Meet James Howe

James Pomeroy Howe was an Associated Press foreign correspondent who traveled the world, covered the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and spent years reporting from China.

In 1934, Howe retired with his wife, Mia, to their seven-acre Walnut Creek property, which he nicknamed “Gopher Gulch Ranch.” Here, he became known as something of a local Renaissance gentleman—making wine, collecting corkscrews, and raising Chinese pigeons.

Howe died in 1970 at age 91. The City of Walnut Creek later acquired the property, which became Howe Homestead Park.

Photo: James P. Howe being interviewed about his pigeon flute collection

Learn more: Walnut Creek Historical Society