If I remember my Spanish correctly, it should be \al-uh-MEH-duh\ not \al-uh-MEE-duh\. While many Californians mis pronounce their historical place names I don't think the practice should be perpetuated. Historic Spots in California states that the county "doubtless received it's name from El Arroyo de la Alameda {Alameda Creek) which when first discovered, was lined, as it is now (1932) with willow and silver barked sycamore trees giving it the appearance of an alameda or road lined with trees while the rest of the valley was treeless". Are the creek and the trees still there? Ralph Anderson Boulder, CO rkaboulder@bwn.net