In 1911, the Marin Journal, forerunner of the Marin Independent Journal, published a special Golden Anniversary edition commemorating its first fifty years of publication. Sixteen pages long and printed on book-quality paper, the edition consisted entirely of a series of illustrated articles about each community in Marin County, written by a local correspondent, extolling the virtues of their towns. These give an intriguing view of how local residents viewed their communities, their progress, and their hopes for the future. The pride and their hopes glow through their words. The special edition was followed by a series of weekly articles detailing the history of Marin County. While there are inaccuracies, these articles were written when many of the founding pioneers of the county were still alive, and contain much information not available elsewhere. While there are many histories of California, this series focuses on Marin County and describes the people and events that made the county and formed its culture. Taken together, the special edition and the history articles give an intimate look at the county as seen by its founders and residents more than a century ago. Transcribed, edited, and annotated by local San Anselmo historian Brian K. Crawford.