Remembering Nilda Rego

by Margie Newton

The Contra Costa County Historical Society is saddened by the passing of long-time friend and Days Gone By newspaper columnist Nilda Rego. Nilda passed away on April 19, 2026, at the age of 99.

Nilda Rego and her husband Dan, who passed away in 2022, were long-time members of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. For more than a quarter of a century they contributed their time and efforts to the organization.  However, the most important contribution to the Society is the Nilda Rego Collection, spanning over 6 decades from 1961-2016, consisting of 16 boxes of searchable stories written by Nilda about Contra Costa County history.

Nilda was born in Berkeley on February 13, 1927.  She entered U C Berkeley and earned a degree in journalism.  She and Dan married, had a daughter, and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1950.  Five more children, all boys, were born over the next 12 years and the family returned to California in 1969, settling in Moraga.

Nilda’s first job was society editor for the Martinez News-Gazette.  She began writing a weekly history column for the Concord Transcript, then soon after for the Contra Costa Times, beginning in 1987 and ending with her retirement in 2015.  The columns were extremely popular among the CC Times readers and were eventually compiled into a 3-volume series entitled "Days Gone By”.

Nilda’s talent will live in the work that remains for research and enjoyment.  The book series, published by the Contra Costa County Historical Society, is available for purchase in the CCCHS Bookstore, either online or in-person at the History Center. Her collection is searchable at the History Center by arrangement.

Thank you, Nilda and Dan, for your valuable contribution to the Contra Costa County Historical Society.

Nilda Rego (February 13, 1927-April 19, 2026)

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A few examples of her local history articles include:

‍Volume 1:The Mystery of Sam Bacon; Pittsburg Paradise; Moraga’s Little San Simeon

‍Volume 2:‘Floating Palaces’ sunk in 1916; Early Black Settlers in Contra Costa; Geary’s General Store

‍Volume 3:Jacuzzi’s Ranch Reunion; El Rancho Pinole; Pioneer Woman