Escondido: A Pictorial History of the Hidden Valley
A publication of the Escondido History Center Published by HPN Books and Ledge Media ©2020 Visit www.ledgemedia.net/escondido to order printed copies And visit www.HPNBooks.com for info on how to publish your own book as a fundraiser for your community
A publication of the Escondido History Center
Published by HPN Books and Ledge Media ©2020
Visit www.ledgemedia.net/escondido to order printed copies
And visit www.HPNBooks.com for info on how to publish your own book as a fundraiser for your community
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<strong>Escondido</strong><br />
A <strong>Pictorial</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
A publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center
Thank you for your interest in this HPNbooks publication.<br />
For more information about o<strong>the</strong>r HPNbooks publications, or information about<br />
producing your own book with us, please visit www.hpnbooks.com.
<strong>Escondido</strong><br />
A <strong>Pictorial</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
By Robin Fox & Carol Rea<br />
Sponsored by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center<br />
Published by HPNbooks, a Division <strong>of</strong> Ledge Media, Jackson, Wyoming
Legacy Sponsors<br />
Through <strong>the</strong>ir generous support, <strong>the</strong> following companies helped make this project possible.<br />
ALHISER-COMER MORTUARY<br />
225 South Broadway<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California 92025<br />
760-745-2162<br />
www.alhiser-comer.com<br />
KEN BLANCHARD COMPANIES<br />
125 State Place<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California 92029<br />
760-489-5005<br />
www.kenblanchard.com<br />
TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO<br />
231 East Lincoln Parkway<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California 92026<br />
760-300-1112<br />
www.toyotaescondido.com<br />
THE HILLEBRECHT/EMERSON/ADAMS FAMILIES<br />
First Edition<br />
Copyright © 2020 HPNbooks/Ledge Media<br />
All rights reserved. No part <strong>of</strong> this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from<br />
<strong>the</strong> publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to Ledge Media, 690 S Highway 89, Suite 201 Box 12679 Jackson, WY 83002. Phone (800) 939-5311, www.hpnbooks.com.<br />
ISBN: 978-1-944891-69-5<br />
Library <strong>of</strong> Congress Control Number: 2019954562<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>: A <strong>Pictorial</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
authors: Robin Fox, Carol Rea<br />
cover artist: Gloria Warren<br />
project manager and managing editor: Daphne Fletcher<br />
contributing writers for “Sharing <strong>the</strong> Heritage”: Kevin Kern, Marcus Mat<strong>the</strong>w, Sid Shapira<br />
HPNbooks/Ledge Media<br />
publisher & CEO: Daphne Fletcher<br />
VP & Director <strong>of</strong> IT: Rafael Ramirez<br />
administration: Donna Mata, Kristin T. Williamson<br />
production: Colin Hart, Christopher D. Sturdevant<br />
2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
A view <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> from <strong>the</strong> veranda <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel, looking west, in 1910.<br />
This book is dedicated to past, present and future pioneers <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
D e d i c a t i o n F 3
Contents<br />
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..............................................................................................5<br />
PREFACE ..............................................................................................................6<br />
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................7<br />
Jeffrey R. Epp<br />
CHAPTER 1 — EARLIEST ESCONDIDO.....................................................................................8<br />
The Beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Story, Changing Landscapes<br />
CHAPTER 2 — COMMUNITY ...............................................................................................28<br />
Housing, Faith, Education, Historic Preservation,<br />
Clubs & Organizations, Sports, Events, People<br />
CHAPTER 3 — COMMERCE ................................................................................................60<br />
Transportation Industry, Agriculture, Communications, Banks, Retail & Services<br />
CHAPTER 4 — CULTURE ...................................................................................................86<br />
Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literature, Museums<br />
CHAPTER 5 — GOVERNMENT SITES & SERVICES ...................................................................99<br />
Buildings, Parks, Law Enforcement, Fire Protection<br />
ESCONDIDO TIMELINE ...................................................................................................118<br />
SHARING THE HERITAGE INTRODUCTION ...............................................................124<br />
Kristen Gaspar<br />
SHARING THE HERITAGE .....................................................................................125<br />
Quality <strong>of</strong> Life, The Marketplace, Building a Greater <strong>Escondido</strong>, Family Heritage<br />
SPONSORS ......................................................................................................................241<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHORS .........................................................................................244<br />
ABOUT THE COVER.............................................................................................245<br />
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS .........................................................246<br />
ESCONDIDO AND THE CORONAVIRUS .....................................................................247<br />
4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Acknowledgments<br />
As <strong>the</strong> pages <strong>of</strong> this book suggest, <strong>Escondido</strong> has proven itself to always have been a community that comes toge<strong>the</strong>r for positive<br />
efforts and to help when needed. Many persons assisted in putting this book toge<strong>the</strong>r and we appreciate <strong>the</strong>m all, starting with <strong>the</strong><br />
community members who have graciously donated <strong>the</strong>ir family photographs to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center over <strong>the</strong> years. We<br />
thank <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for supporting this project, including City Manager Jeff Epp, Joanna Axelrod, Vince McCaw, Raymond<br />
Seraile, Michelle Geller, Teresa Collins, Rick Vogt, Craig Carter, Ed Varso, Joyce Masterson and Linda Loughnane. Additionally, we are<br />
grateful for <strong>the</strong> time, effort and support provided by Edith Hillebrecht and her late husband, Ben Hillebrecht, and to our many<br />
sponsors who made this important historical book possible.<br />
2020 <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />
June Rady, President<br />
Carol Rea, Vice President<br />
Rod McLeod, Secretary<br />
Bob Johnson, Treasurer<br />
Kent Baker<br />
Edith Hillebrecht<br />
Tom Humphrey<br />
Jeff Johnson<br />
Christ Miller<br />
Fred Miller<br />
Victor Pestone<br />
A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s F 5
Preface<br />
In 1988, in celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s Centennial, a book, The <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Heritage, <strong>Escondido</strong>’s First 100 Years, was<br />
put toge<strong>the</strong>r by a dedicated group <strong>of</strong> local history enthusiasts, led by Alan McGrew. Since that time, a few o<strong>the</strong>r books have focused<br />
on specific areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s history, but, in 2018, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center happened onto an opportunity to put toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r book about <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “<strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong>,” in order to share more <strong>of</strong> its vast collection <strong>of</strong> photographs and o<strong>the</strong>r resources.<br />
The result is <strong>the</strong> book you now hold in your hands, a review <strong>of</strong> our city’s early history that includes rarely seen photographs from<br />
long ago, as well as a range <strong>of</strong> newer photographs with information about our more recent history. The <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center<br />
is pleased to be able to share <strong>the</strong>se photographs and a glimpse into how quickly today becomes <strong>the</strong> history to be reflected<br />
upon tomorrow.<br />
Toward <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> book, numerous <strong>Escondido</strong> families, businesses, and organizations have financially supported <strong>the</strong> printing<br />
<strong>of</strong> this book by purchasing pages to share <strong>the</strong>ir own stories and supplement <strong>the</strong> historical content developed for <strong>the</strong> front. We thank<br />
<strong>the</strong>m for making <strong>the</strong> publishing <strong>of</strong> this entire book possible.<br />
What was most striking, as we put this book toge<strong>the</strong>r, was that our city has grown and changed dramatically since its early<br />
beginnings, but it still remains a community <strong>of</strong> active and caring people who feel blessed to live, work, and play here. We hope you<br />
will also feel that sense <strong>of</strong> community and you will enjoy seeing <strong>Escondido</strong>’s past, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present, and look forward to a<br />
continued sense <strong>of</strong> community into <strong>the</strong> future as we do.<br />
The most challenging part <strong>of</strong> putting this book toge<strong>the</strong>r was deciding what information and history, out <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
photographs and events, to include within <strong>the</strong> set number <strong>of</strong> pages. We did our very best to represent key points in <strong>Escondido</strong>’s<br />
fascinating history, <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> a small town, developed by a savvy group <strong>of</strong> businessmen, as it grew to become <strong>the</strong> diverse and<br />
successful city it is today. We hope that you enjoy your step back into time.<br />
Robin Fox<br />
Carol Rea<br />
6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Introduction<br />
Little did I realize what was ahead when I rolled into town some thirty-three<br />
years ago. The occasion was a job interview for a deputy city attorney position.<br />
Interstate 15 was still very new. A huge subdivision was contemplated for Daley<br />
Ranch. East <strong>Valley</strong> was quiet and empty after <strong>the</strong> stores had moved to <strong>the</strong> new<br />
shopping center south <strong>of</strong> town.<br />
My <strong>of</strong>fice would be in <strong>the</strong> old City Hall, which used to sit on <strong>the</strong> knoll at Grand<br />
& <strong>Valley</strong> Blvd. It’s <strong>the</strong> same knoll in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old hospital which will soon be<br />
demolished and replaced, probably with residential buildings. Two careers later,<br />
I’m in <strong>the</strong> new City Hall, which itself is now twenty years old. Our new hospital<br />
is already six years old.<br />
Time marches on and nearly everything changes. Yet, as I looked at an old black<br />
and white photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first City Hall, I realized that <strong>the</strong> design<br />
concepts on that building had carried over to our current building. Grand Avenue<br />
and Grape Day Park have changed, but <strong>the</strong>y still retain <strong>the</strong> rich, original character<br />
that make <strong>the</strong>m special places in <strong>Escondido</strong>. Lake Wohlford is still a great place<br />
for fishing. The view from Bottle Peak remains awesome.<br />
Sometimes <strong>the</strong> best way forward is pausing for a look back, and this book provides<br />
that opportunity—especially for those who have a connection with this wonderful city. As you leaf through its pages, you realize how many<br />
came before us, and <strong>the</strong>y weren’t all that different. You will turn <strong>the</strong> final page knowing that o<strong>the</strong>rs will come after. And in between, you<br />
will find that <strong>Escondido</strong> history adds that sense <strong>of</strong> community, <strong>of</strong> shared friends, families, and places that make up <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
I am so pleased that <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> chose to participate in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> this book with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center. A<br />
city government, its citizens, and its history should be tightly interwoven. I will never forget that April evening in 1988 when hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s residents filled both levels <strong>of</strong> our newly constructed City Hall to celebrate. We have always had <strong>the</strong> warmth <strong>of</strong> a small town<br />
and <strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong> a thriving city. Through <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> this book, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center helps us understand that while working<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r creates <strong>the</strong> future, we must also acknowledge <strong>the</strong> contributions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past. It has been a pleasure to assist <strong>the</strong>m in this endeavor.<br />
Jeffrey R. Epp<br />
Manager, City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
E S C O N D I D O<br />
2 0 1 9 C I T Y C O U N C I L<br />
From left to right: Council Member John Masson,<br />
Deputy Mayor Consuelo Martinez, Mayor Paul<br />
McNamara, Council Member Olga Diaz, Council<br />
Member Michael Morasco.<br />
I n t r o d u c t i o n F 7
Chapter 1<br />
The Beginning<br />
“<strong>Escondido</strong> is <strong>the</strong><br />
most stirring new City in<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California...its<br />
streets are daily thronged<br />
with new arrivals, who,<br />
one and all, proclaim it<br />
<strong>the</strong> Garden Spot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world,” (November 4,<br />
1886, The Times). This<br />
photograph, looking west<br />
down Grand Avenue, was<br />
taken that same fall.<br />
The name, “<strong>Escondido</strong>” is roughly translated to “hidden place” and <strong>the</strong> city ‘s fascinating history<br />
began on land that formerly comprised <strong>the</strong> Rancho Rincon del Diablo, an old rancho predating<br />
California’s entrance into <strong>the</strong> United States. In 1886, <strong>the</strong> ranch was purchased by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land<br />
& Town Company (EL&T Co.), headed by <strong>the</strong> Thomas Bro<strong>the</strong>rs; Richard, Charles, John and William,<br />
as well as Jacob Gruendike, Daniel Hale, Thomas Metcalf and several o<strong>the</strong>rs. Numerous attempts had<br />
been made to utilize <strong>the</strong> land before, but <strong>the</strong> actions taken by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Co. were<br />
<strong>the</strong> first to attempt to turn <strong>the</strong> area into a full-fledged city.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> was just one <strong>of</strong> many Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California towns that was established during <strong>the</strong> 1880s<br />
land boom. The EL&T Co. immediately opened a San Diego <strong>of</strong>fice and began building a 100-room<br />
hotel in <strong>Escondido</strong>. Proceeds from <strong>the</strong>ir first land sales were used to bring <strong>the</strong> railroad to <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
thus ensuring <strong>the</strong>ir community would grow and prosper.<br />
Offering free land to anyone who would build a church or school, <strong>the</strong> young community soon had<br />
an elementary school (<strong>the</strong> Lime Street School), a large seminary built by <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California (USC) for $75,000, and several churches. The EL&T Co. also sponsored <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> a<br />
local newspaper, The <strong>Escondido</strong> Times. The newspaper was used initially as an advertising tool targeting<br />
