Terra Linda, San Rafael, California
Encyclopedia
Terra Linda is a former unincorporated community
incorporated in San Rafael
in Marin County
, California
. It lies at an elevation of 171 feet (52 m).
Terra Linda is a residential and light commercial/office community is located in the Las Gallinas Valley
area of Marin County, approximately 14 miles (23 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge
.
Mexican land grant. The ranch was originally operated as a dairy farm. The site of the ranch house and buildings is now the site of St. Isabella's Catholic Church and School.
Most of Terra Linda was built after World War II
and was largely completed by 1970. Terra Linda is located in North San Rafael and shares Zip Code
94903 with Santa Venetia, Marinwood, and Lucas Valley
. The Terra Linda post office was established in 1961. About 900 homes in Terra Linda were built by Joseph Eichler
from 1955 to 1965. The distinctive architectural style of Eichler homes provides an historic element. Terra Linda's main streets are Las Gallinas, Freitas Parkway, and Redwood Highway. Its population is about 10,000.
Early Terra Linda residents formed a Community Services District, and Recreation & Parks District, under the direct authority of the Marin County government. These entities built the public infrastructure that stands today. In the early 1970s, citizens voted to annex these entities to the City of San Rafael.
The valley's main arteries, Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Del Ganado Road, follow Santa Margarita creek, whose bed was cemented over in the early 1960s and turned into a storm trough when the area was developed. Freitas Parkway was originally designed to have three lanes (it currently just has two) each way to go over the ridge into the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood of San Anselmo. This design was never finished after Marin County Open Space bought the land on the ridge. Plans are being made to restore the creek to its original state and redesign Freitas Parkway to accommodate the creek. Costs to restore the creek are estimated at $20 million.
). Montessori operates in Christ Presbyterian Church facilities.
Terra Linda's Marindale School, a school for physically challenged children, was a famous pioneer from the 1950s forward in providing a combination of specialized and mainstream education for its students, who became members of the co-located Santa Margarita School classes for a part of each day.
, which predates the community. Its "students" and trainers can be seen walking Terra Linda and San Rafael streets each day.
The Mall at Northgate is the only enclosed mall in Marin County. Two anchor tenants dating from its original open-air design were the Emporium, now Macy's
, and Sears
. There is also a Kohl's
(previously Mervyn's) and a 15-screen theater complex, which was once a single-screen theater in another part of the mall. Sears is the only original tenant; the Kohl's [former Mervyn's] is new construction since the mall's enclosure, and Macy's was the Emporium before the enclosure. The original theater was located a half-dozen storefronts north of its present location. Since 2008, the mall underwent an extensive remodeling and modernization.
Kaiser Hospital and clinic, a major facility in the Kaiser Permanente
network, and one of the major full-service hospitals in the North Bay area, sits on the hill on the south side of Terra Linda.
Nearby on the opposite side of U.S. Highway 101 is the landmark Marin County Civic Center
building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
.
. The duo was subsequently arrested on June 28 after Marlene gave police conflicting and confusing accounts of her missing parents' whereabouts, while Chuck Riley, also brought in by the police for questioning, subsequently confessed to the murders. In late 1975, after a seven-week trial, Chuck, tried as an adult, was found guilty of bludgeoning Naomi Olive to death with a hammer, then shooting James Olive at close range as he arrived home and discovered the body of his mortally wounded wife. Riley was sentenced to death, which was commuted to life in prison when the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in 1978. Marlene, after a short hearing in Marin County juvenile court, was ordered to serve three years at Ventura School, the California Youth Authority’s facility north of Los Angeles. The crime, ensuing trial, and aftermath are the subject of Richard M. Levine's 1982 book, Bad Blood: A Family Murder in Marin County.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
incorporated in San Rafael
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
in Marin County
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It lies at an elevation of 171 feet (52 m).
Terra Linda is a residential and light commercial/office community is located in the Las Gallinas Valley
Las Gallinas Valley
Las Gallinas Valley or Gallinas Valley is a geographical valley landform of Marin County, California, USA formed by Miller Creek. It is also the name of a major planning area of Marin County....
area of Marin County, approximately 14 miles (23 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
.
History
Terra Linda is located on what was formerly the property of the Manuel T. Freitas family, immigrant Portuguese owners of part of the Rancho San Pedro, Santa Margarita y Las GallinasRancho San Pedro, Santa Margarita y Las Gallinas
Rancho San Pedro, Santa Margarita y Las Gallinas was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1844 by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Timothy Murphy . Las Gallinas means "the hens" in Spanish...
