When I first started thinking about Pleasant Hill's 25th anniversary, former councilman Dan Rupprecht suggested that a history of our city should be prepared. The idea was appealing even though most cities wait until their centennial celebrations. The major appeal of writing our history now is in the fact that many of the original participants in the incorporation struggle and the ensuing court battles are still here to tell the story.
For those of us who did not initially participate, but who have heard countless stories about all of those struggles and battles, this project is vitally important. We can now put together all the bits and pieces and understand more fully what it was that attracted us to the city of Pleasant Hill.
From the Youngstown community and the old Pleasant Hill School District, through incorporation, school reorganization, court battles, and internal struggles we learn of the involvement, dedication, and energy needed to build a city. The reason for our autonomy from the rest of metropolitan area becomes clear. The energy that drives Pleasant Hill does not come from a generating plant or from pipelines, but from the people. I am proud to know many of them. I am excited about knowing of their motivations and their dreams. What they built attracted you and me to Pleasant Hill and what we build will be better because of the strong foundation they created.
Many people contributed to the development of this book. We owe them a debt of thanks. Also, special thanks to Steve Norder, Lois Norder and their associates whose energy and enthusiasm made it possible to complete this book in a very limited amount of time.