mid-western farmers, luring <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>Escondido</strong>’s perfect year-round growing season.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> was described as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most prosperous and rapidly growing colonies in sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California. Two years after <strong>the</strong> EL&T Co. was formed, <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was incorporated on<br />
October 8, 1888. Local voters approved incorporation 64-19. The population was approximately 500.<br />
The city grew slowly but steadily, as an agricultural center ideal for grapes, citrus and later for avocados.<br />
Eventually, <strong>Escondido</strong> became <strong>the</strong> commercial center serving North San Diego County and encouraged<br />
banks and financial institutions to locate here. Both World Wars contributed to an influx <strong>of</strong> people<br />
and a labor force, light industries began moving in, and <strong>the</strong> groves and vineyards gave way to housing.<br />
8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Early <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
In 1886, <strong>the</strong> townspeople stood in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> weeds <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue as <strong>the</strong> cornerstone was laid for <strong>the</strong> Bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
(still standing) on <strong>the</strong> northwest corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue and Broadway. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel is under construction on <strong>the</strong> hill in<br />
<strong>the</strong> background.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 9
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Land<br />
and Town Company set<br />
up business first in San<br />
Diego. They <strong>the</strong>n opened<br />
this <strong>of</strong>fice in <strong>the</strong> Bank <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> building in<br />
1887. Next door was <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Marcos<br />
Land Company; Jacob<br />
Gruendike was <strong>the</strong><br />
principle stockholder in<br />
both companies.<br />
1 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
A view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel under construction in 1886. When completed, <strong>the</strong> hotel had one hundred rooms and was <strong>the</strong> location<br />
<strong>of</strong> many community celebrations.<br />
Construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> railroad between Oceanside and <strong>Escondido</strong> began in early 1887 and was completed by <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> December<br />
that same year. This photograph was taken in <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 1888 before <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Santa Fe Depot. A boxcar sits on a<br />
siding north <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 1 1
On February 7, 1888, a sixteen-car excursion train pulled into town to celebrate <strong>the</strong> coming <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> railroad. According to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Times, at least three housand people attended <strong>the</strong> event, which included dinner, bands from <strong>Escondido</strong> and San Diego, and<br />
a “monster” tent featuring displays <strong>of</strong> fruit<br />
The construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> depot was completed in July 1888. It was located at <strong>the</strong> very west end <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue. In<br />
1984, <strong>the</strong> Depot was moved to Grape Day Park and is now one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> buildings in <strong>the</strong> museum complex <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center. This view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Depot was taken c. 1890.<br />
1 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Two little girls stand in an open field with downtown <strong>Escondido</strong> behind <strong>the</strong>m. The photograph was taken c. 1894 from <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>ast corner <strong>of</strong> 7th Avenue and Quince Street.<br />
A view <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue looking west from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel (<strong>the</strong> former Palomar Hospital site) in 1895. The first building on<br />
<strong>the</strong> left is <strong>the</strong> Rainey building. The spire from <strong>the</strong> First Methodist Church can been seen just beyond. The first building on <strong>the</strong> right<br />
is <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Cannery.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 1 3
Construction began on a<br />
dam in Bear <strong>Valley</strong> in<br />
September <strong>of</strong> 1894. The<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Irrigation District<br />
sold water bonds to pay for<br />
<strong>the</strong> construction. The water<br />
bond debt was finally paid<br />
<strong>of</strong>f on October 31, 1904. A<br />
celebration was in order and<br />
on September 9, 1905 Bond<br />
Burning Day was inaugurated.<br />
Everyone ga<strong>the</strong>red in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lime Street<br />
School to watch <strong>the</strong> water<br />
bonds go up in smoke.<br />
In 1905 people came from far and near to help <strong>Escondido</strong> celebrate <strong>the</strong>ir “Freedom” from <strong>the</strong> water bond debt. A procession started<br />
at <strong>the</strong> train depot and went east on Grand Avenue. Every visitor went home with a basket <strong>of</strong> free grapes. This celebration was<br />
commemorated each year until 1908 when <strong>the</strong> Grape Day festival began to be held annually.<br />
1 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
water canal more than a<br />
century ago was <strong>the</strong> first<br />
reliable means <strong>of</strong> supplying<br />
local water to early<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, but led to a<br />
bitter dispute over area<br />
water rights promised by<br />
<strong>the</strong> federal government to<br />
<strong>the</strong> local Indian tribes. More<br />
than fifty years <strong>of</strong> legal<br />
battles finally gave way to<br />
an impressive example <strong>of</strong><br />
camaraderie and teamwork<br />
between <strong>the</strong> local Indian<br />
bands and <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> that led to a<br />
historical settlement,<br />
agreeable to all parties and<br />
finalized by an act <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
United States Congress in<br />
2016.<br />
This c.1908 photograph was taken just west <strong>of</strong> Juniper Street, between 10th Avenue and Chestnut Street, looking toward Park Hill.<br />
The Hooper House to <strong>the</strong> left still stands today at 1006 South Juniper Street.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 1 5
The Beach House, built by Albert Beach in 1886 and still standing today, can be seen in this photograph taken from 8th Avenue,<br />
looking north on Juniper Street toward Grand Avenue in <strong>the</strong> early 1890s.<br />
Fumigating citrus trees with cyanide was an early form <strong>of</strong> pest control. This c.1890 photograph shows workers fumigating <strong>the</strong> trees<br />
at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel.<br />
1 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
During <strong>the</strong> rainy season, fording <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek was hazardous. A group <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> citizens banded toge<strong>the</strong>r and decided<br />
to build a wooden bridge in 1889. This is a photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lime Street Bridge, at what is now Broadway near Grape Day Park,<br />
looking sou<strong>the</strong>ast in 1895.<br />
The Stevenson Bro<strong>the</strong>rs General Merchants are making a delivery by horse-drawn wagon to this unidentified home, circa 1895.<br />
Note <strong>the</strong> dormer windows protruding from <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> home and <strong>the</strong> differing colors <strong>of</strong> shingles in <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>, as well as <strong>the</strong> clothing<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> period worn by <strong>the</strong> family<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 1 7
Then and Now<br />
Looking east down Grand Avenue from Tulip Street in 1903, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel can be seen in <strong>the</strong> distance. The Hotel and <strong>the</strong><br />
Train Depot were separated by a distance <strong>of</strong> one mile.<br />
Looking east down Grand Avenue from Tulip Street in 2018, <strong>the</strong> now vacant Palomar Hospital can be seen in <strong>the</strong> distance, built<br />
on <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel. Raymond Seraile photo.<br />
1 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Looking east along Grand Avenue from Maple Street in 1911, horses and motorized vehicles can be seen sharing <strong>the</strong> wide dirt road.<br />
Looking east along Grand Avenue from Maple Street today reveals that <strong>the</strong> former Bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> building lost its ornate<br />
architecture over <strong>the</strong> years, but <strong>the</strong> structure, itself, remains.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 1 9
Left: <strong>Escondido</strong> postcard c. 1950s.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> opposite page: Harry A. Erickson took<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1936 photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city and submitted<br />
hundreds <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r aerial photographs to <strong>the</strong><br />
Smithsonian Museum. Before drones with<br />
cameras became available and affordable,<br />
photographs were taken from <strong>the</strong> air through <strong>the</strong><br />
use <strong>of</strong> balloons, kites, blimps, airplanes,<br />
helicopters, and even pigeons. The first aerial<br />
photograph was taken in 1858.<br />
Below: Using his drone, city employee Ray<br />
Seraile took <strong>the</strong> current aerial photographs. The<br />
greatest challenges were finding <strong>the</strong> right spot to<br />
launch and photograph from and coping with<br />
trees that have grown over <strong>the</strong> years.<br />
This aerial photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> is also looking east, but it was taken in 2018. At <strong>the</strong> left edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photo-graph, <strong>the</strong> Transit Center<br />
covers <strong>the</strong> north side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> block along West <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway, with many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old eucalyptus trees still in place. Construction equipment<br />
can be seen on <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> former Police Headquarters near <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> page and freight cars stand on <strong>the</strong> railroad tracks, carrying<br />
freight as <strong>the</strong>y have for more than 130 years. Their destination is <strong>the</strong> silos belonging to Vitagold Brands, <strong>the</strong> only surviving poultry feed<br />
mill in <strong>the</strong> county. Raymond Seraile photograph.<br />
2 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
An aerial photograph <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> looking east in<br />
1936. Tree-lined Grand<br />
Avenue can be seen in <strong>the</strong><br />
center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bottom half <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> photograph. The train<br />
depot is barely visible on <strong>the</strong><br />
east side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> track, south<br />
<strong>of</strong> Grand. The next building<br />
to <strong>the</strong> east along Grand is a<br />
poultry and feed store,<br />
Hawthorne’s Country Store<br />
today. The hill at <strong>the</strong> far end<br />
<strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue is empty<br />
after <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel<br />
was demolished in 1925.<br />
An aerial photograph <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> looking east in<br />
1987. The two-story Police<br />
Head-quarters can be seen<br />
slightly to <strong>the</strong> left <strong>of</strong> center<br />
and, across <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway<br />
on <strong>the</strong> left side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
photograph stands <strong>the</strong> farm<br />
workers’ camp. On <strong>the</strong> right<br />
side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph, <strong>the</strong><br />
former site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> train depot<br />
can be seen as an empty lot<br />
between <strong>the</strong> grain silos and<br />
<strong>the</strong> train cars.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 2 1
Looking northwest from <strong>the</strong> grounds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first <strong>Escondido</strong> High School at 3rd Avenue and Hickory Street in 1915, <strong>the</strong> Schnack<br />
Apartments (later Trenton Apartments), built in 1912 at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 2nd Avenue and Kalmia, can be seen in <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph.<br />
The same view, looking<br />
northwest from <strong>the</strong> former<br />
grounds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> High School<br />
at 3rd and Hickory, incudes<br />
<strong>the</strong> Trenton Apartments, still<br />
standing on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong><br />
2nd Avenue and Kalmia<br />
Street, but now obscured<br />
by trees.<br />
2 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Looking west on Grand Avenue from Ivy Street c. 1969, lots <strong>of</strong> signage, streetlights, parking meters, and traffic made <strong>the</strong> downtown a<br />
vibrant place to spend time.<br />
Looking west on Grand Avenue from Ivy Street today reveals more trees, fewer signs, and no parking meters to give <strong>the</strong> downtown a<br />
more sedate look.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 2 3
Looking south from a hillside just north <strong>of</strong> Mary Lane in 1972. San Pasqual High School can be seen under construction. The bridge<br />
over Lake Hodges can be found toward <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph.<br />
Looking south from a hillside just north <strong>of</strong> Mary Lane in 2018. San Pasqual High School construction has long since been completed<br />
and <strong>the</strong> campus includes additional buildings. The shopping mall and Kit Carson Park can be seen to <strong>the</strong> right and residential areas can<br />
be seen covering <strong>the</strong> hillsides, surrounded by trees. Raymond Seraile photograph.<br />
2 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
This plat map from 1886 shows <strong>Escondido</strong> as it was originally laid out. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company looked toward a future<br />
<strong>of</strong> homes, schools, churches, and ranches and created <strong>the</strong> impetus to quickly make <strong>the</strong> "<strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong>" a thriving town. They hired<br />
surveyor O. N. Sanford to plot <strong>Escondido</strong> townsite lots and five- and ten-acre valley ranches.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 2 5
The map above shows <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> as it was in 1955. The boundaries had changed little sixty-seven years after incorporation<br />
2 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
This 2018 map shows <strong>the</strong> lot lines within <strong>the</strong> city’s current boundaries with <strong>the</strong> 1955 boundaries overlaid in yellow at <strong>the</strong> center. It’s<br />
obvious that <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has grown exponentially over <strong>the</strong> last sixty-four years! Provided by <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>, Geographic<br />
Information Systems Division.<br />
C h a p t e r 1 F 2 7
Chapter 2<br />
Community<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Duck<br />
Derby <strong>of</strong> 1942, was sponsored<br />
by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Woman’s Ambulance &<br />
Transportation Corps, and<br />
was meant to raise <strong>the</strong><br />