Mexican land grant. The ranch was originally operated as a dairy farm. The site of the ranch house and buildings is now the site of St. Isabella's Catholic Church and School.
Most of Terra Linda was built after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was largely completed by 1970. Terra Linda is located in North San Rafael and shares Zip Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
94903 with Santa Venetia, Marinwood, and Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, drained by Nicasio Creek.Lucas Valley Road traverses the length of the valley, linking it to Gallinas Valley to the east and Nicasio Valley to the west...
. The Terra Linda post office was established in 1961. About 900 homes in Terra Linda were built by Joseph Eichler
Joseph Eichler
Joseph Eichler was a 20th century post-war U.S. American real estate developer known for developing distinctive residential subdivisions of Mid-Century modern style Tract housing in California, United States. He was one of the influential advocates of bringing modern architecture from custom...
from 1955 to 1965. The distinctive architectural style of Eichler homes provides an historic element. Terra Linda's main streets are Las Gallinas, Freitas Parkway, and Redwood Highway. Its population is about 10,000.
Early Terra Linda residents formed a Community Services District, and Recreation & Parks District, under the direct authority of the Marin County government. These entities built the public infrastructure that stands today. In the early 1970s, citizens voted to annex these entities to the City of San Rafael.
The valley's main arteries, Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Del Ganado Road, follow Santa Margarita creek, whose bed was cemented over in the early 1960s and turned into a storm trough when the area was developed. Freitas Parkway was originally designed to have three lanes (it currently just has two) each way to go over the ridge into the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood of San Anselmo. This design was never finished after Marin County Open Space bought the land on the ridge. Plans are being made to restore the creek to its original state and redesign Freitas Parkway to accommodate the creek. Costs to restore the creek are estimated at $20 million.
Schools
Schools in the Terra Linda area include the Dixie School District (Dixie Elementary School, Mary Silveira Elementary School, Vallecito Elementary School, and Miller Creek Middle School), Terra Linda High School (2010 NCS 2A Rewood Empire Wrestling Champions and rival of San Rafael High School: both are in the San Rafael City High School District), and a number of private schools including St. Isabella’s Parish School (a Catholic K-8 school which in the Archdiocese of San Francisco), and St. Marks private school. St. Marks was previously known as Don Timoteo Elementary School, named after Don Timoteo Murphy, who built the first house in San Rafael. He was one of the first residents of Marin County and owned a large amount of land in the area. He also managed the property of (Mission San Rafael ArcángelMission San Rafael Arcángel
Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded in 1817 as a medical asistencia of the Mission San Francisco de Asís as a hospital to treat sick Native Americans of the Bay Area, making it Alta California's first sanitarium. The weather was much better in the North Bay than in San Francisco, and helped...
). Montessori operates in Christ Presbyterian Church facilities.
Terra Linda's Marindale School, a school for physically challenged children, was a famous pioneer from the 1950s forward in providing a combination of specialized and mainstream education for its students, who became members of the co-located Santa Margarita School classes for a part of each day.
Other Facilities
At the edge of Terra Linda sits the world-famous Guide Dogs for the BlindGuide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind is a guide dog school located in the United States, with campuses in San Rafael, California, and Boring, Oregon. It was founded in 1942 to help veterans who had been blinded in World War II.- History :...
, which predates the community. Its "students" and trainers can be seen walking Terra Linda and San Rafael streets each day.
The Mall at Northgate is the only enclosed mall in Marin County. Two anchor tenants dating from its original open-air design were the Emporium, now Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
. There is also a Kohl's
Kohl's
Kohl's Corporation is an American department store chain headquartered in the Milwaukee suburb of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, operating , 1,089 stores in 49 states. In 1998, it entered the S&P 500 list, and is also listed in the Fortune 500...
(previously Mervyn's) and a 15-screen theater complex, which was once a single-screen theater in another part of the mall. Sears is the only original tenant; the Kohl's [former Mervyn's] is new construction since the mall's enclosure, and Macy's was the Emporium before the enclosure. The original theater was located a half-dozen storefronts north of its present location. Since 2008, the mall underwent an extensive remodeling and modernization.
Kaiser Hospital and clinic, a major facility in the Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield...
network, and one of the major full-service hospitals in the North Bay area, sits on the hill on the south side of Terra Linda.
