bull Dog Boxing Gym

This building stands near the corner of the McCray Street and Gibbs Drive. The sign says it is the Bulldog Boxing Gym.  According to an article in the Hollister Free Lance, the Bulldog Boxing Club has been around since the early 1990s.

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

Thanks so much for hanging out with me for as long as you've been coming by. It's been fun for me. Hope it has been for you, too.

No, no, this is not a good-bye. Just a note to let you know that because my work schedule is changing (for the better), I will eventually have less time for blogging.

So that means no more Tuesday in Hollister. Yes, I know how much some of you look forward to the feature. But, maybe later, I'll bring it back.

For a long time, I've been thinking about doing a daily photo post, or one every other day. . .or two. 

Hmmm, looks like I have a plan a brewing. Now, I make no promises as to how often or when I post.  I suggest you subscribe to my feed, if you haven't already. Otherwise, come by when you feel like it.  Okey-dokey.

Yours truly,

Su-sieee! Mac

Researching History

Let's say you have a question about local history, such as: What was life in Hollister like in 1937 when your grandparents were kids?  What businesses operated on San Benito Street 50 years ago? or Who founded the town of Hollister?

How and where do you begin researching your question?

Probably the best source in town for Hollister and San Benito County history is the research room at the San Benito County Historical Museum (also known as the Wapple House Museum) on Fifth Street, next to the county library.  How many guessed that was where the brown door lead to in this week's Tuesday in Hollister?

Take it from me, the research room holds a gold mine of facts and figures about local people, places, events, and other matters.  The last time I was there, I learned that:

• Jacob Watson was the first American to settle in Hollister in 1854
• in 1880, the population in Hollister was 1,181 and in 1960, it was 15,396
• in 1916-17, the principal county roads from Hollister were the Balsa (that's how it was spelled), Bird Creek Road, Fairview Road, San Juan Road, Santa Ana Road, and Tres Pinos Road.

Both the research room and museum are under the direction of the San Benito County Historical Society.  The research room holds a a collection of business directories, family histories, assessment rolls, property records, incarceration information, educational registrations, school year books, and local history books, among other resources. It also carries copies of the Hollister Free Lance and Hollister Advance from years past.

The research room is open to the public once a month—every second Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For a small fee, you can make an appointment to use the facility on another day. For more details, visit the historical society Web site and click on the "Research" tab. 

Sheila, Research Room Curator

Tuesday in Hollister: Where to Go for History?

If you want to learn about the history of Hollister or San Benito County, one of the doors you may want to enter is that brown one in the photo. Do you know where that building is? Do you know who holds the key to that door?

The photo to your right is your hint. This house belonged to Dr. George Wapple, one of the local pharmacists in the olden days. It was built in 1909. Until the 1990s, it was the residence of the Wapple family. The home now houses local history.

Be sure to come back on Thursday for the answers and a look at what's behind that brown door.

Coming Up in November 2010 in SBC

Yes, new "Take 25" visitors, you're at the right blog. SBC stands for San Benito County. Hollister, through which highway 25 leads to and from, is the county seat. Some may think that Hollister is the only city it the county, but that's not true. San Juan Bautista is the other city. And then there are the unincorporated communities of Aromas, Tres Pinos, Paicines, Ridgemark, Panoche, and Bitterwater.

Okey-doke. Now, here are some the events and activities taking place in November around SBC.

WEEKLY EVENTS
Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts 6:30 p.m. at the O'Reilly Hall (670 College Street).  You must be 18 years old to play.

Saturday mornings 

• Bike Ride with Off the Chain Bikes, 8 a.m.
• Book Sale, sponsored by Friends of the Library, from  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the San Benito County Free Library, 5th and West Streets. $2 per bag.

Sundays: Flea Market, Betabel Station and Outdoor Market, 9644 Betabel Road, San Juan Bautista. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more details, go to the market's Web site or its Facebook page.

MONTHLY EVENTS
November 5: Open Mic Night, San Benito County Free Library, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., according to the Hollister Macaroni Kid Web page. For up-to-date info, check out the Open Mic Nights Web page.

November 6: Living History Day, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 12:  Pedro Card Party, San Juan Bautista. Sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, it will be held at 203 Fourth Street from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.

November 13: San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
November 2:  Election Day!!!!!!  7 a.m to 8 p.m.  For elections info, go to the County of San Benito Clerk, Auditor, and Recorder: Registrar of Voters Web site.  For election results, click here.

November 5: 4th Annual Dinner-Dance Fundraiser, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation, San Juan Oaks Golf and Country Club, 6:30 p.m.

November 5 and 6: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, San Benito Stage Company, at the Granada Theater, Hollister. 7 p.m.  Check out  "Teens in Stage Company Production Learn 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' This Fall,"  by Melissa Flores, at The Weekend Pinnacle Online.

November 5, 6, and 7: Dia de Los Muertos, El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

• November 5: The Danza Azteca troupe Calpulli Itzpapalotl will perform a traditional blessing and dance in honor of the departed. 
• November 6, 7 p.m.): A community processional through the streets of San Juan Bautista featuring performances by La Banda Calavera and ETC’s own Teatro Eskeleto. 

November 6

• Barn Sale, hosted by the San Benito County Historical Society, at the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Women's Annual Harvest Bazaar, United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall at Monterey and Fifth Streets, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sneak Preview, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Emergency Room, 911 Sunset Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Craft Boutique, a fundraiser for the Rancho/Maze Band, at Rancho San Justo Gym, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Historias de Mi Madre IV (Histories of My Mother), Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy. 6 p.m. $10 donation suggested. This play is hosted by the Community Solutions, a nonprofit group that provides prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to San Benito County, South Santa Clara County, and South San Jose.

November 11: Veterans Day

• LULAC breakfast at San Benito High School cafeteria, 7 a.m.
• Veterans Benefits Fair, Veterans Memorial Building, 10 a.m.
• Veterans Day Ceremony, Veterans Memorial Building, 11:11 .m.
• BBQ, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242, noon
• Parade, Downtown Hollister. 1:30 p.m.

November 13

• Christmas Boutique, Sunnyslope Christian Center, 1520 Sunnyslope Road, Hollister, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• November 13, Toy Drive for Jacob's Heart, Betabel Station Outdoor Market, 9644 Betabel Road, San Juan Bautista , 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For info about the market, go to its Web site or its Facebook page.
• Benefit Dinner, sponsored by the Sacred Heart Foundation. For details about the event, go to the Hollister Macaroni Kid Web page.

November 14: 10th Annual YMCA Benefit Concert featuring the Pacific Brass Band, The First Presbyterian Church, 2066 San Benito Street, 2  p.m.  Tickets are $10, adults; $5, students and seniors.  Details about the concert can be found at the Hollister Macaroni Kid Web page.

November 20: Holiday Boutique, Cerra Vista School, 2151 Cerra Vista Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details about the concert can be found at the Hollister Macaroni Kid Web page.

November 26 to December 19: La Virgen del Tepeyac, El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

November 26: Black Friday! Click here to go to the Hollister Downtown Association Web site for a list of local shops and restaurants.

November 27: 20th Annual Lights on Celebration and Parade, Downtown Hollister, 5 to 8:30 p.m.