spirits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community<br />
during World War II.<br />
Andy Andreasen, <strong>the</strong> City<br />
Police Judge, <strong>of</strong>ficiated at<br />
<strong>the</strong> event. The girls with<br />
<strong>the</strong> ducks are (from left<br />
to right): Pamela Baudy,<br />
Natalie Wilder, Leona<br />
Marin, and Eileen Beckley.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has a rich history <strong>of</strong> people <strong>of</strong> diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, coming<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r as a community and that diversity continues to be one <strong>of</strong> its strongest features today. From<br />
<strong>the</strong> beginning, when pioneering families settled in this hidden valley, it grew steadily with a boom in<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1950s and it continued growing with a population that exceeds 145,000 today. Housing for <strong>the</strong><br />
expanding population has brought a variety <strong>of</strong> building methods and styles that has created a great<br />
diversity <strong>of</strong> neighborhoods and <strong>of</strong>ten among individual homes within those neighborhoods.<br />
We are also a community <strong>of</strong> faith. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company donated land to<br />
churches in <strong>Escondido</strong>’s early days and, since <strong>the</strong>n, churches <strong>of</strong> many denominations have continued<br />
to multiply and expand here. Several significant faith-based events have occurred over <strong>the</strong> years,<br />
including <strong>the</strong> observance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Day <strong>of</strong> Prayer.<br />
Schools and <strong>the</strong> way education is delivered have transitioned over <strong>the</strong> years. From <strong>the</strong> first elementary<br />
school and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> USC seminary, a strong school system has grown. Public schools<br />
and, more recently, charter schools and options for home schooling give families a wider variety <strong>of</strong> choices.<br />
We care about our past, as well. A strong historic preservation program, instituted in 1992,<br />
created <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Neighborhood Historic District and is protecting and preserving our built<br />
history throughout <strong>the</strong> city, while <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center and <strong>the</strong> Library’s Pioneer Room<br />
maintain vast collections <strong>of</strong> photographs, documents, and artifacts.<br />
2 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
From <strong>the</strong> earliest times, community members came toge<strong>the</strong>r to form clubs and organizations, <strong>of</strong>fering social, networking, and<br />
community support opportunities. Community volunteers organized a variety <strong>of</strong> events over <strong>the</strong> years and sporting events, most <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
featuring school teams, have long been popular in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Housing<br />
In 1843, <strong>the</strong> Mexican government granted 12,653 acres <strong>of</strong> land—<strong>the</strong> “Rancho Rincon del Diablo”—to Juan Bautista Alvarado; <strong>the</strong><br />
area that was to become <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. This photograph is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ruins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adobe-brick built Alvarado home near presentday<br />
San Pasqual <strong>Valley</strong> Road and Bear <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 2 9
The Stewart House is <strong>the</strong><br />
oldest house standing in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>. Alexander Stewart<br />
disassembled his two-story<br />
Eastlake-style family home,<br />
built in Nova Scotia in 1865,<br />
and shipped it around Cape<br />
Horn to <strong>Escondido</strong>. He <strong>the</strong>n<br />
reassembled it in 1894 where<br />
it still stands today on 5th<br />
Avenue, near Hickory Street.<br />
Prior to <strong>the</strong> City’s<br />
incorporation, a brickyard<br />
was established along <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Creek and<br />
Chinese laborers were hired<br />
to prepare <strong>the</strong> bricks for<br />
firing in <strong>the</strong> kiln. Many<br />
early structures were made<br />
out <strong>of</strong> this material because<br />
it was readily available and<br />
less expensive than lumber<br />
that had to be shipped from<br />
<strong>the</strong> northwest. This home<br />
is an example <strong>of</strong> an early<br />
structure made from<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> brick. Built in<br />
1885 for Charles E. Thomas<br />
and his wife, Imogene, <strong>the</strong><br />
house still stands at 969<br />
West 3rd Avenue.<br />
3 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The Thomas-Turrentine house was built circa 1885 by George V. Thomas, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> five Thomas Bro<strong>the</strong>rs who founded <strong>the</strong> City<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. George was <strong>the</strong> manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Lumber Company and Brickyard. Possibly <strong>the</strong> oldest home originally built<br />
and still standing in <strong>Escondido</strong>, it was <strong>the</strong> oldest home continuously owned by a single family in <strong>the</strong> County <strong>of</strong> San Diego, not<br />
changing hands until it was sold in 2018.<br />
The Thomas-Turrentine<br />
House stands in this 2019<br />
photograph with new paint<br />
colors at its original<br />
location, <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> 5th Avenue and<br />
Kalmia Street. The house<br />
was added to <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Register <strong>of</strong> Historic places<br />
in 1992 and remains on<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s Local Register.<br />
The original two-story<br />
Victorian period, Queen<br />
Anne-style home was<br />
altered between 1896 and<br />
1907 with <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> a<br />
bay window on <strong>the</strong> south<br />
side. In 1908, a Classical<br />
Revival addition was built<br />
on <strong>the</strong> east side and <strong>the</strong><br />
second floor was expanded<br />
over <strong>the</strong> porch.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 3 1
“Palma Vista” was built by L. V. Boyle on what is today Boyle Avenue and Oak Hill Drive. It later became <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> John<br />
Whetstone family. Elsie, Roy and Clyde Whetstone are shown in <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house in this photograph, taken c. 1910.<br />
In 1911, Fred and Helen<br />
Hall built a 2-½ story,<br />
Craftsman-style home with<br />
Tudor elements on 10th<br />
Avenue near Maple Street.<br />
Here, <strong>the</strong> spacious living<br />
room can be seen, decorated<br />
for a card party in 1914.<br />
3 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Many houses were built along Grand Avenue<br />
and on o<strong>the</strong>r streets in <strong>the</strong> downtown area in<br />
early <strong>Escondido</strong>. In 1912, local photographer<br />
Peter Schnack built <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first apartment<br />
building on what is now 2nd Avenue. Built <strong>of</strong><br />
redwood, only <strong>the</strong> city’s citrus houses boasted<br />
more square footage. It featured 22 three- and<br />
four-room suites, as well as 10 single rooms, surrounding<br />
a central atrium. Renamed <strong>the</strong> Trenton<br />
Apartments after World War I, when all things<br />
German were frowned upon, <strong>the</strong> unique building<br />
still stands today.<br />
The idea <strong>of</strong> living downtown has become popular once again, and a relatively recent plan by city leaders to create more density in<br />
<strong>the</strong> downtown area has resulted in apartments under construction and planned for <strong>the</strong> downtown area, built to house thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
new residents. The Latitude 33 Apartment Community, at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Washington and Centre City Parkway is an example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
current trend in downtown living.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 3 3
The dramatic increase in population after World War II brought a housing boom to <strong>Escondido</strong> and <strong>the</strong> “mid-century” styles<br />
brought a new look to town. Mid-century modern homes with clean, simple styles, and ranch-style homes became popular. This<br />
ranch-style house was built in 1950 by B.A. Sweet, a partner in <strong>the</strong> Pine Tree Lumber Company. Photograph by Katalin Cowan.<br />
Having rented a small bungalow across East 7th Avenue for nearly seven years, Bud and Cordia Sayre bought <strong>the</strong> empty lot across<br />
<strong>the</strong> street in 1946, ready to build <strong>the</strong>ir own home. Bud, shown in <strong>the</strong> photograph on <strong>the</strong> left, utilized <strong>Escondido</strong> granite rocks left<br />
on <strong>the</strong> lot and found elsewhere for free and learned how to split <strong>the</strong>m with a weed-burning torch in order build a lovely Colonial<br />
Revival bungalow with 14-inch thick walls. The photograph on <strong>the</strong> right shows <strong>the</strong> house as it appeared in 2007.<br />
3 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Thanks to L.R. Green and his Adobe Block Company, <strong>the</strong> Weir Bro<strong>the</strong>rs and o<strong>the</strong>r builders were able to utilize this ancient building<br />
material, making it popular again in <strong>the</strong> mid-twentieth century. Green Ranch and Longview Acres in south <strong>Escondido</strong> were adjacent<br />
subdivisions made up entirely <strong>of</strong> adobe homes. Many o<strong>the</strong>rs were built around <strong>the</strong> city and, as a result, <strong>Escondido</strong> has more adobe homes<br />
than any o<strong>the</strong>r city in California. This photograph shows adobe blocks drying at L. R. Green’s adobe brickyard along Highway 395<br />
(I-15) in 1949.<br />
The “Castle House,” built for James and<br />
Gretchen Jackson in 1964 on Palmas Avenue, is a<br />
Weir Bro<strong>the</strong>rs adobe home, uniquely dominated<br />
by an exterior welcoming turret. In this case, <strong>the</strong><br />
bricks were made on site.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 3 5
Faith<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company gave<br />
free land to any congregation that wanted to<br />
build a church here. Seven faiths accepted <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong>fer and, in 1886, <strong>the</strong> Methodist Episcopal<br />
Church was <strong>the</strong> first to build, choosing <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue and Ivy Street. The<br />
church was sold in <strong>the</strong> 1920s to <strong>the</strong> first Grace<br />
Lu<strong>the</strong>ran Church. Prior to being torn down in<br />
<strong>the</strong> late 1960s, <strong>the</strong> building was <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong><br />
Georgia Copeland’s School <strong>of</strong> Dance.<br />
More than three hundred San Diego County Adventists attending a conference posed for this photograph in 1914. The church, built in<br />
1887 for a Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Methodist congregation, was sold to <strong>the</strong> Seventh Day Adventists in 1900. In 2005, <strong>the</strong> Iglesia Monte de los Olivos, a<br />
non-denominational Latino congregation, purchased <strong>the</strong> building that still stands today on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 4th Avenue and Orange Street.<br />
3 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Mennonite Brethren Church,<br />
known also as Bethania Mennonite Brethren<br />
Church, was founded in <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1908 by<br />
Elder Abraham Schellenberg. The small Germanspeaking<br />
Mennonite colony remained in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> for 10 years and had a congregation <strong>of</strong><br />
approximately 70 people. Mennonite churches<br />
are identifiable by <strong>the</strong> two entry doors; one for<br />
men and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r for women. The building was<br />
sold in 1921 and its exact location is unknown.<br />
In 1931, a large group <strong>of</strong> Filipino workers began meeting in homes and rented halls to study <strong>the</strong> scriptures and share <strong>the</strong>ir newfound<br />
faith in God. By 1936 <strong>the</strong>y bought and renovated a small saw-sharpening shop located at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 401 West Grand Avenue<br />
and South Orange Street. The congregation named <strong>the</strong>ir church “Calvary Lighthouse Mission.” In 1946, <strong>the</strong> congregation sold <strong>the</strong><br />
property and constructed a new church at 950 E. Ohio Street and <strong>the</strong> church was renamed “Calvary Assembly.” Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong><br />
church was destroyed by a suspicious fire in 2014, but eventually rebuilt and reopened for services by 2018. In this 1941 photograph,<br />
<strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Calvary Mission congregation bid farewell to <strong>the</strong>ir pastor.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 3 7
Franklin Graham, son <strong>of</strong> well-known minister Billy Graham, launched his “Decision America.” California Tour in <strong>Escondido</strong> In May<br />
2017. Standing on a stage in Grape Day Park in front <strong>of</strong> approximately ten thousand people, Graham mentioned his early days,<br />
accompanying his famous fa<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>Escondido</strong> when <strong>the</strong>y visited friends in <strong>the</strong> area. Photo courtesy <strong>of</strong> Billy Graham Evangelistic<br />
Association. Used with permission.<br />
A 4-½-ton statue <strong>of</strong><br />
Buddha, made <strong>of</strong> rare dark<br />
jade, and valued at $5<br />
million was displayed in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 2010 on its<br />
first stop in a U.S. tour,<br />
intended to spread peace and<br />
happiness. The 8-foot, 10-<br />
inch statue was displayed at<br />
both Grape Day Park and <strong>the</strong><br />
Phap Vuong Monastery.<br />
3 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In 2010, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council gave a Proclamation for October 27, 2010 to be named "Day <strong>of</strong> Peace” and placed a Peace Pole<br />
in Grape Day Park. More Peace Poles followed and, as <strong>of</strong> 2018, <strong>the</strong>re are 11 Peace Poles located in <strong>the</strong> City, this one located at <strong>the</strong> First<br />
United Methodist Church. The purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pole is to be a symbol <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dream for Peace in our hearts, lives, homes, schools and city.<br />
The community organization, “DOVE,” (Dreaming <strong>of</strong> a Violence Free <strong>Escondido</strong>) has challenged each business, organization, place <strong>of</strong><br />
worship and school to erect a peace pole in solidarity with this message.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 3 9
Education<br />
Among <strong>the</strong> first buildings constructed in <strong>the</strong> new town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was an elementary school named <strong>the</strong> Lime Street School. Situated<br />
in what is now Grape Day Park, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek ran behind <strong>the</strong> school but <strong>the</strong> sandy shores <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> creek did not provide an adequate<br />
foundation; <strong>the</strong> building was deemed unsafe in 1909 and torn down. A new school was built on 5th Avenue at Broadway in 1910.<br />
Central School was built in 1938 at <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> previously demolished Fifth Avenue School. In November 2014, <strong>Escondido</strong> voters<br />
passed Proposition E, a $181.2 million bond measure that meant new buildings and modernization for Central School, but many historical<br />
features were left intact, including murals in <strong>the</strong> multipurpose room, “cloak closets” inside <strong>the</strong> older classrooms, and <strong>the</strong> classic original<br />
look <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> older buildings that allow access to individual classrooms via indoor corridors.<br />
