Long before he became the great Union general of the American
Civil War, Sherman spent a decade in Northern California. After an
arduous trip around the Cape Horn, he arrived as a U.S. Army
 lieutenant in Monterey in January 1847.
Q: Did William Tecumseh Sherman visit San Juan Bautista?
A: Long before he became the great Union general of the American Civil War, Sherman spent a decade in Northern California. After an arduous trip around the Cape Horn, he arrived as a U.S. Army lieutenant in Monterey in January 1847. In his memoirs, Sherman described his adventures exploring California with travel companion Lt. Edward Otho Cresap Ord (for whom Fort Ord by Monterey Bay was named in 1917). One morning soon after their arrival in Monterey, the men rode by horseback over the Gabilan Mountains along a bridle-path to the mission of San Juan Bautista.
“The mission was in a beautiful valley, very level, and bounded on all sides by hills,” he wrote. “The plain was covered with wild-grasses and mustard, and had abundant water. Cattle and horses were seen in all directions, and it was manifest that the priests who first occupied the country were good judges of land. It was Sunday, and all the people, about a hundred, had come to church from the country round about. Ord was somewhat of a Catholic, and entered the church with his clanking spurs and kneeled down, attracting the attention of all, for he had on the uniform of an American officer. As soon as church was out, all rushed to the various sports. I saw the priest, with his gray robes tucked up, playing at billiards, others were cock-fighting, and some at horse-racing.”
Sherman’s horse was lame, and he went shopping for a new one at the mission.
“As soon as it was known that I wanted a horse,” he wrote, “several came for me, and displayed their horses by dashing past and hauling them up short. There was a fine black stallion that attracted my notice, and, after trying him myself, I concluded a purchase. I left with the seller my own lame horse, which he was to bring to me at Monterey, when I was to pay him $10 for the other. The Mission of San Juan bore the marks of high prosperity at a former period, and had a good pear-orchard just under the plateau where stood the church. ”
Sherman played an important role in the Gold Rush by supplying confirmation about the gold fields to President Polk. His reports helped generate excitement among Americans to journey west in a quest for the precious metal. He resigned from the Army in 1853 to settle in Northern California. In San Francisco, he served as president for a bank. That business failed in the Panic of 1857 and Sherman left California to practice law in Leavensworth, Kan. On May 14, 1861, he accepted a commission as a colonel in the 13th U.S. Infantry regiment and began his ride of fame into U.S. history. Historians consider him “the first modern general.”
Q: How did Gilroy’s I.O.O.F. Avenue get its unusual name?
A: I.O.O.F. stands for International Order of Odd Fellows, a social fraternity that does work to benefit local communities throughout the world. It’s society for women is the United Rebekah’s Lodge.
In 1868, a woman named Caroline Hoxett moved with her husband Thomas Hoxett from Massachusetts to Gilroy. The couple started a bakery in the town which proved to be a profitable venture. Caroline joined the local Rebekah’s lodge and over time rose in ranks to serve in the 1890s as the president of the California Rebekah Assembly.
The organization started a project to build an orphanage in the state of California and they looked for a location suitable for the home. Caroline passionately pushed Gilroy as the site because of “its fresh air, sunshine, and good schools.” She even offered to donate the land and money necessary for construction. Caroline’s lobbying thus brought the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Children’s Home of California to Gilroy. The street on which it’s located is thus called I.O.O.F Avenue to honor the organization that built the orphanage.
Today, the building Caroline Hoxett constructed at 290 I.O.O.F Avenue still functions to help South County kids as the Rebekah Childrens Services headquarters.
Q: Is El Toro a volcano?
A: Despite local speculation about its conical shape, Morgan Hill’s premiere mountain peak is not a volcano. According to engineering geologist Peter Anderson, the rock that forms El Toro was originally created far under the ocean in volcanic eruptions more than 100 million years ago. Moving at a gradual rate over the span of eons, the Pacific Plate transported the rock northeast from somewhere just south of the equator to where the South Valley is now.
The bulk mass of El Toro is altered volcanic rock, Anderson said. But what gives the landmark mountain its characteristic peak has nothing to do with volcanism. During its long transit from the Pacific, the volcanic rock became mixed with limestone of the same era. After the extensive period of mountain building which formed the Santa Cruz Mountains – a process which is still going on – erosion has taken its toll on El Toro. The limestone at the top of the mountain is more resistant to erosion than the altered volcanic rock layers below. Thus the limestone situated at the summit of El Toro serves much like a “cap,” Anderson said, shielding the underlying rock from erosion.
In a million or so years, the limestone cap will be eroded by natural elements such as wind and rain, thus exposing the underlying volcanic rock. El Toro will thus lose its volcano-like appearance.
By the way, depending on the weather, the Morgan Hill Historical Society is hosting its spring “Hike Up El Toro” on April 21 so that local citizens can enjoy the view of the South Valley from the top. Guided free hikes leave from the Morgan Hill City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave. (corner of Main and Peak avenues) at 7:45am and 9:45am The society’s Web site recommends: “You should arrive 15 minutes earlier for both hikes. This is a moderate to difficult hike to the top. Please bring gloves, wear sturdy shoes and bring your water bottle!”
