Come join us at Old St. Mary’s Chapel in Rocklin for our Speaker Series on California and the Civil War, a multimedia show created by Grass Valley author Richard Hurley, whose book on the topic has just been published by The History Press

Through fine art, maps, and photos, the show traces the political and military history of the Golden State and reveals how close California came to siding with the South in 1861. Featured are stories of men of honor like General Albert Sidney Johnston, a Southern sympathizer whose refusal to betray his officer’s oath spared California from partisan war – and San Francisco’s gifted orator, the Reverend Thomas Starr King, whom Abraham Lincoln dubbed “the man who saved California for the Union.” The show also depicts the exploits of daring Rebel partisans determined to act for the Confederacy in California, both by land and by sea.

Old Town Rocklin Tree Lighting co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Rocklin and the City of Rocklin. An ALL FREE event for the children of the community held in December on Front Street in Rocklin’s Historical District. A fun filled evening, opening procession at 4:30 p.m. with bounce houses, wagon and train rides, face painting, crafts, selfies with Santa, hotdogs, chili, popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate, caroling, costumed characters, performances by local musical groups, and the lighting of the Rocklin Holiday Tree 7:00 p.m. The Tree Lighting Committee is composed of members of service clubs, businesses, schools, churches, and charitable organizations including for example, Kiwanis, Rotary, Crossroads Church, Rocklin Historical Society and Rocklin Residents United for Fido (RRUFF). The informal event is supported primarily by in-kind products and funds donated by businesses and solicited by the committee members. City Public Services assists with street closures, logistics, and promotion. Kiwanis of Rocklin Foundation maintains accounting of Old Town Rocklin Tree Lighting funds, receives charitable donations, holds and disperses funds as required.