Published in the April 2 – 15, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe
I have always wondered how a Morgan Hill creek and street were designated with the name of Edmundson. There is not much in our local history about a man or family with this last name who might have owned property in the area. In the early 1900’s, J.W. Edmundson worked for the Braslan Seed Company which owned farmland in both Santa Clara and San Benito counties. A distribution warehouse for Braslan was located in Coyote for a number of years. In 1912, Edmundson was the business manager for the California Seed Growers Association, which had 1,000 acres in production for carrot, lettuce, onion, radish, beet and sweet pea seeds. Legal documents suggest that Braslan was involved in a restraint of trade lawsuit through its efforts to consolidate or control the local seed market. Currently, there are several large seed companies still growing for vegetable and flower seeds in South County. This is my best conjecture as to the naming of the street and creek.
The creekside pathway that follows a good portion of Edmundson Creek is a real treasure for the residents of the Paradise Valley Elementary School and park neighborhood. It is a prime example of an integrated planning approach between the developer, the water district and the city of Morgan Hill to incorporate a riparian corridor with suburban housing. The channel is designed as a wide swale which allows water runoff to percolate into the aquifer and provide flood protection at the same time. And we are able to enjoy a quiet stroll listening to bird songs and beholding the old valley oaks that thrive in the alluvial soil.
We are beginning a Natural History Series beginning Saturday April 5th at the Anderson Lake County Park Visitor Center. The start time is 10 a.m. with an introductory presentation in the multipurpose room followed by a walk along Coyote Creek. An identical program will be held at Villa Mira Monte, the historic home of Hiram and Diana Morgan Hill, Friday April 11th starting at noontime so bring a brown bag lunch. Both gatherings will last for about an hour and run each Friday and Saturday through the end of June.
April 22 is Earth Day and Mother Nature needs our help more than ever. Please lend a hand in support of the Valley of Heart’s Delight.
EDMUNDSON CREEK HIKE
Location: Edmundson Creek Pedestrian Parkway; park along La Crosse Drive near Vineyard Blvd.
Time/Date: 10 to 11 a.m. April 13
Rating: All ages; rain cancels
Contact:(408) 234-6377, or [email protected]