4 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Built by <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California<br />
(USC) as a college in 1888, <strong>the</strong> large gothic brick<br />
building became <strong>the</strong> first <strong>Escondido</strong> High School<br />
in 1894. Because <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek was <strong>the</strong><br />
only place to swim at that time and it would dry<br />
up at <strong>the</strong> peak <strong>of</strong> every summer, <strong>the</strong> high school<br />
boys took it upon <strong>the</strong>mselves to dig a hole, by<br />
hand, for a swimming pool that was sorely<br />
needed in this hot inland valley. It took two years<br />
for <strong>the</strong> boys to dig <strong>the</strong> hole large enough and <strong>the</strong><br />
school board had <strong>the</strong> big basin coated with<br />
concrete in 1909. At <strong>the</strong> time, <strong>the</strong> boys and <strong>the</strong><br />
girls <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> used <strong>the</strong> pool separately and<br />
this photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> boys cooling <strong>of</strong>f in <strong>the</strong> pool<br />
was taken circa 1912.<br />
By 1927, <strong>the</strong> first <strong>Escondido</strong> High School was no longer big enough to accommodate <strong>the</strong> growing number <strong>of</strong> students. A new high<br />
school was built that same year just down <strong>the</strong> block at 4th Avenue and Hickory Street. On <strong>the</strong> first day <strong>of</strong> class, <strong>the</strong> students walked with<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir chairs from <strong>the</strong> old school to <strong>the</strong> new school. This photograph shows <strong>the</strong> “new school” in 1938. This school was condemned in 1955<br />
and a newer school, which is <strong>the</strong> current <strong>Escondido</strong> High School, was built on North Broadway.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 4 1
John Paul <strong>the</strong> Great Catholic University opened in 2006 and moved to <strong>Escondido</strong> in 2013, first occupying <strong>the</strong> former J.C. Penney’s store<br />
on Grand Avenue. The University has grown steadily and has purchased multiple properties along Grand and in <strong>the</strong> Downtown area, to allow<br />
more classroom space as well as housing for students seeking degree programs in communications media, business, and <strong>the</strong> humanities.<br />
There was no Reformed seminary in <strong>the</strong><br />
western part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States until Westminster<br />
Seminary California (WSC) welcomed its first<br />
students in <strong>the</strong> fall <strong>of</strong> 1980, committing itself to<br />
providing <strong>the</strong> finest in <strong>the</strong>ological education. With<br />
an established a campus featuring an extensive<br />
library, a comprehensive curriculum, and a full<br />
faculty <strong>of</strong> teachers who were both experienced<br />
pastors and experts in <strong>the</strong>ir academic disciplines,<br />
WSC has attracted students from all over <strong>the</strong><br />
United States and many foreign countries.<br />
Westminster Seminary California Photograph<br />
4 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Historic Preservation<br />
By <strong>the</strong> 1980s, a heavy concentration <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s earliest homes could still be found<br />
standing in <strong>the</strong> neighborhood south <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s historic Downtown, but <strong>the</strong> area had<br />
fallen into serious decay and <strong>the</strong> potential for<br />
demolition posed a significant threat. With <strong>the</strong><br />
help <strong>of</strong> Councilmember and <strong>the</strong>n Mayor Doris<br />
Thurston, it was designated <strong>the</strong> city’s first<br />
Neighborhood Group in 1988. The founders <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Neighborhood Group can be<br />
seen in <strong>the</strong> 1992 photograph on <strong>the</strong> left. Shown<br />
are (from left to right): Margaret Moir, Sharon<br />
Kramer, Doris Thurston, and Ginny Leighton. Old<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District Photograph.<br />
The City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was designated a<br />
Certified Local Government (CLG), by <strong>the</strong><br />
California Office <strong>of</strong> Historic Preservation in<br />
1989, after six women, all dedicated and<br />
persistent historic preservationists, spent more<br />
than eight years convincing <strong>the</strong> city to apply for<br />
<strong>the</strong> distinctive Federal preservation program. As<br />
a CLG, <strong>Escondido</strong> is responsible for designating,<br />
saving, and protecting historic structures<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> city. In <strong>the</strong> photograph are three<br />
women who were instrumental in establishing<br />
<strong>the</strong> program (from left to right): Mable<br />
Dalrymple, Harriett Church, and Margaret Eller.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>rs who were vital in creating <strong>the</strong> program<br />
included Dorothy Mortensen, Meg Mount,<br />
Janean Young, and Lucy Berk.<br />
Dedicated historic preservationist and local historian Lucy Berk served on <strong>the</strong> Historic<br />
Preservation Commission from its inception until she stepped down in 2012. Her contributions in<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> preserving <strong>Escondido</strong>’s history, both in tangible structures that were saved and protected, as<br />
well as by documentation, are immeasurable.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 4 3
The Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District was established by <strong>the</strong> City Council in 1992 and is comprised <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s oldest neighborhood,<br />
with homes in a variety <strong>of</strong> styles dating back to 1886. The neighborhood has held home tours to raise funds and awareness for more than<br />
thirty years. The photograph on <strong>the</strong> left is from June 1990. The annual Mo<strong>the</strong>rs Day Home Tour, as shown in <strong>the</strong> 2018 photograph on <strong>the</strong><br />
right, has become a tradition for many families. Photographs courtesy <strong>of</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District<br />
Inarguably <strong>the</strong> most notable house in <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District is <strong>the</strong> Beach House, located at 7th Avenue and Juniper Street.<br />
Lovingly restored, beginning in 1998, by art dealer Harry Parashis and his wife Letitia with guidance from San Diego’s Save Our Heritage<br />
Organization, <strong>the</strong> Queen Anne Victorian, built in 1896, stands out today as <strong>the</strong> Crown Jewel <strong>of</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong>. The Beach House is on<br />
both <strong>the</strong> National Register <strong>of</strong> Historic Places, as well as on <strong>the</strong> Local Register, here in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
4 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Clubs & Organizations<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has been <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> fraternal and<br />
service clubs over <strong>the</strong> years. In <strong>Escondido</strong>, <strong>the</strong><br />
Kiwanis Club was <strong>the</strong> first service organization<br />
formed, just a few weeks before <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Rotary Club, both having been established in<br />
1924. This photograph shows <strong>the</strong> men <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Kiwanis Club at one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir lunch meetings at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Charlotta Hotel in 1935.<br />
The unique East End Club was organized in 1907 by women who lived on isolated ranches at <strong>the</strong> east end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> valley<br />
and its sole purpose was to create opportunities to streng<strong>the</strong>n friendships. Remarkably, <strong>the</strong> East End Club still exists today, making it <strong>the</strong><br />
oldest social organization in <strong>Escondido</strong>. In celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> club’s 100th anniversary, members posed for this photograph at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center on May 11, 2007.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 4 5
Founded in 1924, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Country Club started with a stone clubhouse and course built by <strong>the</strong> members’ own hands, but<br />
<strong>the</strong> property was sold during <strong>the</strong> depression. Re-established in 1965, <strong>the</strong> manicured grass, majestic trees, and welcoming facilities <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> new <strong>Escondido</strong> Country Club property provided beauty and value to create one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most treasured neighborhoods in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
The clubhouse and golf course closed in 2013 and <strong>the</strong> property was sold to a Los Angeles developer with plans to build homes. While<br />
<strong>the</strong> owners <strong>of</strong> surrounding homes and <strong>the</strong> developers continued to disagree over plans for <strong>the</strong> property, a fire destroyed <strong>the</strong> clubhouse<br />
in 2017 and <strong>the</strong> controversy continues.<br />
Started in 2006, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Charitable<br />
Foundation’s mission is to increase responsible<br />
and effective philanthropy through annual<br />
grants to charitable nonpr<strong>of</strong>its serving <strong>the</strong><br />
residents <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. Through <strong>the</strong> generosity<br />
<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> its members, The <strong>Escondido</strong> Charitable<br />
Foundation is donating a community gateway<br />
arch to <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> in 2019. Artist’s<br />
conception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arch provided by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Charitable Foundation.<br />
4 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek Conservancy was incorporated in 1991 with a mission to preserve and<br />
restore <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek watershed. Since that time, <strong>the</strong> Conservancy has helped preserve<br />
more than four thousand acres <strong>of</strong> land. The Conservancy also provides outdoor education<br />
programs for 3,500 youth and adults every year as in this photograph showing students releasing<br />
trout as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Conservancy’s 2018 Trout in <strong>the</strong> Classroom program. <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek<br />
Conservancy photograph.<br />
Interfaith Community Services was founded in 1979 by a handful <strong>of</strong> diverse faith communities to address <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> low-income,<br />
homeless, and under-served people in North San Diego County. Over <strong>the</strong> years, Interfaith has evolved into a broad variety <strong>of</strong> programs<br />
and services that assist people in crisis to stabilize and rebuild <strong>the</strong>ir lives.<br />
In 1989, leaders from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Union<br />
and <strong>Escondido</strong> Union High School Districts,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce, and <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> formed an organization committed to<br />
developing and implementing community-wide<br />
programs to support youth, calling it Education<br />
COMPACT, for “Creating Opportunities, Making<br />
Partnerships and Connecting Teens. In <strong>the</strong><br />
photograph from 2015, COMPACT staff and<br />
youth pose with <strong>Escondido</strong> Police Chief, Craig<br />
Carter, at <strong>the</strong> ribbon cutting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new high<br />
visibility crosswalk at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Ash Street and<br />
Mission Avenue. This crosswalk was <strong>the</strong> numberone<br />
priority identified by Mission Park residents to<br />
improve <strong>the</strong>ir kids’ Safe Route to School. <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
COMPACT Photograph.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 4 7
Sports<br />
In 1908, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> High School (EHS)<br />
football team played remarkably well,<br />
considering none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> young men had played<br />
football before. EHS played San Diego’s Russ<br />
High School twice and won both times. The<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r county team was comprised <strong>of</strong> men from<br />
<strong>the</strong> San Diego Y.M.C.A., whose members’<br />
individual average weight was greater than that<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high schoolers, but EHS held <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />
and lost by only four points.<br />
This giant bonfire in 1949 was representative <strong>of</strong> school and<br />
community spirit before <strong>the</strong> annual <strong>Escondido</strong> High School football<br />
game with <strong>the</strong>ir rival, Oceanside High School. The week before <strong>the</strong><br />
big game, boys from EHS would leave school early to ga<strong>the</strong>r wood <strong>of</strong><br />
any kind, from trees to outhouses, and it was piled in <strong>the</strong> baseball<br />
field just west <strong>of</strong> Grape Day Park. The pep rally began at <strong>the</strong> high<br />
school campus on 4th Avenue and Hickory Street when <strong>the</strong> students<br />
held hands, formed a serpentine chain, and ran from <strong>the</strong> school<br />
down Grand Avenue to <strong>the</strong> park, where <strong>the</strong>y met up with <strong>the</strong> pep<br />
band, cheerleaders, football players, and o<strong>the</strong>rs to cheer and chant<br />
before <strong>the</strong> big bonfire was ignited.<br />
4 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Baseball games were played on a field at <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> 4th Avenue and Spruce Street.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s town team aided greatly in <strong>the</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> several players who went on to<br />
play pr<strong>of</strong>essionally. Outstanding among <strong>the</strong><br />
local players were <strong>the</strong> Coscarart bro<strong>the</strong>rs. The<br />
oldest, Joe, eventually played for <strong>the</strong> Boston<br />
Braves, Steve played minor league baseball at<br />
Kansas City, and Pete, <strong>the</strong> youngest, played for<br />
<strong>the</strong> Brooklyn Dodgers. In this 1925 photograph<br />
are, top row (from left to right): Ted Wright, Hal<br />
Finney, Joe Coscarart, Lefty Hunt, Richard<br />
Spaulding, Sam Kolb, Dan McGrew. Bottom row<br />
(from left to right): Rupert Baldridge, Felix<br />
Quisquis, Steve Coscarart, Lloyd Babley, Dean<br />
Oliver, Marcus Alto, Pete Coscarart.<br />
This 1941 photograph shows <strong>the</strong> “Fordettes,” a local girl’s baseball team that was formed to keep <strong>the</strong> baseball tradition alive in <strong>the</strong><br />
absence <strong>of</strong> many men during World War II. The Fordettes, sponsored by Homer Heller Ford, played in an all-female league with o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
teams from around Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 4 9
<strong>Escondido</strong> was a s<strong>of</strong>tball town in <strong>the</strong> 1950s<br />
and ’60s. They called it Night Ball and each<br />
summer, life revolved around Finney Field,<br />
adjacent to Grape Day Park. This was <strong>the</strong> first<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tball field built with lights in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Watching from <strong>the</strong> stands or from an<br />
automobile was a favorite summer time activity<br />
for all ages. Finney field was named after Harold<br />
Finney, <strong>the</strong> man who helped form <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Night Ball Association in 1927 and<br />
served as its president for 27 years.<br />
The 1981 <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
