McNear: Mother of eight, Annie McGuire Kelley was popular in Mendocino

Born on March 21, 1877 in San Francisco, Annie Agnes McGuire was raised the daughter of Irish immigrants. She had five siblings, and after her father passed away in 1881, her mother Rose and older sister Mary worked at the City Hotel in Mendocino to make ends meet. The McGuires lived in a rental owned by William Kelley.

Annie was well-liked by her peers. In June 1894, she was awarded a prize as “the most popular young lady in Mendocino.” She regularly attended costume parties, which were so popular they were held throughout the year in the Victorian Era, and her attendance as an “American Girl” and “in Greek costume” earned her recognition in newspaper reports of the parties.