MIRABEL PARK RESORT
SPEER'S MARKET

• MIRABEL PARK RESORT

Redwood land near Forestville was leased by the San Francisco & Pacific Coast Railroad to build tracks when they came through in 1876. They recognized its beauty and named it Mirabel Park and set it aside as a picnic area in 1898. Quickly it became very popular. It was large, covering 50 acres and included the area now housing Burke's Canoe Trips. But F. Butler, who controlled the stretch of redwoods along Mark West Creek and Russian River became disgusted with the trash, the noise, and the general unabashed behavior of the users.

His solution, in 1901, was to lease the property to The Literary Club of San Francisco for use as a literary retreat. Renamed The Reverie, it featured a tent hotel, and most importantly, a string of renowned guest speakers who would lecture the audience on nature, life, science, art, travel and more.

So began the long story of Mirabel Park, one of the oldest recreational areas on Russian River. The redwood grove was easily accessible from Santa Rosa and the nearby community of Forestville. Places like Guerneville and Monte Rio were mill towns where cutting down trees was the norm. Mirabel Park was a place where the trees were admired, even celebrated.

Visitors were greeted on their arrival at Mirabel Park with this sign. Mirabel Park at that time was quite large compared to today. It included what is known as Burke's Canoe Trips and Mirabel Heights.

The gateway to the park.

Greyhound Bus and gas station.

I see a 1956 Chevy in this photo so that is the likely date. Richfield Gas Station and Riviera Pizza were popular on River Road.

The cocktail lounge back when Mirabel Park was owned by the Berg family.

Mirabel Park opened a huge dance pavilion in the early years of the 20th Century. In the 1940s it was billed as "the largest dance floor in Northern California." It stood on pilings overlooking the beach and river. It was operated by Bob and Mary Lou Burke.

A big flood in 1964, though not flooding the pavilion, gave authorities concern that if the building did get carried away in a flood, it could destroy the Hacienda Bridge on its way down river. The pavilion was taken down in 1965.

1955 - Dance pavilion and beach at Mirabel Park.

Dance pavilion as seen from the river.

The dance and skating pavilion..

Hundreds of swimmers were common at Mirabel Park. 1920.

There seemed to be a conscious effort to keep swimwear from being sexy as both men and women wore potato sacks. 1920.

After the war, there were a lot of Army surplus pontoon boats which Mirabel Park used as a bridge.

1930 - On the right, the dance hall.

This photo is taken from a similar position to the above photograph. In 2018, the property belongs to Burke's Canoe Trips.

The 2018 Mirabel Park, much smaller than the original Mirabel Park campground, is located primarily on Mark West Creek.

TIMELINE

Before the train line was built, the land that included what would become known as Mirabel Park was owned by H. B. Litton. His father moved here from Missouri in 1870 when H.B. was only 9 or 10.

1898 - The San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad leases the property for picnics
1900 - Railroad lease expires and F. Butler runs the area. Includes a large residence and 50 acres of land
1901 - Leased to Literary Club of San Francisco and renamed THE REVERIE
1903 - F. Butler operates the area as picnic grounds again
1911 - F. Roberts signs a five year lease
1915 - James Keegan purchases 35 acres of the park
1926 - Purchased by the Skaggs Bros. who own a chain of grocery stores. The purchase is for 15 acres
1927 - Skaggs forms a corporation with W.R. Griswold as The Mirabel Amusement Co.
? - The Mirabel Amusement Co. is sold to W.E. Barber and Harry Fetch.
1946 - Bob Trowbridge leases the property and enters into a business arrangement with the Pacific Coast Amusement Co. to form Mirabel Enterprises
1947 - Duke Ellington performs at Mirabel Park
1950 - Harry Fetch put it up for sale
1958 - Jim and Clara Ford manage the park
? - Burke's Mirabel Park, INC. Operated by Bob Burke and Mary Lou Lacabanne
'50s - Larry and Elvira Berg (one year)
? - Burke's owned again.
? - Charlie and Annie Kawa
? - later operators being researched.

A 1947 ad for Duke Ellington, with coming announcements for Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. All were internationally known performers of that time.

• SPEER'S MARKET

I don't have the date, but this land, including Mirabel Heights, was purchased by James Speer to build a store. His son ran the store until 1937. A relative, Howard Speer, and his wife, Lillian, bought it after WWII and added a bar and card room. The above photo shows Lillian's father, George Walsh, standing in front in 1953.