July 20, 2006

Local authors sell out at book signing for ‘Images of America: New Almaden’

Second signing at Almaden Library July 27

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

A who’s who of area residents and history lovers recently attended the book signing of “Images of America: New Almaden” by local authors Mike Boulland and Arthur Boudreault at Casa Grande.

Boulland and Boudreault’s love of the project was showcased in a re-enactment of J.B. Randol and Robert Bulmore in 19th century gentlemen’s day clothes. And it was apropos that the standing-room-only event was in the New Room of the once Quicksilver Mine manager’s home—Bulmore’s initials are even etched in the windowsill along with the date 1894.

“Mike and Art did a fabulous job documenting the history of New Almaden,” said Santa Clara County Parks Director Lisa Killough. “I am very excited to be here and support their new book. It’s really wonderful.”

Authors Arthur Boudreault and Michael Boulland have penned essays accompanied by archival photographs of the area from the Ohlone Indians to California’s first and richest mine to the colorful people who now reside in the scenic locale.

“New Almaden” is published by Arcadia Publishing and is the latest of its “Images of America” series chronicling the regional history of various cities and towns in North America. With more than 200 vintage black-and-white photographs of each specific area, the publishing house’s titles celebrates a town or region, bringing to life the people, places and events that defined the community. And when they approached Boudreault and Boulland, they struck gold.

“I knew I couldn’t do it without Mike,” said author and New Almaden County Park Association archivist Boudreault. “I live outside the community [near the Safeway store on Almaden]. Mike lives here and knows the community.”

Accolades
But perhaps the best kudos comes from the New Almaden community and history aficionados:

“I am tickled to death,” said Virginia Hammerness. “A lot of hard work went into the book. They spent hours and hours. It was a labor of love. And it’s great that they picked New Almaden. A lot of people don’t know about it and it was a very important cheap source of quicksilver to mine gold in California.”

“I think it’s great,” said Tom Graham. “I like the whole concept of preserving history in a medium that any one can own. Art and Mike jumped in with both feet. It’s exciting to watch and maybe they’ll get more people out here to the richest mine in California.”

“I’m totally excited,” said New Almaden resident Robbie Lamons, who contributed to the Victorian refreshments with fresh baked pasties [meat turnovers that the miners brought to work] and saffron cakes for the book signing. “The book turned out beautifully.”

“I am overwhelmed by the number of people who are here,” said New Almaden Quicksilver Museum park interpreter John Slenter. “People are really interested in local history and it gives the museum more exposure. Their book is different than the other books we have here. It dwells more on the community. And it is really well done.”

“I love to see our historical heritage,” said New Almaden resident Sandra Soto. “We need to have the oral history documented and that is what this book does. It is so important.”

Boulland and Boudreault sold out all their copies at the Casa Grande event and are busily ordering more for their next book signings and historic re-enactments.

On July 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Boulland and Boudreault will appear at the Almaden Library Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave. San Jose. For more information call Torrie O’Reilly at (408) 268-1133.

On Aug. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m., the authors will appear at University of California-Santa Cruz extension, 10420 Buff Road, Cupertino. For more information call Brendan Rawson at (408)861-3876.

“Images of America: New Almaden” is available for $19.99 through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665. The book is also available at area bookstores, independent retailers and online bookstores.