Nearby on the opposite side of U.S. Highway 101 is the landmark Marin County Civic Center
Marin County Civic Center
Marin County Civic Center, the last commission by Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in San Rafael, California. Groundbreaking for the Civic Center Administration Building took place in 1960, after Wright's death and under the watch of Wright's protégé, Aaron Green, and was completed in 1962. The...
building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
.
Notoriety
In 1975, Terra Linda was the site of a notorious murder case, subsequently dubbed the "Barbecue Murders" or "BBQ Murders" by the local and national press. On the afternoon of June 21, 1975, 16-year-old Marlene Olive and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Charles "Chuck" Riley, murdered Marlene's adoptive parents, James and Naomi Olive, in the Olive residence on Hibiscus Way. The two then burned the bodies in a firepit at nearby China Camp State ParkChina Camp State Park
China Camp State Park is a state park of California, USA, surrounding a historic Chinese American shrimp-fishing village and a salt marsh. The park is located in San Rafael, California, on the shore of San Pablo Bay. It is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic views, and open...
. The duo was subsequently arrested on June 28 after Marlene gave police conflicting and confusing accounts of her missing parents' whereabouts, while Chuck Riley, also brought in by the police for questioning, subsequently confessed to the murders. In late 1975, after a seven-week trial, Chuck, tried as an adult, was found guilty of bludgeoning Naomi Olive to death with a hammer, then shooting James Olive at close range as he arrived home and discovered the body of his mortally wounded wife. Riley was sentenced to death, which was commuted to life in prison when the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in 1978. Marlene, after a short hearing in Marin County juvenile court, was ordered to serve three years at Ventura School, the California Youth Authority’s facility north of Los Angeles. The crime, ensuing trial, and aftermath are the subject of Richard M. Levine's 1982 book, Bad Blood: A Family Murder in Marin County.
Notable residents
- Joseph AlessiJoseph AlessiJoseph Alessi is a world-renowned, primarily classical, trombonist; he is the current Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and an active soloist, teacher/clinician and recording artist. Alessi is considered the finest player in modern times....
, a 1977 graduate of Terra Linda High SchoolTerra Linda High SchoolTerra Linda High School is a public secondary school located in Terra Linda, San Rafael, California, United States...
and a Juilliard trained trombonist, Principal Trombone of the New York PhilharmonicNew York PhilharmonicThe New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
with a number of accomplishments and recordings. - Alvah BessieAlvah BessieAlvah Cecil Bessie was an American novelist, journalist and screenwriter who was imprisoned for ten months and blacklisted by the movie studio bosses for being one of the group known as the Hollywood Ten.-Life and career:...
, noted Hollywood screenwriter and author blacklisted during the McCarthy era, died in Terra Linda in 1985. - Multi-Gold Medal U.S. Olympic swimmer Ann CurtisAnn CurtisAnn Curtis is a former competitive swimmer and Olympic Gold Medal winner for the United States. She was coached by Charlie Sava and was a member of the San Francisco Crystal Plunge team. Curtis participated in London’s 1948 Olympic Games winning the gold medal in the 400 m freestyle...
Cuneo operated the private "Ann CurtisAnn CurtisAnn Curtis is a former competitive swimmer and Olympic Gold Medal winner for the United States. She was coached by Charlie Sava and was a member of the San Francisco Crystal Plunge team. Curtis participated in London’s 1948 Olympic Games winning the gold medal in the 400 m freestyle...
Swim Club" and swim team in Terra Linda for 20 years. - Mountain biker Susan DeMatteiSusan DeMatteiSusan DeMattei is a professional mountain biker who won the Bronze Medal in Mountain Biking at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia....
, who won the Bronze Medal in Mountain Biking at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, was born and raised in nearby San Rafael. - Swimmer Rick DeMontRick DeMontRick DeMont is an American former swimmer who set a record for the 1500m freestyle. A graduate in 1973 of Terra Linda High School, he was a member of the US Olympic team and competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany where he won a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle...
, gold medal winner at the 1972 Olympics that was revoked when the U.S. Olympic Committee failed to notify the IOC that Rick was taking asthma medicine that caused ephedrine to show up in a drug test. He attended Terra Linda High School and graduated in 1973. - James HetfieldJames HetfieldJames Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
, vocalist and rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist of the thrash metalThrash metalThrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, recently moved to Terra Linda after residing for years in nearby NovatoNovato, CaliforniaNovato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
. - Bill LeeBill Lee (left-handed pitcher)William Francis Lee III , nicknamed "Spaceman", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox from - and the Montreal Expos from -...
, MLB pitcher with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, graduated from Terra Linda High School in 1964.