Photo Caption above: This shows downtown Larkspur in 1910, the year after the fire. Looking north, the hill off in the distance is where the tallest building in Marin would be built in the late 1960's, the Tamalpais Retirement Home.
Note: Baltimore Canyon is also known as Madrone Canyon, or Baltimore/Madrone Canyon. It was and has continued to be a heavily forested canyon on the eastern slopes of Mount Tamalpais.
Note: Baltimore Canyon is also known as Madrone Canyon, or Baltimore/Madrone Canyon. It was and has continued to be a heavily forested canyon on the eastern slopes of Mount Tamalpais.
"LARKSPUR IN DANGER FROM RAGING FIRE
San Francisco Call, Volume 106, Number 43, 13 July 1909 pgs.1-20
Battle With Great Blaze Laying Waste Mount Tamalpais Slopes
Desperate Work of Volunteers Succeeds in Bringing Flames Under Control
LARKSPUR, July 12 -
A forest fire whlch has threatened all day to lay the sides of Mount Tamalpais in blackened waste and has caused much apprehension for the safety of Larkspur, burning In Baltimore Canyon at the foot of the mountain. One hundred firefighters are endeavoring to check the progress of flames by back fires. The fire is still burning along the ridge back of the town, but the firemen say that it is practically under control, provided there is no wind tonight. The blaze has left an ashen trail from the valley bottom to the ridge half a mile away.
Several fire fiighters were overcome from exhaustion and heat today, and two Chinese employees of William Kent, narrowly escaped death when they were caught between the fire and the blaze set by the fire fighters to stop the progress of the flames. Helpless and unable to escape, the Chinese were rescued by Arthur Larsen and two companions, who worked around the end of the backfire, and led them from the path of the crackling flames a few minutes before the two fires met.
CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the common belief is that it was due to the carelessness of campers. The fire was not discovered until 9 o'clock this morning, when Frank Murphy, the town marshal, happened to ride to the end of the canyon road, and from there observed the smoke rising further up the valley. Calls for help were sent broadcast, and soon Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Kentfield sent volunteers. The fire still gained, however, so another call was put in for help from the Mill Valley fire department, and 30 men under Fire Chief Stewart Barnes, responded. There was only a slight breeze and the advance of the flames was not rapid. While long lines of men beat down the grass blaze with brush and wet sacks, others attacked the woods with axes and built backfires to halt the fire.
KENT HOMESTEAD MENACED
During the forenoon the fire crept up the mountainside toward the Kent homestead. With desperate courage the firemen worked in the terrific heat and succeeded in staying the progress of tbe flames in that direction. Then with the afternoon the breeze veered and drove the red line toward Larkspur. Almost exhausted, with nothing to eat nor drink since morning, the tired men once again took up their battle. Backfires were built, but this time the wind was stronger and the flames jumped the intervening spaces and began to consume the dry grass and trees that offered ready tinder for the flames. Later in the afternoon, with the dying out of the wind, the flames were brought under control and apparently but little further damage will be done."
San Francisco Call, Volume 106, Number 43, 13 July 1909 pgs.1-20
Battle With Great Blaze Laying Waste Mount Tamalpais Slopes
Desperate Work of Volunteers Succeeds in Bringing Flames Under Control
LARKSPUR, July 12 -
A forest fire whlch has threatened all day to lay the sides of Mount Tamalpais in blackened waste and has caused much apprehension for the safety of Larkspur, burning In Baltimore Canyon at the foot of the mountain. One hundred firefighters are endeavoring to check the progress of flames by back fires. The fire is still burning along the ridge back of the town, but the firemen say that it is practically under control, provided there is no wind tonight. The blaze has left an ashen trail from the valley bottom to the ridge half a mile away.
Several fire fiighters were overcome from exhaustion and heat today, and two Chinese employees of William Kent, narrowly escaped death when they were caught between the fire and the blaze set by the fire fighters to stop the progress of the flames. Helpless and unable to escape, the Chinese were rescued by Arthur Larsen and two companions, who worked around the end of the backfire, and led them from the path of the crackling flames a few minutes before the two fires met.
CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the common belief is that it was due to the carelessness of campers. The fire was not discovered until 9 o'clock this morning, when Frank Murphy, the town marshal, happened to ride to the end of the canyon road, and from there observed the smoke rising further up the valley. Calls for help were sent broadcast, and soon Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Kentfield sent volunteers. The fire still gained, however, so another call was put in for help from the Mill Valley fire department, and 30 men under Fire Chief Stewart Barnes, responded. There was only a slight breeze and the advance of the flames was not rapid. While long lines of men beat down the grass blaze with brush and wet sacks, others attacked the woods with axes and built backfires to halt the fire.
KENT HOMESTEAD MENACED
During the forenoon the fire crept up the mountainside toward the Kent homestead. With desperate courage the firemen worked in the terrific heat and succeeded in staying the progress of tbe flames in that direction. Then with the afternoon the breeze veered and drove the red line toward Larkspur. Almost exhausted, with nothing to eat nor drink since morning, the tired men once again took up their battle. Backfires were built, but this time the wind was stronger and the flames jumped the intervening spaces and began to consume the dry grass and trees that offered ready tinder for the flames. Later in the afternoon, with the dying out of the wind, the flames were brought under control and apparently but little further damage will be done."
|
Editors Note:
The "Kent Homestead" threatened by this fire was the property of William Kent, a U.S. Congressman from 1911-1917. He and his wife Elizabeth Thatcher Kent donated the land that would become Muir Woods, declining an offer from President Teddy Roosevelt to name the national monument "Kent Woods" after them. In a letter to Roosevelt in 1908, Kent wrote "...I have five good, husky boys that I am trying to bring up to a knowledge of democracy and to a realizing sense of the rights of the 'other fellow,' doctrines which you, sir, have taught with more vigor and effect than any man in my time. If these boys cannot keep the name of Kent alive, I am willing it should be forgotten." Kent was born in Chicago on March 29, 1864, and passed away in Kentfield on March 13, 1928. In 1916, Kent was the lead sponsor of the legislation that created the National Park Service. His wife Elizabeth was an active supporter of environmental causes and women's rights. She was arrested while picketing the White House in 1917 in support of this cause. Kent was also heavily involved in Marin County politics. He was one of the major supporters of the start of the Marin Municipal Water District in 1911, and also backed early efforts for building a bridge over the Golden Gate. Part of this family's extensive land holdings would become Kentfield. While he was an active conservationist, Kent also promoted growth and development in Marin, including the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway, partially funded by his father, Albert Emmett Kent. Adaline E. Kent School in Kentfield is named after William's mother. He also supported the development of the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, to provide water for San Francisco, to the great disappointment of his friend John Muir. The Anne Thompson Kent California Room collection at the Marin County Free Library is connected, named after William and Elizabeth's daughter-in-law, a major contributor to the collection. You can learn more about this fascinating family at Wikipedia by clicking below, or by visiting the Anne T. Kent California Room at the Marin County Civic Center, Marin Free Library, on the 4th Floor. |
John Muir on the left, and Congressman William Kent pictured in 1912.
William Kent family portrait in 1912, photo courtesy Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, Marin County Free Library.
|
Original Article Below from the San Francisco Call
