CV History Researcher to Speak on Research Behind New Book

Local researcher Rick Kelly has been hard at work exploring Castro Valley’s history, and will speak to his process and the extensive research behind his new book on Saturday, June 24 at 1:00 PM. Registration for this online program is available at www.haywardareahistory.org and a recording will be available online at the Hayward Area Historical Society’s YouTube channel following the live presentation.

Over four years in the making, Rick Kelly’s new book details the evolution of Castro Valley from a Native American territory to a modern commuter suburb. Entitled Rancho to Ranch Homes: Mapping the Evolution of Castro Valley, Kelly’s book includes hundreds of photographs and maps, many of which have not been previously published.

Kelly painstakingly collected information from aerial photography, archival collections, and online databases to synthesize a thorough history of Castro Valley. He explores how Guillermo Castro came to own the land and how it was subdivided over and over again as agricultural practiced changed and eventually made way for modern suburban housing tracts.

The self-published account of Castro Valley’s development is available online on Amazon. Some local merchants may have copies available for purchase as well. For the most current information about the Hayward Area Historical Society’s upcoming programs, visit www.haywardareahistory.org or call (510) 581-0223.