Things you probably didn't know about the Saranap area
The Saranap
community's name comes from an early 20th century inter-urban commuter rail system. The local station, near the intersection of Tice Valley Boulevard and Olympic Way, was named after the railroad developer's mother, Sara Napthaly. This developer promoted the railroad to enhance the value of land developments, a process that led to a housing development similar to a trolley car suburb, although in fact the railroad was a conventional regional rail line.
adapted from Wikipedia.org
Saranap's ZIP code
is 94595, which is addressed "Walnut Creek, CA" for delivery purposes; this is the U.S. Postal Service designated city name used by residents.
Saranap History
A wonderful insight to Saranap history and culture is given in Dorothy M. Ligda’s book Saranap, Then and Now, published in 2006 by Pleasant Hill Press. This book covers the earliest history of the area through 2006, and is a fascinating read.
Dorothy is a long time resident of Saranap, moving here about 1949. She studied at San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco, earning her teaching and librarian credentials. Dorothy has taught in Pleasant Hill, and helped establish library programs in the Mount Diablo School District. She and her husband also taught in Winnipeg, Canada as Fulbright exchange teachers.
Her book contains a nice bibliography for the reader who wants to learn more about Saranap and the central Contra Costa history.
Saranap, Then and Now is available at most of the Contra Costa Counties library branches, including the Ygnacio Valley branch library in Walnut Creek. It can be reserved online at the Contra Costa County Library website (you must have a CCC Library Card to reserve or check out a book).