National Little League All-<br />
Stars, standing on <strong>the</strong> steps<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center <strong>of</strong>fice, were <strong>the</strong> only<br />
undefeated team that went to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Little League World<br />
Series that year in South<br />
Westport, Pennsylvania.<br />
They were <strong>the</strong> Western Little<br />
League Champions and it<br />
was <strong>the</strong> first team from San<br />
Diego County to reach <strong>the</strong><br />
Series since La Mesa won it<br />
in 1961. Even though <strong>the</strong><br />
team lost, when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
returned home <strong>the</strong>re was<br />
plenty <strong>of</strong> Little League spirit<br />
and town pride. The players<br />
were: Alex Borboa, Brett<br />
Salisbury, Russell Brooke,<br />
Frank Escalante, Nick Scales,<br />
Gary Larrabee, Bobby<br />
Esposito, Kelly Simpson,<br />
Jason Hobbs, Mike Hopkins,<br />
Peter Villalobos, Gary Kinch,<br />
and John Moran. The coach<br />
was Mike Pumar.<br />
5 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Events<br />
In 1917, two circuses paraded <strong>the</strong>ir animals,<br />
bands and performers down Grand Avenue, two<br />
days in a row. Al G. Barnes Wild Animal Circus<br />
performed on March 9, 1917, and Cole Bro<strong>the</strong>rs’<br />
Big Three-Ring Trained Wild Animal Show<br />
appeared <strong>the</strong> following day. Each gave an<br />
afternoon and evening tent show, following <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
parade. Pictured is <strong>the</strong> Cole Bro<strong>the</strong>rs’ troop <strong>of</strong><br />
animals and performers. The Cole Bros. Circus<br />
was founded in 1884 and, in 1939, was <strong>the</strong> last<br />
circus to feature a horse-drawn parade. As <strong>of</strong><br />
2014, Cole Bros. Circus was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few<br />
traditional circuses in <strong>the</strong> U.S. to perform under<br />
<strong>the</strong> “Big Top” tent, but just two years later was<br />
seriously struggling, apparently in response to<br />
animal rights activists protesting <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
animals in live performances.<br />
At each Grape Day Parade, vehicles were backed into position against <strong>the</strong> curbs along <strong>the</strong> Grand Avenue parade route so that <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
occupants could comfortably watch <strong>the</strong> procession pass by. The parade was a highlight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festival, which began in 1908<br />
and was in its heyday in <strong>the</strong> 1920s and ’30s, when it drew up to 30,000 spectators annually. This photograph, taken from a ro<strong>of</strong>top<br />
perch, shows <strong>the</strong> parade in 1926.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 5 1
Celebrating <strong>the</strong>ir first-place prize at <strong>the</strong> county fair, <strong>the</strong> Pio Mighetto Winery entered this float in <strong>the</strong> 1939 Grape Day Parade. The<br />
float included a cask <strong>of</strong> wine, supported by a giant mound <strong>of</strong> grapes, in addition to four beautiful young women who posed gracefully<br />
while holding <strong>the</strong> fair’s first-place silver trophy above <strong>the</strong>ir heads.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festival was revived in 1996,<br />
Grape Day Royalty was selected using different criteria<br />
than in its early days and choices were based on<br />
service to <strong>the</strong> community. In 2003, two queens were<br />
selected, Ruth Thomas and Helen Heller, in honor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir many years <strong>of</strong> service in <strong>the</strong> Palomar Hospital<br />
Auxiliary and running <strong>the</strong> hospital gift shop.<br />
5 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
This 2018 photograph shows <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 8th annual Grape Day 5K in 2018 at Grand Avenue near Orange Street; from here <strong>the</strong><br />
participants followed <strong>the</strong> established course along Grand and south into <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Sunrise<br />
Rotary Club initiated <strong>the</strong> annual 5K event, which was initially scheduled in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festival, and benefits <strong>the</strong><br />
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More than 600 people participated in 2018, as did many spectators and local high school<br />
cheerleading squads, while <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Police Department re-routed traffic.<br />
Kit Carson Days, sponsored by <strong>the</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce, celebrated <strong>the</strong> opening <strong>of</strong> Kit Carson Park, in 1969. Colorado resident,<br />
Kit Carson III, 86-year-old grandson <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> famed frontiersman, was invited to <strong>the</strong> festivities. This photograph shows him speaking<br />
to <strong>the</strong> crowd. The three-day festival included Square and Western dancing, a horse show, talent contest, and barbecue. The event was<br />
celebrated for <strong>the</strong> last time <strong>the</strong> following year.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 5 3
In December <strong>of</strong> 2000, <strong>the</strong> Jaycees Christmas Parade<br />
celebrated its 50th anniversary with giant balloons. Rarely seen<br />
in this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country, <strong>the</strong> giant balloons made this<br />
landmark parade year very special. Members <strong>of</strong> local<br />
organizations were <strong>the</strong> balloon handlers with a quick hands-on<br />
training <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> parade. Each balloon was sponsored<br />
by a local business. “The Snowman” was sponsored by <strong>the</strong> Law<br />
Offices <strong>of</strong> Paleck & Skaja and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Rotary.<br />
It started in 1966 with 325 lights on a young deodar cedar.<br />
Eventually, this annual Christmas display blossomed into an<br />
awesome tree with 1,800 lights and Santa’s village in <strong>the</strong> front<br />
yard. John and Velma Myers decorated <strong>the</strong>ir front yard at 920<br />
East 5th Avenue for more than twenty-five years and attracted<br />
multiple generations <strong>of</strong> Escondidans, as well as holiday visitors<br />
from around <strong>the</strong> world. This holiday ritual came to an end in <strong>the</strong><br />
1990s after John Myers passed away, ironically <strong>the</strong> same year he<br />
was slated to be <strong>the</strong> grand marshal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jaycees Annual<br />
Christmas Parade.<br />
5 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In 1988, at <strong>the</strong> invitation <strong>of</strong> Congressman<br />
Ron Packard, George H.W. Bush visited<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> while campaigning for president. His<br />
campaign stop happened to fall in <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s centennial celebration and he spoke<br />
from <strong>the</strong> newly restored Santa Fe Depot in Grape<br />
Day Park. It’s interesting to note that his son,<br />
George W. Bush, would also visit <strong>Escondido</strong>, 19<br />
years later, to tour <strong>the</strong> 2007 Witch Fire disaster<br />
areas and thank <strong>the</strong> firefighters who had staged<br />
at Kit Carson Park.<br />
On February 22, 2009, <strong>Escondido</strong> hosted <strong>the</strong> finishing leg <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Amgen Tour <strong>of</strong> California, an annual, pr<strong>of</strong>essional cycling event on<br />
par with <strong>the</strong> Tour de France. More than 100,000 spectators ga<strong>the</strong>red along <strong>the</strong> race route that day, including tens <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> people<br />
along Grand Avenue. The Amgen Race would return in May <strong>of</strong> 2013, when <strong>Escondido</strong> hosted <strong>the</strong> starting leg <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tour, <strong>the</strong> first time<br />
<strong>the</strong> famous race ever started in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California, and headed north. Again, more than 100,000 spectators lined <strong>the</strong> route to watch<br />
<strong>the</strong> cyclists and it was broadcast around <strong>the</strong> world. This 2013 photograph provided courtesy <strong>of</strong> Amgen Tour <strong>of</strong> California.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 5 5
On Friday nights from April through September, Downtown sidewalks fill with more than 5,000 people <strong>of</strong> all ages, looking at <strong>the</strong><br />
pre-1970s cars displayed along both sides <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> streets and listening to live bands while old and new cars cruise up and down Grand<br />
Avenue. “Cruisin’ Grand” was initiated by car enthusiast and local merchant Steve Waldron; <strong>the</strong> well-loved tradition started on April<br />
7, 2000 and has brought more attention to <strong>Escondido</strong> than any o<strong>the</strong>r event in decades. In commemoration <strong>of</strong> 9/11, each September,<br />
Fire Truck Night brings dozens <strong>of</strong> old and new fire trucks out in full force and, high overhead, a very large American flag hangs from<br />
a fire truck’s extended ladder. This enhanced photograph <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> those occasions was taken by Heidi Hart in 2013 and entered into<br />
<strong>the</strong> City’s “Happy Birthday, <strong>Escondido</strong>” contest.<br />
Also satisfying <strong>the</strong> area’s hunger for vintage<br />
vehicle events, is <strong>the</strong> annual American Heritage<br />
Car Show, sponsored by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center. The Car Show has been bringing<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r enthusiasts to “park on <strong>the</strong> green” <strong>of</strong><br />
Grape Day Park since 1997. Photograph from<br />
<strong>the</strong> 2009 event.<br />
5 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
People<br />
A familiar <strong>Escondido</strong> sight at <strong>the</strong> turn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
twentieth century was San Pasqual Indian<br />
princess Felicita with her husband, Boley<br />
Morales, on <strong>the</strong>ir donkey. In 1906, <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
found destitute in an old hut in one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
canyons leading into San Pasqual <strong>Valley</strong>.<br />
Elizabeth Judsen Roberts befriended <strong>the</strong> couple,<br />
and cared for <strong>the</strong>m. She eventually wrote a<br />
book, Indian Stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Southwest, based on<br />
Felicita’s local accounts. Felicita died in 1916<br />
and, in 1920, a pageant was written in her<br />
honor. A county park now bears her name as<br />
does a street and several shopping centers.<br />
Scrap drives were a regular occurrence throughout World War II. As this delightful photograph from our archive illustrates, <strong>the</strong>se<br />
youngsters managed to make it fun. Loading up scrap metal for <strong>the</strong> war effort in <strong>the</strong>ir wagon, made from a citrus box and bike wheels<br />
and pulled by a goat, are Tom Hinrichs, George Payne, and Jerry Smith.<br />
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<strong>Escondido</strong>’s first barber, Leo Escher stands<br />
behind a wire fence with his pet goat in this c.<br />
1910 photograph. A native <strong>of</strong> Germany, he<br />
named <strong>the</strong> goat ”Glocke Baah” because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
bell that hung around its neck. “Glocke” is<br />
German for “bell.” “Baah” represented <strong>the</strong><br />
sound <strong>the</strong> goat made. Whenever Escher would<br />
sit down, this particular goat would climb up<br />
on his shoulders and Leo would walk around<br />
<strong>the</strong> property at ease, just as you see him in<br />
<strong>the</strong> photograph. With limited space on his<br />
property at 109 West 7th Avenue, Escher raised<br />
goats instead <strong>of</strong> cows for <strong>the</strong>ir milk and to<br />
make cheese.<br />
Known as <strong>the</strong> “Golden Greek,” Jim<br />
Londos was a pr<strong>of</strong>essional wrestler in <strong>the</strong><br />
1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. During his career,<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional wrestling was a big sport in<br />
this country, a genuine athletic event, not<br />
mere <strong>the</strong>ater. A resident <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for<br />
almost forty years, Londos retired from <strong>the</strong><br />
sport as world champion in 1946<br />
5 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Amateur astronomer Clarence Friend looks through <strong>the</strong> lens <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 16-inch<br />
telescope that he built in his backyard orange grove. From his backyard<br />
observatory, Friend became world-renowned as <strong>the</strong> discoverer <strong>of</strong> three comets<br />
that bear his name. He was also co-discoverer <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r comet and <strong>of</strong> a nova<br />
(new star) in <strong>the</strong> constellation <strong>of</strong> Puppis. His discoveries won him many<br />
accolades, including a membership in <strong>the</strong> Royal Astronomic Society <strong>of</strong> London,<br />
England; <strong>the</strong> most famous <strong>of</strong> all astronomers’ groups. Upon his death in 1965,<br />
his widow donated his telescope to Palomar College.<br />
Silent movie actor Billy Beven and his dog, Spot, pose in this 1927 photograph at his ranch in southwest <strong>Escondido</strong>. Well known<br />
as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early movies’ comical Keystone Cops, Beven purchased his 31-acre ranch in 1924 and planted 15 acres in citrus and<br />
<strong>the</strong>n more in avocados. Eventually he built a home and dubbed it “Rancho La Lomita.” He is credited with introducing <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
wind machines to combat frost in cold pockets <strong>of</strong> avocado and orange groves. The idea caught on and <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> wind machines was<br />
generally adopted by growers throughout <strong>the</strong> area.<br />
C h a p t e r 2 F 5 9
Chapter 3<br />
Commerce<br />
Grand Avenue was a<br />
bustling, vibrant place in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s early days.<br />
Businesses <strong>of</strong> all types<br />
lined <strong>the</strong> wide dirt road.<br />
This postcard, mailed in<br />
December 1911, shows<br />
<strong>the</strong> view from <strong>the</strong> 100<br />
west block toward <strong>the</strong><br />
east. Horse-drawn wagons<br />
share <strong>the</strong> road with<br />
automobiles and <strong>the</strong><br />
ornate Bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
building can be seen on<br />
<strong>the</strong> corner at <strong>the</strong> left.<br />
While <strong>the</strong> area had been farmed for many years, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company was<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s earliest commercial enterprise, a group <strong>of</strong> developers looking toward a future <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
businesses, homes, schools, churches, and ranches in this <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong>. They developed a clever<br />
marketing plan and it worked; a lumber company and brickyard were soon started to handle <strong>the</strong><br />
building surge. Blacksmiths and wheelwrights like Thomas Bandy and Alexander Stewart set up<br />
businesses to repair wagons and forge hardware and tools. The hospitality industry began with <strong>the</strong> 100-<br />
room <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel, built to accommodate <strong>the</strong> many early visitors. Later, as horse drawn wagons<br />
were replaced by automobiles, surfaced streets began to crisscross <strong>the</strong> County and by <strong>the</strong> 1940s, motor<br />
courts and motels became economical “homes away from home” for families seeing <strong>the</strong> country.<br />
Agriculture, started on early ranchos, continued to grow along with <strong>the</strong> city. Census reports from<br />
<strong>the</strong> early 20th century reflect an influx <strong>of</strong> farmers, especially from <strong>the</strong> East, Midwest, and Europe.<br />
