The Loma Prietan
July/August 2003
A Brief History of the
Loma Prieta Chapter
1933 Loma Prieta Chapter founded by Frank Duveneck at Hidden Villa with 53 charter members. The Chapter is the 4th chapter founded in the Sierra Club.
1937 Renowned mountaineer Don M. Woods becomes charter member of mountaineering committee.
1939 Russell Varian, inventor of the Klystron tube, joins executive committee.
1946 Chapter Conservation Committee founded to seek "formation of a Butano State Park".
1948 First issue of the Loma Prietan published. Included first call to support the protection of Butano Forest from logging by Pacific Lumber Company.
1949 Chapter reaches 340 members.
1950s Chapter campaigns for establishment of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, expansion of Tamalpais State Park, establishment of Pt. Reyes Park, opposing dams in Grand Canyon and other locations.
1957 Chapter reaches 1000 members.
1959 Chapter members John Whitmore and Felix Knauth, members of the Rock Climbing section, participate in the first successful climb of El Capitan.
1959 Butano State Park is established.
1960s Chapter successfully works to protect Skyline Drive and forces Atomic Energy Commission to install underground power lines through Woodside to SLAC.
1961 Chapter members Jules Eichorn, Charles Sayler, and Jack Henry climb Mt. McKinley.
1967 Chapter leader Claire Dedrick establishes the Peninsula Conservation Center after being told by a construction crew manager "Why don't you get back to your kitchen and let me build this road?"
1967 Chapter begins fighting bay fill projects starting with Redwood Shores.
1970s Chapter successfully campaigns for establishment of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and protection of San Bruno Mountain.
1970s Ollie Mayer leads coastal protection campaigns. The Hiker's Hut is installed in Sam McDonald's Park.
1973 San Francisco Airport announces plans to expand runways
1980s
Secretary of the Interior James Watt attempts to revive oil leases off San Mateo coast. Chapter plays key role in its opposition with unprecedented number of letters against Lease Sale 53. Bair Island is saved.
1990s Chapter steps up efforts to protect SF Bay from SF Airport bay-fill runway plans and Coyote Valley from development. Chapter active in anti-sprawl efforts and supporting transit. Chapter exceeds 20,000 members.
1996 Measure T passed mandating a tunnel at Devil's Slide. Chapter instrumental in its passage with over 70% voter support.
2003 SFO
Airport stops efforts to expand runways. Santa Clara Valley Water
District drops proposals for dams which would impact Henry Coe State
Park.