In 2023, the City of Lafayette will be exploring and celebrating our local history.

The Lafayette Chamber is working in partnership with the City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Historical Society (LHS), to increase awareness and appreciation of our history including recognition and understanding of the indigenous people who were first on the land that is now Lafayette, as well as the Spaniards and Rancheros that preceded American settlers who laid out the built community that we see today. The theme “Celebrating 175+ Years” also nods to our future.

Learn more at https://www.lovelafayette.org/why-lafayette/175plus.

New Utility Box Art Celebrates Lafayette’s History

View on Website, Post Date: 02/03/2023 1:44 PM City of Lafayette

Seven utility boxes along Mt. Diablo Boulevard in downtown Lafayette are being updated with new artwork. The new utility box wraps feature a collage of historic images intended to increase awareness of our local history and contribute to the cultural identity of our city.

The Lafayette Historical Society (LHS) and the City’s Public Art Committee collaborated with graphic designer Danielle Gogo-Gallagher to create the series of beautifully designed, photo-realistic history wraps utilizing archival photos from LHS’s impressive collection. The boxes are located along Mt. Diablo Boulevard between First Street and Dolores Drive. Each box includes a QR code that can be scanned using a smartphone to access educational information presented by the Lafayette Historical Society on the historical relevance of the archival images.

You can directly visit the individual pages for each box by following the links below:

• Saklan People  Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Lafayette Circle
• Early Downtown – Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Rd.
• Pioneer & Farm Life Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Dolores Dr.
• Mt. Diablo Boulevard – Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Oak Hill Rd.
• Early School Days – Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Happy Valley Rd.
• Leisure Pastimes – Mt. Diablo Blvd. and First St.
• Tunnels, Roads & Rails Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Dewing Ave

The new utility box wraps are part of the City of Lafayette’s 175+ Years celebration in 2023. The City is working in partnership with the Lafayette Historical Society to increase awareness and appreciation of our history including recognition and understanding of the indigenous people who were first on the land that is now Lafayette, as well as the Spaniards and Rancheros that preceded American settlers who laid out the built community that we see today.

In addition to the new utility box wraps, there will be several events and presentations throughout the year including monthly presentations to the City Council, copies of “Images of America: Lafayette” circulated through Little Free Libraries in Lafayette and more!

For more information, visit these websites:

• City of Lafayette webpage: www.lovelafayette.org/why-lafayette/175plus
•  Lafayette Historical Society webpage: lafayettehistory.org/celebrating-175-years

If you are part of a local organization that would like to get involved in celebrating 175+ years of Lafayette’s history, please contact Communications Analyst Suzanne Iarla at siarla@lovelafayette.org with your ideas or suggestions.

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