Families like <strong>the</strong> Hillebrechts and <strong>the</strong> Henrys ran large farms on <strong>the</strong> outskirts <strong>of</strong> town, still operating<br />
today. Grapes were <strong>Escondido</strong>’s largest crop in <strong>the</strong> early days, later to be replaced by citrus fruit and<br />
avocados, but <strong>the</strong> fertile soil and mild wea<strong>the</strong>r meant that nearly everything could grow here. Edward<br />
Paul Grangetto, Sr., first arrived in <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1913 and, in 1952, he started Grangetto’s Farm and<br />
Garden Supply, still run by <strong>the</strong> Grangetto family today.<br />
Before <strong>the</strong> prohibition era, <strong>the</strong>re were at least a dozen wineries in <strong>Escondido</strong>, but only <strong>the</strong> Ferrara<br />
Winery survived beyond that time and it continued to operate until 2011. The historic site was taken<br />
6 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
over about six years later by new owners joining multiple new wineries in and around <strong>Escondido</strong>. Also becoming popular more<br />
recently are local craft breweries, <strong>the</strong> most successful and now thriving internationally, Stone Brewing Company.<br />
In time, o<strong>the</strong>r businesses needed by <strong>the</strong> growing township lined Grand Avenue in <strong>the</strong> Downtown. Pharmacies, general stores,<br />
restaurants, and markets featuring locally grown produce, brought commerce to <strong>Escondido</strong>. Services, like those provided by barbers<br />
and photographers, came along, as well.<br />
In later years, as <strong>the</strong> town continued to grow, malls became popular. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Village Mall, <strong>the</strong> Auto Park, and North County<br />
Fair brought numerous businesses into single shopping sites to make it easier for shoppers to spend <strong>the</strong>ir money.<br />
Truly diverse companies have made <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir home over <strong>the</strong> years. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner,<br />
a third-generation master German soapmaker, and it became a company respected world-wide; <strong>the</strong> headquarters and manufacturing plant operated<br />
here on West Mission from <strong>the</strong> 1960s until 2014 when it moved to Vista California. The Ken Blanchard Company, <strong>Escondido</strong> Disposal, and Alhiser-<br />
Comer Mortuary have all served <strong>the</strong> community for many years while relatively newer ventures like Trapeze High, a unique school for teaching <strong>the</strong><br />
art, have also become established.<br />
Transportation Industry<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company initiated <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> a rail line from Oceanside to <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1887 for hauling<br />
freight and to bring prospective settlers to <strong>the</strong> town. The Santa Fe Depot was built near <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Grand and Spruce Street, where<br />
this photograph was taken around 1890. Passenger service ended in 1945 and <strong>the</strong> depot was moved to its current site in Grape Day<br />
Park in 1984 when it was no longer needed for freight storage. A freight train continues to run through <strong>the</strong> area at night. The Sprinter,<br />
a 22-mile light rail system run by <strong>the</strong> North County Transit District, re-established passenger service with 15 stops along <strong>the</strong> way to<br />
Oceanside in 2008.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 6 1
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel, on <strong>the</strong> knoll <strong>of</strong> East Grand Avenue was<br />
built by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company in 1886 and<br />
purposely located at <strong>the</strong> east end <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue, across town<br />
from <strong>the</strong> railroad depot, to provide visitors with an opportunity<br />
to see more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lovely <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> before reaching <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
accommodations. The three-story building included 100 rooms.<br />
In this photograph from 1890, <strong>the</strong> stagecoach is carrying passengers and freight along <strong>the</strong> narrow dirt road that was <strong>the</strong> only link<br />
between San Diego and <strong>Escondido</strong>. The eight-hour trip would include a break for lunch in what is now Poway. Still unpaved by <strong>the</strong><br />
turn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth century, motor vehicles found it a challenge, but by 1910, <strong>the</strong>y would outnumber <strong>the</strong> horse-drawn wagons and<br />
<strong>the</strong> road was paved in 1920. The grade would eventually become part <strong>of</strong> Route 395, <strong>the</strong> only direct route from San Diego to <strong>the</strong><br />
Canadian border.<br />
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The Lake Hodges Dam was completed in 1918, flooding <strong>the</strong> area, and <strong>the</strong> Lake Hodges Bridge was added in 1919. In <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1960s, needed improvements and realignment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> road meant that <strong>the</strong> bridge was demolished and a new one built in 1969. That<br />
bridge, too, would be demolished and replaced again in 1981 when <strong>the</strong> route became I-15, and it was widened in 2006-2009. In<br />
2009, a second bridge across Lake Hodges, built for pedestrians and cyclists, was opened slightly to <strong>the</strong> west. When built, it was <strong>the</strong><br />
longest <strong>of</strong> its type in <strong>the</strong> world, designed for <strong>the</strong> least amount <strong>of</strong> impact on <strong>the</strong> sensitive habitats located <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
The newly built Highway 395 “freeway,” as shown in this 1959 photograph, is now Centre City Parkway. The palm trees had been<br />
planted along Grand Avenue in 1914. Route 395 was designated historic by <strong>the</strong> State <strong>of</strong> California in 2008.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 6 3
In 1945, railroad passenger service ended<br />
between <strong>Escondido</strong> and Oceanside. Homer<br />
Heller Company provided a station wagon to<br />
transport passengers between <strong>Escondido</strong> and<br />
Oceanside, beginning in September with four<br />
daily runs. As ridership increased, a pre-war<br />
school bus that Homer Heller whimsically<br />
labelled a “stage” came into use, later replaced<br />
by a regular transit bus.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has had three<br />
very small airports. The most<br />
significant was Engel Field,<br />
developed in 1942 by Anna<br />
von Seggern. Featuring two<br />
runways it was located on 60<br />
acres north <strong>of</strong> what was <strong>the</strong><br />
Talone Meat Packing plant, in<br />
<strong>the</strong> northwest part <strong>of</strong> town.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r sites for a larger airport<br />
were considered in <strong>the</strong><br />
1960s, but interest waned<br />
and Palomar Airport at<br />
Carlsbad was deemed close<br />
enough. Anna von Seggern,<br />
is shown in <strong>the</strong> photograph<br />
with her husband, John<br />
Engel, at <strong>the</strong> airport that bore<br />
his name.<br />
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Families enjoyed trips in <strong>the</strong> family car and<br />
multiple motor courts, less expensive than<br />
hotels and featuring convenient parking stalls<br />
near each unit, sprang up along <strong>the</strong> way. Several<br />
motor courts can still be found here, like this<br />
one on <strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard.<br />
Pine Tree Lumber Company owner B. A. Sweet used massive redwood timbers to build <strong>the</strong> Pine Tree Motor Lodge in a western<br />
ranch style in phases, between 1953 and 1958. Located at what is now Mission and Centre City Parkway, it was <strong>the</strong> first place to settle<br />
in as travelers came into town from <strong>the</strong> north. Sweet served on <strong>the</strong> City Council and also on <strong>the</strong> County Board <strong>of</strong> Supervisors when<br />
he wasn’t managing <strong>the</strong> lodge and running Pine Tree Lumber. His grandson, former state senator Mark Wyland, learned to swim in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Pine Tree Lodge swimming pool.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 6 5
Located adjacent to <strong>the</strong> Pine Tree Motor Lodge, <strong>the</strong> Wagon Wheel Restaurant was a popular place to eat for locals and travelers<br />
alike from 1953 until 2014. When <strong>the</strong> Charger football team’s practice field was located in <strong>Escondido</strong> during <strong>the</strong> 1960s, <strong>the</strong> team<br />
members <strong>of</strong>ten ate breakfast here. Numerous celebrities dined here, as well, including Robert Young, Jim Kennedy, and Dale<br />
Robertson. The “sputnik” was added to a cupola, and later plywood horses added to <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>, making <strong>the</strong> restaurant truly unique.<br />
The horses blew over in a windstorm and <strong>the</strong> sputnik mysteriously disappeared after <strong>the</strong> restaurant closed. The Wagon Wheel<br />
Restaurant and <strong>the</strong> Pine Tree Lodge were both demolished in 2017 to make room for a shopping center and carwash.<br />
The Car Hop Drive-In Café was built in<br />
<strong>the</strong> early ’40s at 314 East Grand Avenue. The<br />
place to hang out after school, games, and<br />
dances, it was so popular that cars usually<br />
parked three deep. When <strong>the</strong> first car in line<br />
was ready to leave, <strong>the</strong> two cars behind<br />
would have to pull out and <strong>the</strong>n drive back<br />
in. This photograph was taken c. 1945; <strong>the</strong><br />
business closed by 1964.<br />
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Agriculture<br />
Agriculture was <strong>Escondido</strong>’s most significant<br />
money maker in <strong>the</strong> early years. Its growth<br />
depended on <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bear<br />
<strong>Valley</strong> Dam, and <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> a water<br />
system was completed in 1895. In time, <strong>the</strong><br />
formation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Mutual Water<br />
Company stabilized <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> water to<br />
most ranches, farms, and homes that<br />
functioned without wells. With water, <strong>the</strong><br />
grape industry expanded.<br />
The construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> reservoir<br />
and canal more than a century ago was <strong>the</strong> first<br />
reliable means <strong>of</strong> supplying local water to early<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, but led to a bitter dispute over area<br />
water rights promised by <strong>the</strong> federal<br />
government to <strong>the</strong> local Indian tribes. More<br />
than 50 years <strong>of</strong> legal battles finally gave way to<br />
an impressive example <strong>of</strong> camaraderie and<br />
teamwork between <strong>the</strong> local Indian bands and<br />
<strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> that led to a historical<br />
settlement, agreeable to all parties and finalized<br />
by an act <strong>of</strong> Congress in 2016.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 6 7
Lewis B. Boyle irrigated his orange trees using a wooden water flume. His property and house were on Boyle Avenue near Midway<br />
Street and Oakhill Drive.<br />
Grapes thrived in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> soil and climate and <strong>the</strong> Muscats grown here were considered <strong>the</strong> sweetest tasting anywhere. Here, a<br />
group pauses for a photograph while picking grapes in 1910.<br />
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The <strong>Escondido</strong> Lemon Association was <strong>the</strong><br />
largest citrus grower in <strong>the</strong> state and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
packing plant, seen here in 1928, was located at<br />
Tulip and Del Dios Road. Designed in <strong>the</strong><br />
Mission Revival style by architect J. Rex Murray,<br />
it was <strong>the</strong> largest packing house under one ro<strong>of</strong><br />
in <strong>the</strong> citrus belt. More than 800,000 field boxes<br />
<strong>of</strong> lemons were processed here annually.<br />
Inside <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Lemon Association packing house, lemons were washed and graded. Many women were employed in <strong>the</strong><br />
plant, which was <strong>the</strong> largest employer in <strong>the</strong> city at <strong>the</strong> time. In <strong>the</strong> photo, you can see recently picked lemons packed into boxes in<br />
<strong>the</strong> fields and stacked prior to processing.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 6 9
In addition to <strong>the</strong>ir packing house, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Orange Association operated this plant where ice was manufactured and stored<br />
to pack into produce transporting railroad cars before refrigeration was available. During World War II, high school students helped<br />
load ice when <strong>the</strong> regular workers were called away to war. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ice plant, located on what is now Metcalf, remains <strong>the</strong>re today<br />
and a later “ghost sign” is still visible.<br />
This picking crew, made up mostly <strong>of</strong> Filipinos,<br />
worked in <strong>the</strong> groves for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Lemon<br />
Association. In addition to picking <strong>the</strong> fruit, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were responsible for planting new trees, cultivating<br />
<strong>the</strong> soil, fertilizing, pruning, and protecting <strong>the</strong> trees<br />
from frost.<br />
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When <strong>the</strong> Filipinos were drafted during WWII,<br />
Mexican Nationals were hired and a camp with kitchen<br />
and dining hall was provided at Quince and <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway, where <strong>the</strong> Transit Station is now located. Many<br />
Latino families remember <strong>the</strong> camp as <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong> origin<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>Escondido</strong> past. Max Atilano, foreman for <strong>the</strong><br />
fruit picking crew, and best remembered as an<br />
entertainer, penned music for a corrido about life at <strong>the</strong><br />
camp. This photo, most likely from <strong>the</strong> 1960s, shows <strong>the</strong><br />
vacant buildings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> camp among <strong>the</strong> eucalyptus trees.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1920s, most homes in <strong>Escondido</strong> had a flock <strong>of</strong> chickens to feed <strong>the</strong> family, but raising poultry turned into a pr<strong>of</strong>itable industry.<br />
Hatcheries were lucrative businesses well into <strong>the</strong> 1930s, as <strong>Escondido</strong>’s population grew. Here, Ralph Squier stands with his daughter,<br />
Geraldine Squier (Beckman), in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir chicken coop at his truck farm.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 7 1
Pigs and cattle were also raised here and a slaughter house near <strong>the</strong> railroad tracks was established in <strong>the</strong> 1930s when Henry and Mario<br />
Talone opened a packing house and market on Hale Avenue, shown in this photograph from 1959. It would change hands and variety <strong>of</strong><br />
services over <strong>the</strong> years until it was finally closed and left vacant for several years; it was destroyed by fire in 2016. Multiple dairies and<br />
creameries were located in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> area over <strong>the</strong> years, as well.<br />
The San Diego County Farm<br />
Bureau was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earliest<br />
farm bureaus organized in <strong>the</strong><br />
state. The first formal meeting<br />
was held on Feb 20, 1914 at <strong>the</strong><br />
Spreckels Theater in San Diego.<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong> San Diego County<br />
