Tucked between Richardson Bay and Ring Mountain in Tiburon, California is one of Marin County’s oldest subdivisions Belveron Gardens. Over 180 small Ranch Houses were built on level lots in the early 1950s for returning GI's. The majority of single-story houses were three-bedroom, one-bath models; however, there were several two-bedroom houses. The houses were situated on large sunny lots with deep front and back yards, creating desirable outdoor living spaces. A long, tall railroad trestle used by freight and passenger trains divided Belveron Gardens, creating the neighborhoods of Belveron East and Belveron West. Like its sister neighborhood, Belveron East quickly filled with young couples eager to be a part of a new community where they could raise their children. Wide, flat streets named Juno, Apollo, Mercury and Venus connected the new residents of Belveron East. There they forged friendships over potluck dinners, at street festivals, and during neighborhood association meetings and garage sales.



Almost 60 years later in 2009, the railroad trestle is gone but many of the original houses remain. While the Ranch House style still dominates, other architectural styles now appear, adding new character. The streets have more cars but are shadier and greener. Lap pools, wood-fired pizza ovens, and trampolines now share backyards with patio furniture, grills and vegetable gardens. Bedrooms often are converted into home offices and garages into family rooms. Groups of children bike, walk and carpool to school. Book clubs, backyard barbecues, block parties, and garage sales bring neighbors together. And young families seeking the spirit of a small-town community still come to Belveron East where neighbors become friends and family.



Karen Halsey was the driving force behind this book. She did everything except push the shutter button to take the pictures. Karen’s hope is that this book will show that Belveron East is a special community of people who really like each other and have great fun together.