July 6, 2006

Local authors pen new history book of New Almaden area

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Once a sleepy hamlet, the New Almaden area is gaining national recognition as a rural community steeped in history, detailed in the newly released book, “Images of America: New Almaden.”

Authors Mike Boulland and Arthur Boudreault will appear at the New Almaden Quicksilver Museum July 12 for their first book signing of Images of America New Almaden. Photo courtesy of The New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum

Local 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 local.

“New Almaden” is published by Arcadia Publishing and is the latest of its “Images of America” series chronicling regional history books of 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.

“New Almaden is a great book for natives as well as newcomers to New Almaden,” said Arcadia Publishing Publicity Manager Nancy J. Collins. “Like all the books in Arcadia Publishing’s ‘Image of America’ series, the book is not only a great way to read about the area’s history, it is a great book for a visual history lesson as well.”

New Almaden began innocently enough. Boudrealt and Boulland attended the annual Pioneer Day last October. One of the attendees, Robert Burrill, had written “Images of America: Milpitas” and contacted Arcadia Publishing regarding New Almaden Quicksilver Museum archivist Boudreault. He asked Boulland to join the project as he lived and knew the New Almaden community as well as fascinated by the history. The publisher with more than 3,000 titles in print of local and regional history jumped on the idea of a book on the New Almaden local.

Boudreault
Boudreault is a retired electrical engineer whose fascination with New Almaden history led to him to become director, treasurer and archivist for New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] archiving thousands of pictures and historical documents of the area.

He is also a director of the Almaden Valley Community Association as well as a docent and researcher for the New Almaden Mining Museum. Previously, he authored “Journey to Recovery” as well as writing several articles about famous historical figures for the American Canadian Genealogy Society.

“Our book spans the century of the Quicksilver Mine and how it was resurrected after it closed,” said Boudreault. “We decided to use as much as possible and we have even created a separate index with 600 people included in the book. We also uncovered new information in our research that increased the accuracy of the history of the area.”

Boulland
Boulland is a retired elementary school teacher. He is president of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park Association and a director in both the New Almaden Community Club and NAQCPA. He is a tour guide and docent at the New Almaden Mining Museum and History San Jose. He previously published two books, “Whoppers and Ghostly Tales from Rancho Santa Teresa” and the “Legend of Santa Teresa.” He lives in the historical district of New Almaden.

“It was a lot of fun beating the deadlines, photographing the area and uncovering new information to include in the book,” said Boulland. “Some of the research was difficult but it was so enlightening and rewarding to make the connection with new information. And we’re including a lot of new photos that have never been seen.”

‘Images of America: New Almaden’
The cover of “New Almaden” showcases the mining manager’s home, Casa Grande, in 1894 with its reflection in the lagoon that once bordered the Alamitos Creek. The sepia photograph was taken by Robert Bulmore who received a gold medal from the California Camera Club for the piece. With this inclusion of detail, Boudrealt and Boulland have created a fascinating journey from the beginning of the discovery of cinnabar, the mine managers who oversaw California’s first and richest mine, the colorful occupants both past and present and the structures they lived and worked in.

The book showcases 200 photo essays including new information and images of an important California site. And there are a few touches of whimsy—the burial of Bertram’s arm at the old Hacienda cemetery; Jimmy Dean, the pot-bellied pig who calls one of the houses on Bertram Road his home; how the Prickly Pear house got its name to where a Doobie Brother lived on Bertram Road. Boudrealt and Boulland’s knowledge and affection of the area is evident as well as their vast knowledge of the New Almaden area.

Quicksilver Museum book signing
“This book, ‘New Almaden,’ is more than just the photography—it is a history of the area,” said New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] President Kitty Monahan. “Our other books, ‘Cinnabar Hills’ and ‘Quicksilver’ have less of the archived photos. Art and Mike also uncovered new information about the area in their research. This really captures the flavor of New Almaden past and present. It’s wonderful!”

The book is finished, but authors Boudrealt and Boulland are busy scheduling dates for book signings and supplying local booksellers and merchants with copies. Their first signing is scheduled for July 12 at the New Almaden Mining Museum, where they have both spent hundreds of hours in preparation for their “Images of America” book. The history buffs have prepared a slideshow inclusive of all the photographs in the book. They will even appear in costume with a re-enactment of a meeting with J.B. Randol and Robert Bulmore.

“It was a lot of fun working on the book together,” said Boulland. “And it was a total village. Thanks to everyone in the community who shared their stories and photographs. We are both very pleased with the book.”

And what about working together for months to complete the book? Boudreault and Boulland both agree “we are better friends now” and are considering writing another book together. And if the completion of “New Almaden” as any indication, history lovers hope they will.

Art Boudreault and Mike Boulland will appear at their first book signing of “Images of America: New Almaden” July 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the New Almaden Mining Museum, 21350 Almaden Rd., San Jose. (408)-323-1107. Included is a slideshow of the photographs, a re-enactment and Victorian refreshments.

“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.