Farm Bureau is a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organization supporting <strong>the</strong><br />
more than 5,700 farms within<br />
<strong>the</strong> county. The San Diego Farm<br />
Bureau “AgHub” moved to 420<br />
South Broadway in 2018. The<br />
Hub serves as local agriculture’s<br />
key site for sharing knowledge<br />
and a place for agricultural<br />
groups to hold meetings and<br />
exchange ideas.<br />
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Communications<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Times was <strong>the</strong> town’s<br />
first newspaper, founded in 1886 and<br />
published by Amasa Sibrent Lindsay, a<br />
Civil War veteran and experienced<br />
newspaperman and his partner, Richard<br />
Beavers. The first <strong>of</strong>fice for <strong>the</strong> Times<br />
was located on Grand Avenue, on a lot<br />
donated by Thomas Metcalf. Still<br />
standing today at 114 West Grand<br />
Avenue, it can be seen in this 1889<br />
photograph, taken during <strong>the</strong><br />
Decoration Day parade. The Advocate<br />
was founded in 1891 and it would<br />
merge with <strong>the</strong> Times in 1909. Through<br />
name changes and mergers, it became<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> longest-standing institutions<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>. In 2012, it was purchased<br />
by <strong>the</strong> San Diego Union Tribune and<br />
publication ended in 2013. A few free<br />
and online papers have provided news<br />
since, including The Paper, The<br />
Grapevine, and eventually, <strong>the</strong> new<br />
Times Advocate.<br />
In 1952, Kay Owens started<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s only radio station and<br />
<strong>the</strong> call letters, KOWN, came from<br />
her name. It was first located on<br />
Hale Avenue between <strong>the</strong> Patio<br />
Playhouse’s first site, and Verne<br />
Williamson’s septic tank business.<br />
Alan Skuba, who would become<br />
mayor, bought KOWN in 1964 and<br />
moved it to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Village<br />
Mall on West <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. In<br />
this photograph from 1965, on <strong>the</strong><br />
right, Skuba is seen interviewing US<br />
Senator and former actor George<br />
Murphy in <strong>the</strong> Village Mall studio.<br />
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This photograph, from July 4,<br />
1905, shows <strong>the</strong> entire staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Telephone company,<br />
which served <strong>Escondido</strong>, San<br />
Pasqual, and San Marcos. Left to<br />
right: Ed. J. Hatch, Manager;<br />
Harry Smith, “trouble shooter;”<br />
Olga McCorkle and Pearl<br />
Trumbley, operators; and “Daddy”<br />
Black, ano<strong>the</strong>r trouble shooter. In<br />
1919, <strong>the</strong> telephone business<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice moved to <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 2nd<br />
Avenue and Broadway and, while<br />
<strong>the</strong> names have changed, a<br />
telephone company has remained<br />
<strong>the</strong>re ever since.<br />
In 1899, <strong>the</strong> first <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
telephone directory was published<br />
and listed 18 phone numbers. By<br />
1955, when this photograph was<br />
taken, <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> homes with<br />
phones had increased dramatically<br />
and <strong>the</strong> phone company had many<br />
employees handling calls, before<br />
<strong>the</strong> advent <strong>of</strong> self-dialed phones.<br />
Women were considered to have<br />
more soothing voices and from<br />
early on, telephone operators were<br />
women. Westminster Seminary<br />
California Photograph<br />
7 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Banks<br />
The first bank was <strong>the</strong> Bank <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, established in 1887.<br />
During a financial downturn in<br />
1890s, it was <strong>the</strong> only local bank to<br />
survive. Shown here in <strong>the</strong> 1890s at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Northwest corner <strong>of</strong> Grand<br />
Avenue and Lime Street (now<br />
Broadway), <strong>the</strong> building features an<br />
addition and is surrounded by <strong>the</strong><br />
wooden boardwalk. The structure<br />
has experienced multiple changes<br />
with many details lost and covered<br />
over, but returned to a more classic<br />
look by realtor and property<br />
developer, James Crone.<br />
Built in 1975 for <strong>the</strong><br />
headquarters <strong>of</strong> North County<br />
Bank, this unique structure was<br />
located at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 5th<br />
Avenue and <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Boulevard. Architect Chris Abel<br />
from Laguna Beach was<br />
responsible for <strong>the</strong> unusual<br />
design. O<strong>the</strong>r tenants who did<br />
business in <strong>the</strong> building<br />
included Ken Hugins, former<br />
city treasurer for more than<br />
thirty years, and George<br />
Chamberlain, local financial<br />
expert and broadcast<br />
personality. The building also<br />
housed <strong>the</strong> headquarters <strong>of</strong><br />
Robert Klark Graham’s Nobel<br />
prize winner sperm bank. In 2000, when North County Bank merged with Wells Fargo Bank, it became a Wells Fargo branch. After<br />
Wells Fargo closed <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice, <strong>the</strong> building sat empty and was allowed to deteriorate for nearly a decade except for a brief period when<br />
a church leased it, but with no plans to replace it, <strong>the</strong> building was demolished in early 2017.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 7 5
Retail & Services<br />
The Board <strong>of</strong> Trade was founded in<br />
1886 but it was renamed <strong>the</strong> Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> Commerce in 1895. In 1919, ground<br />
was broken for a California mission-style<br />
building located at Grand Avenue and<br />
Maple Street. After moving to <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Boulevard and 5th Avenue in 1960, <strong>the</strong><br />
Chamber would again move to <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Park Avenue and Broadway in<br />
1982. They remain at that location today<br />
although <strong>the</strong> building was replaced; <strong>the</strong><br />
new one dedicated April 19, 2005. The<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce has been<br />
instrumental in bringing businesses to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and helping businesses<br />
succeed for 130 years.<br />
The Avenue Livery Stable was located next door to McDonald & Rechnitzer House and Carriage Painting in <strong>the</strong> 300 block <strong>of</strong> East Grand,<br />
shown here in 1910. Horses and mules were <strong>the</strong> primary means <strong>of</strong> local transportation and Speer’s Truck & Transport carried commercial<br />
items as well as household items, like <strong>the</strong> trunks loaded in <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wagon in <strong>the</strong> photograph.<br />
7 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
A surprising number <strong>of</strong> women owned and<br />
operated businesses in <strong>Escondido</strong>’s early days.<br />
This photograph <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Pendergast and her son,<br />
standing on <strong>the</strong> steps in front <strong>of</strong> her Chicago<br />
Millinery Store with Mrs. Stiles standing next to<br />
<strong>the</strong>m, was taken around 1895.<br />
Loomis & O’Dell sold second hand goods in a store at 237 West Grand Avenue, a building that still stands today. Their slogan, “Will<br />
trade you what you want for what you don’t want—we buy everything,” appeared on <strong>the</strong>ir Grape Day float in 1919, along with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
phone number; 167-J.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 7 7
From 1886 to 1896, <strong>the</strong>re was<br />
only one phone in <strong>the</strong> area,<br />
located at Graham & Steiner’s<br />
General Store on <strong>the</strong> southwest<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Grand and Broadway.<br />
Graham & Steiner’s was <strong>the</strong> first<br />
grocery store in <strong>Escondido</strong> and,<br />
shortly after <strong>Escondido</strong> became<br />
incorporated in 1888, <strong>the</strong>y added<br />
a wider variety <strong>of</strong> stock,<br />
converting it into an early<br />
department store. The upstairs<br />
space was a community space,<br />
“Eagle Hall,” but in 1960, it, like<br />
most o<strong>the</strong>r second floors in <strong>the</strong><br />
downtown area, was removed out<br />
<strong>of</strong> concern for earthquake risks.<br />
Horace Lyon was 73 years old when he built <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Mercantile Company on <strong>the</strong> southwest corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue and<br />
Kalmia in 1905. The 50- x 70-foot store stood on two lots and boasted a wide variety <strong>of</strong> mens and womens wear, shoes for adults and<br />
children, and sewing notions and materials. Who <strong>the</strong> legs belong to in <strong>the</strong> lower left corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1905 photograph and why <strong>the</strong> person<br />
is lying in <strong>the</strong> street remains a mystery.<br />
7 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Ting’s Pharmacy, located on <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Broadway and Grand, was owned and<br />
operated by Darwin M. “Pete” Ting, who owned<br />
and operated <strong>the</strong> store from 1920 to 1960. The<br />
fountain inside was a popular ga<strong>the</strong>ring place<br />
for enjoying c<strong>of</strong>fee, milk shakes, or lunch.<br />
By 1927, when this photograph was taken, <strong>the</strong><br />
streets downtown had been paved and striped for<br />
diagonal parking. The flag pole was installed at <strong>the</strong><br />
intersection <strong>of</strong> Grand and Broadway on June 12 <strong>of</strong><br />
that year, in honor <strong>of</strong> Flag Day, but it was removed in<br />
1944 because rust had damaged its structural<br />
integrity. The pole was cut into pieces and <strong>the</strong> longest<br />
piece now stands in front <strong>of</strong> City Hall, still flying <strong>the</strong><br />
American flag and, now, <strong>the</strong> City flag, as well.<br />
The Downtown continued to draw<br />
considerable activity in <strong>the</strong> 1960s and <strong>the</strong> look<br />
<strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> buildings was changed to reflect<br />
<strong>the</strong> times. The building that once housed <strong>the</strong><br />
Graham and Steiner store was “modernized” and<br />
a band <strong>of</strong> tiny mosaic tiles edged <strong>the</strong> overhang.<br />
The remarkable vertical sign at <strong>the</strong> corner makes<br />
it very clear that this was now a drugstore.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 7 9
Probably <strong>the</strong> most interesting grocer in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> history was Rube Nelson. After<br />
buying a smaller store on Broadway with his<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r in 1937, <strong>the</strong>y expanded <strong>the</strong>ir stock<br />
until <strong>the</strong>y needed a larger new store a block<br />
north at Washington. Rube became <strong>the</strong> sole<br />
owner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “Country Corner,” which sported<br />
an array <strong>of</strong> over-sized animals on <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> and<br />
grounds. Rube sold <strong>the</strong> business and property<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Albertson’s chain and retired a millionaire<br />
in 1983, but, quite a character, Rube is still<br />
fondly remembered by many in <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
Edward Woolley was a pr<strong>of</strong>essional golfer from Scotland who began making golf clubs at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 12. He emigrated to <strong>the</strong> US in<br />
1922 and, after World War II, bought Chicago-based Golfcraft. In 1952, he moved <strong>the</strong> company to <strong>Escondido</strong> where this plant was<br />
built at 1021 West Mission, bringing 22 workers and <strong>the</strong>ir families from Chicago to work <strong>the</strong>re. Golfcraft would eventually employ a<br />
total <strong>of</strong> 167 workers and produce 600,000 golf clubs, <strong>the</strong> third largest producer <strong>of</strong> golf clubs in <strong>the</strong> United States. The company’s Vice<br />
President, Edward Redmond, served on <strong>the</strong> City Council from 1955 to 1962. Golfcraft also developed and was <strong>the</strong> first company to<br />
manufacture fiberglass golf club shafts. The property was sold to <strong>the</strong> manufacturer <strong>of</strong> Titleist golf equipment in 1969 and more<br />
recently purchased by <strong>Escondido</strong> Disposal Incorporated, who adapted it as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art recycling center.<br />
8 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
As <strong>the</strong> city grew, businesses could be found in o<strong>the</strong>r areas,<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten grouped toge<strong>the</strong>r. These fashion show models from <strong>the</strong><br />
Walker Scott Department Store are standing in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Village mall. Built in 1964, it was <strong>the</strong> first enclosed<br />
mall west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mississippi River, but only two decades later, it<br />
wound up in bankruptcy. A Los Angeles-based company<br />
purchased <strong>the</strong> property in 1984 and, later, when it faced stiff<br />
competition from <strong>the</strong> new North County Fair Mall, <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Village underwent a major renovation and turned into a strip<br />
mall, <strong>of</strong>fering easier access to individual shops by <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
customers that has proven successful.<br />
An aerial view looking west, with <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway running along <strong>the</strong> far-right side from <strong>the</strong> lower righthand corner, shows <strong>the</strong> old<br />
Vineyard mall, built in 1974, with its wood-clad angular buildings that housed a two-screen movie <strong>the</strong>ater, a radio station and several<br />
quality restaurants. To <strong>the</strong> west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vineyard is <strong>the</strong> Village Mall, closer to <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph, and ano<strong>the</strong>r strip mall can be<br />
seen to <strong>the</strong> east, toward <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 8 1
North County Fair, <strong>the</strong> largest mall in <strong>the</strong><br />
county, boasted six anchor stores when it was<br />
opened on February 20, 1986, with confetti<br />
shot from ro<strong>of</strong>top cannons, 5,000 helium-filled<br />
balloons and seven huge hot-air balloons,<br />
cheerleaders, magicians, music makers and<br />
speeches. The mall was purchased by Australian<br />
firm, Westfield, who renamed it Westfield<br />
North County in 1998 and completely<br />
renovated <strong>the</strong> shopping mall in 2012. In 2017,<br />
Westfield Corp., including <strong>the</strong>ir 16 malls in<br />
California, was sold to French commercial real<br />
estate giant Unibail-Rodamco.<br />
In 1970, five auto dealers came<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Auto<br />
Dealers Association and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
decided that <strong>Escondido</strong> should<br />
have an auto park. In 1977, two<br />
realtors were able to convince 29<br />
separate property owners to sell<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir 78 acres north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway, east <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> I-15 freeway.<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong> five posts bearing flags<br />
at <strong>the</strong> entrance to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Auto Park still represent those<br />
initial five auto dealers, and 14<br />
automobile dealerships line <strong>the</strong><br />
loop at “<strong>the</strong> Home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Full<br />
Circle Test Drive.”<br />
8 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
George Weir started out by driving a pickup<br />
