Hello Residents, Friends and Visitors

Welcome to Brentwood, California and our 75th anniversary celebration.

The City of Brentwood is elated to commemorate our 75th anniversary. With a rich history and a vibrant present, Brentwood has flourished into a thriving community that cherishes its past while embracing the future. This milestone serves as a moment of reflection and celebration for the city’s residents and businesses.

In this publication, you will learn some of that rich history, such as who our first mayor was, when the first street was built and how we became known for our agricultural products.

Speaking of history, did you know that Brentwood is now the self-proclaimed “U-Pick Capital”? Brentwood is the second-oldest U-pick area in the U.S. and the oldest, this side of the Allegheny Mountains.

Did you know that our beautiful City Hall and Community Center were designed after another former building in town? Former council member Chris Becnel, and his wife Donna were looking at some old pictures of the original Hotel Brentwood – formerly lo - cated on the corner of Oak and Brentwood (formerly Railroad) Boulevard and realized that is the look we need to re-create and the rest is history. Speaking of history, you may want to take time to walk around the outside of City Hall.

Over the years, Brentwood has grown tremendously and developed, but has maintained its agricultural roots. Our city once relied primarily on agriculture, but has now diversified its economy and flourished in various sectors, including retail, healthcare, education, and technology. Our commitment to innovation and sustainabil- ity has positioned Brentwood as a hub for growing families, retirees, entrepreneurship and opportunity.

The City of Brentwood invites its residents, past and present, to join in the festivities marking this momentous occasion. A series of exciting events and activities are planned throughout the year. We hope you enjoy your time in Brentwood. We look forward to seeing you at the many upcoming events and ensuring that Brentwood continues to be “rooted in the community” for another 75 years. – TheCityofBrentwood

Portrait of Judge Rixon

Judge W. Blair Rixon (born Nov. 20, 1908 died Nov.28,1998) Rixon briefly served as a deputy district attorney for Contra Costa County in the 1940s during the period in which this story is set. In 1948, he became the Brentwood City Court Judge and later a Municipal Court Judge in Brentwood and Pittsburg. Rixon retired from the bench in 1974.

Mayors

John Lane 1948 – 1949

Oliver Danielson 1949 – 1950

Joseph Silva 1950 – 1952

Everett Lemoine 1952 – 1954

Wesley Curtis 1954 – 1956

William ‘Pete’ Gibson 1956 – 1958

Clifford Avery 1958 – 1960

Art Christiansen 1960 – 1964

George Nunn 1964 – 1968

Alan Jensen 1968 – 1970

George Gamble 1970 – 1976

Joe Cunningham 1976 – 1978

Bruce Ghiselli 1978 – 1980

Council Members

Founding City Council Members

Barbara Guise 1980 – 1982

Roger Moore

1982 – 1984

Nathan Fisher 1984 – 1986

Catherine Palmer 1986 – 1990

Art Gonzales 1990 – 1994

Bill Hill 1994 – 1996

John Morrill 1996 – 1998

Quintin Kidd 1998 – 2000

Michael A. McPoland 2000 – 2002

Brian Swisher 2002 – 2006

Robert Taylor 2006 – 2020

Joel Bryant 2020 – Present

City of Brentwood City Council Members

The first Brentwood City Council poses for a photograph in 1948. Pictured from left to right are Bob Jansee, Oliver Danielson, John J. Lane, Mayor; John Dyer and Adolf Boltzen. The city’s approved first budget was $28,500 ($353,790.00 in 2023 buying power). The property taxed assessed valuation was $700,000 ($8,689,585 in 2023 buying power).