Historical Photos

& Exclusive Content

Through the Lens offers a rare glimpse into Crockett’s past with historical photographs that bring the town’s stories to life. Here you’ll find exclusive images featured in Sweet Success—along with never-before-published material available only on this site. Step inside the frame and explore the moments, people, and places that shaped a community.

The Destruction of Valona

The building of Interstate 80 required the destruction of 150 homes and the removal of over nine million cubic yards of earth. Completed in 1958, the project reduced Crockett's population by over 1,500 residents, effectively destroying the once-thriving business district of Crockett.  

A black and white photo of a hillside with several damaged houses, some leaning or partially collapsed, debris scattered around, and a view of a residential neighborhood with houses and trees in the background.

Houses condemned and waiting for the wrecking ball.

Black and white photo of a hilly residential neighborhood with vintage cars parked along the street, utility poles, and houses on both sides of the street and on the hill.

View towards Pomona Street.

A black-and-white photo of a hillside neighborhood with various houses, a tall radio tower, and hilly terrain in the background.

View from Wanda and Second Avenue towards the big "cut" and rising piers.

A black and white photo of a hilly residential area with houses, dirt roads, construction debris, and utility poles.

Pomona and Sixth Streets.

Pomona and Sixth Streets

C&H’s “pin-up girls”

The Cubelet Press, C&H Sugar’s bimonthly newsletter from December 1943, included a photo of C&H’s “pin-up girls” along with a greeting to the 361 men, all employees, who were fighting in World War II. Thankfully, the caption listed all the women and men shown in the photo. Most were Crockett and Valona residents at the time.

A black and white photo of a group of young women in white dresses sitting and standing outdoors on a grassy area, with four men standing behind them, in front of industrial buildings with a tall smokestack.

Front row from left: Vincent Colombo, Eleanor Silviera, Mary Pagni, Rose Fanucchi, Clementina Pagni, Helen Tegtmeyer, Louise Rey, Doris Grover, Mary Mello, Louise Goicoechea, and Violet Pallotta. Second row: Josephine White, Rose Giorgetti, Mercedes Higuera, Rita Bignardi, Alma Lynch, Alvera Miller, Mercia Reed, Emily Furtado, Demoia Nelson, Mary Ferrario, and Mercy Fernandez. Third row: Art Friend, Ted Spuhler, Ann Hoag, Mary Jurien, Norma Paganini, Mary Rodrigues, Lena Donovan, Betty Saucke, Louise Giusti, Francis Colombo, Beatrice Costa, Emily Shearer, and Eva Gill. Back row: Rose Valine, Hortense Dutra, Frances Lucido, Jessie Craghill, Betty Piantanida, Columbina Palladini, Frank DiMuzzio, Hilda Orsi, Attillio Pallotta, and Floyd Bright.