The Virtual Museum

This page contains snap shots of times and events around the city.
As information is added, items on this page may expand to a full page.
  • Around Town
  • Sycamore Avenue Mural
  • Totem Pole
  • Refugio Valley Park
  • Hercules Water Tower
  • Hercules Middle/High School

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    click on any picture to enlarge
    AROUND TOWN
    Bus shelter is dedicated by
    city officials in the early 1980s.    		 Dedication of the Creekside Shopping Center
    in 1981. 
    I-80 is in the background.
    SYCAMORE AVENUE MURAL
    Funded by a grant provided by the California Arts Council, Hercules Artist-In-Residence Nancy Thompson taught Pinole Valley High School students how to conceptualize and plan a mural.  Completed in 1981, the Sycamore Avenue Mural bears their names in the lower right corner.  In 1995, Caltrans covered the Mural with protective wood panels during the I-80 retrofit project.  The mural is currently undergoing restoration.
    TOTEM POLE
    In 1981, under the direction of Hercules Artist-In-Residence Nancy Thompson, youngsters were taught how to carve a totem pole.  This totem pole now stands in Woodfield Park.  Artists on this project signed their names in the cement base.  

    Nancy Thonpson who worked with Pinole Valley High School students to create the Sycamore Avenue Mural, also worked with Ohlone Elementary School students to create and stitch a quilt illustrating life in Hercules, and Hercules Elementary Students in painting the school's equpiment shed and walls.

    REFUGIO VALLEY PARK
    Prior to excavation, surrounded by
    Country Run housing development.    		 Park landscaping and gazebo construction in 1980. 
    I-80 is in the background.
    The Refugio Valley Park Project cost of $1,365,000. was financed from building fees and sales taxes.  This  included a small lake, amphitheater and performing area (gazebo), large multi-purpose playing field, children's play area, restrooms, parking, 1.5 mile jogging and bike trail, and four-court tennis facility. 

    Dedicated on July 4, 1981, Refugio Valley Park was featured in the September 1986 issue of "Landscape Architecture", and received the Honor Award for park and recreation facility design.  In making the award, the Design Jury commented on the success of the park's design in acting as a community landmark, establishing a "classical idenity" while preserving and heightening the existing natural features of the area.

    HERCULES WATER TOWER
    A beacon to travelers along I-80,
    The water tower announced you were now in HERCULES.    		 Standing at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Hercules Avenue. At the base of the tower, the view is towards the Bay and the original site for some of the historic homes.
    HERCULES lettering is now the property of the City and is currently in storage at City Hall. Demolished in September 1981, to make way forthe Olympian Hills housingdevelopment. 

    HERCULES MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
    Construction begins, 
    December 1999    		 Football field is graded, 
    May 2000    		 Construction progresses, 
    May 2000