truck around town, filling potholes; <strong>the</strong><br />
photograph <strong>of</strong> George is from <strong>the</strong> late 1970s or<br />
early 80s. His work ethic would lead to <strong>the</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> several businesses and Weir<br />
became well known for his philanthropy. From<br />
filling pot holes for <strong>the</strong> city at no charge, to<br />
helping create <strong>the</strong> Heritage Garden at Juniper<br />
and Grand and enhancing outdoor areas at <strong>the</strong><br />
Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts, George and his wife, Cynthia<br />
have quietly made a difference in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
The Treasure House, shown in this 1947 photograph, was located at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Grand and Quince. Customers could store <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
frozen food here when space at home was absent or lacking in size. The building stands today and can be recognized by <strong>the</strong> curved<br />
window <strong>of</strong> glass blocks at <strong>the</strong> corner. Next to it was an earlier site for Pyramid Granite, a granite cutting factory.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 8 3
The Offshore Model Basin, formerly on Enterprise Street, contained a 300-by-50-by-15-foot-deep indoor pool capable <strong>of</strong> creating<br />
significant waves. It was <strong>of</strong>ten used to test boats and underwater equipment by companies and organizations from around <strong>the</strong> country.<br />
It also hosted an annual submarine race for college students, as shown in <strong>the</strong> photograph, and used for making movies, including<br />
scenes from <strong>the</strong> movies Titanic, True Lies, and Free Willy. Photograph courtesy <strong>of</strong> Jill Campbell.<br />
Stone & Glass is an art glass and mixed<br />
media studio and gallery that began in a tiny<br />
500-square-foot studio in 2001, <strong>the</strong><br />
culmination <strong>of</strong> James Stone’s lifelong dream to<br />
be a full-time working artist. In 2015, <strong>the</strong><br />
owners were drawn to <strong>Escondido</strong> for its history<br />
<strong>of</strong> glass arts and art culture and moved into <strong>the</strong><br />
industrial area. Following a fire that started in<br />
a neighboring business, Stone & Glass moved<br />
into <strong>the</strong>ir current location on Grand where<br />
emerging artists continue to be mentored and<br />
students are taught <strong>the</strong> art. Photograph courtesy<br />
<strong>of</strong> Stone & Glass<br />
8 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Giants <strong>of</strong> Business<br />
The Joor Muffler Man has stood steadfast on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Juniper<br />
Street and <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway in <strong>the</strong> Downtown since he was placed in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> muffler shop in <strong>the</strong> 1960s. Made <strong>of</strong> fiberglass, he stands 22<br />
feet tall on top <strong>of</strong> a concrete base and has had quite a wardrobe through<br />
<strong>the</strong> years. Below, <strong>the</strong> Joor Muffler Man can be seen in his Santa suit,<br />
enjoying <strong>the</strong> holidays.<br />
In addition to its unique sign in <strong>the</strong> front parking<br />
lot, <strong>the</strong> Ups ‘N’ Downs Roller Rink on North<br />
Broadway featured a giant roller skate on <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />
The roller skating rink was built in 1959.<br />
The Muffler Man was wearing his Amgen vest and<br />
cap to honor <strong>the</strong> Amgen Tour <strong>of</strong> California bicycle race<br />
that started in <strong>the</strong> Downtown in 2013.<br />
C h a p t e r 3 F 8 5
Chapter 4<br />
Culture<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Band<br />
lined up for <strong>the</strong><br />
Decoration Day parade on<br />
May 30, 1889 in front <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Methodist Episcopal<br />
Church, <strong>the</strong> first church<br />
constructed in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Barber Leo Escher can be<br />
seen on <strong>the</strong> very left,<br />
wielding a baton as <strong>the</strong><br />
drum major.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s relationship to <strong>the</strong> arts and its endeavor for cultural development began almost at <strong>the</strong><br />
city’s incorporation in 1888. The first city band was formed by twelve local musicians. In 1889, a band<br />
stand was built on <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue and Maple Street. Band concerts <strong>of</strong>ten made<br />
Sundays and holidays merry occasions. These early days also boasted local celebrations, eventually<br />
including <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festival, which always had a musical component. Early <strong>the</strong>atrical productions<br />
were also quite common in <strong>the</strong> schools, churches and clubs.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1920s and 30s, <strong>the</strong> Community Arts Association was organized to give attention to arts and<br />
drama. About <strong>the</strong> same time, local optometrist, Benjamin Sherman, who had studied drama at leading<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn schools, ga<strong>the</strong>red local young people toge<strong>the</strong>r and presented several plays at <strong>the</strong> Kinema<br />
Theatre. Audiences <strong>of</strong> 500 to 700 attended. Later, he wrote <strong>the</strong> outdoor play “Felicita.” In more recent<br />
history, <strong>the</strong> Patio Playhouse Community Theatre has been providing local, live <strong>the</strong>atre since 1967.<br />
In 1946, <strong>the</strong> Philharmonic Arts Association was formed and launched its first concert series,<br />
held in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> High School auditorium. Through <strong>the</strong> Association’s efforts, <strong>Escondido</strong> was<br />
host to world-renowned artists such as Risë Stevens, Jose Greco, Artur Rubenstein and <strong>the</strong> Los<br />
Angeles Philharmonic.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1970s, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Regional Arts Council was created to bring visual arts to North County.<br />
The first gallery was in <strong>the</strong> Vineyard Shopping Center on East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. Today, <strong>the</strong> Municipal<br />
Gallery and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Arts Partnership both provide venues for local artists to exhibit <strong>the</strong>ir work.<br />
8 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The City established a Public Art Program in 1988 and more than 22 public art projects have been installed by <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
and private developers under <strong>the</strong> guidance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Public Art Commission.<br />
Also in <strong>the</strong> 1970s, <strong>the</strong> cultural history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community came into focus with <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> Heritage Walk in Grape Day Park.<br />
The City’s first library was identified and moved to <strong>the</strong> Walk, opening in 1976 as <strong>the</strong> first local history museum. Since that time, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
historic buildings have been added to Heritage Walk to help keep <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> alive. Additional museums and galleries have<br />
been established in <strong>the</strong> City, over time, to provide <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> with well-rounded cultural opportunities.<br />
With <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Regional Arts Council, a stronger, more comprehensive Felicita Foundation was formed, which successfully<br />
lobbied to use <strong>the</strong> city’s old library space upon completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new library in <strong>the</strong> early 80s. With <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Endowment<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Arts, <strong>the</strong> Felicita Foundation was able to use <strong>the</strong> newly acquired space to present both visual and performing arts in a limited scope.<br />
Sparked by this civic vision that recognized how vital <strong>the</strong> arts are to a community, <strong>Escondido</strong> voters, in 1985, approved <strong>the</strong> building<br />
<strong>of</strong> a $73 million arts center that would bring music, dance, <strong>the</strong>ater, education and <strong>the</strong> visual arts toge<strong>the</strong>r on one dynamic campus as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> an overall redevelopment project. Since its opening in 1994, <strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts, <strong>Escondido</strong> has been dedicated to<br />
promoting <strong>the</strong> arts along with <strong>the</strong>ir power for community building and enhancement, and to enrich <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> citizens.<br />
Literature has always played a key role for <strong>Escondido</strong> residents, as well. First librarian Mina Ward authored a book that included<br />
her own stories as well as articles from technical magazines to assist in gauging shorthand speed. Several o<strong>the</strong>r notable authors have<br />
made <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir home, including, more recently, Martha C. Lawrence and former <strong>Escondido</strong> Police Officer Neal Griffin; as well<br />
as childrens book illustrator Debbie Tilley.<br />
Music<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Band added “Cornet” to its name and and later donned uniforms to pose for this pr<strong>of</strong>essional photograph, c. 1890.<br />
C h a p t e r 4 F 8 7
Max Atilano and his Mexican Troubadours<br />
were a constant at <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festivals from<br />
1920-1940. They also provided music for <strong>the</strong><br />
outdoor play, Felicita. Shown in this c. 1925<br />
photograph are (from left to right): Pete Ruiz,<br />
Frank Salcido, John Cosio, Ted Borja, Senorita<br />
Paquita Cantu, and Max Atilano.<br />
“Sound Town” was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original stores in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Village Mall and one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> favorite hangouts for those who enjoyed music. This 1965 photograph shows<br />
Lawrence Welk promoting one <strong>of</strong> his albums at <strong>the</strong> popular store as <strong>the</strong> featured star<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day. Welk had a special connection to <strong>the</strong> area and visited <strong>of</strong>ten because <strong>of</strong> his<br />
Lawrence Welk Resort just north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. He sometimes produced his popular<br />
TV show in <strong>Escondido</strong>, which brought national exposure to <strong>the</strong> city. Photograph by<br />
Bill Rutledge<br />
John Marikle built his art and music store on<br />
South Kalmia in collaboration with photographer<br />
Louis Havens, who built his photograph studio<br />
next door and took many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early photos<br />
found in this book. Both businesses opened in<br />
1911. Each family lived in an apartment above<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir respective store.<br />
8 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In 1970, artist Frank Matranga, was commissioned to create four murals portraying scenes from San Diego’s history to be installed<br />
over <strong>the</strong> entry doors <strong>of</strong> a new Sears building on East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway in <strong>the</strong> mid-1970s. When <strong>the</strong> building, which had also been<br />
occupied by <strong>the</strong> Fedco membership store from 1986 to 1989, was demolished in <strong>the</strong> early 1990s, <strong>the</strong> murals were saved. One,<br />
depicting a scene from <strong>the</strong> 1846 Battle <strong>of</strong> San Pasqual, can be seen today on <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Children’s Discovery Museum at 320<br />
North Broadway while ano<strong>the</strong>r can be found on a median wall along South Date Street.<br />
Queen Califia's Magical Circle is <strong>the</strong> only<br />
American sculpture garden and <strong>the</strong> last major<br />
international project created by French artist<br />
Niki de Saint Phalle, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most significant<br />
female and feminist artists <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth<br />
century. Inspired by California's mythic,<br />
historic and cultural roots, <strong>the</strong> garden is located<br />
at Kit Carson Park. In <strong>the</strong> photograph, taken at<br />
her home where <strong>the</strong> maquette was displayed,<br />
stands Niki de Saint Phalle with her arm raised<br />
and to her immediate right, Mayor Lori<br />
Holt Pfeiler. Don E. Anderson photograph.<br />
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Since <strong>the</strong> Public Art Program began in 1988, more than 22 public art projects<br />
have been initiated by <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> and private developers. The Public<br />
Art Program has received a number <strong>of</strong> local and national awards for its projects.<br />
This bronze fountain at <strong>the</strong> right, designed by James Hubble in 1989, is a<br />
memorial to Joyce and Irvin Malcolm, prominent supporters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> arts and <strong>the</strong><br />
preservation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. It can be found at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9th<br />
Avenue and Chestnut Street.<br />
In 2000, Wick Alexander created Pillars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Community in multiple locations along South<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard. The entire Public Arts<br />
project included nine obelisks, three murals,<br />
and sundials and historic street names incised<br />
into <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sidewalks. The obelisks,<br />
like <strong>the</strong> one at <strong>the</strong> left, start at <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> 6th Avenue and end at <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> 15th Avenue.<br />
The mural at right with a self-guided walking<br />
tour <strong>of</strong> historic homes that had been located at <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard and 8th Avenue<br />
fell into disrepair and was removed in 2017.<br />
Located in <strong>the</strong> Maple Street Plaza, between<br />
Grand Avenue and West <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway, artist<br />
Paul Hobson created a fountain and curved seat<br />
wall to celebrate <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Creek. The risers in <strong>the</strong> water feature were<br />
inspired by historic agricultural flood irrigation.<br />
Brad Ansley photograph.<br />
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Military Tribute, created by Gale Pruitt in 2007, is one <strong>of</strong><br />
several veterans memorials in Grape Day Park. Bronze statues<br />
depict a female fighter pilot representing Women Air Force<br />
Service Pilots <strong>of</strong> World War II; a tall male soldier symbolizing<br />
those currently in combat; and a youthful ROTC student<br />
representing <strong>the</strong> future. The statues are flanked by <strong>the</strong> Walls <strong>of</strong><br />
Courage, inscribed with names <strong>of</strong> local veterans.<br />
Community was created by Jeff Lindeneau in 1990 as<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early public art pieces.. Two cast bronze<br />
triangles featuring silhouettes <strong>of</strong> human figures stand<br />
atop two copper clad and granite slabs, facing each<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r, connoting a passage way.<br />
Also created as a Public Art project, <strong>the</strong> 2011 New Leaf by artist Dan Dykes is<br />
located on South Centre City Parkway near Felicita Avenue. According to <strong>the</strong><br />
artist, <strong>the</strong> green patina represents <strong>Escondido</strong>’s agricultural past, <strong>the</strong> stainless steel<br />
represents modern manufacturing, and <strong>the</strong> stainless-steel mesh at <strong>the</strong> top<br />
symbolizes <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>, coming toge<strong>the</strong>r to form a new leaf.<br />
C h a p t e r 4 F 9 1
Performing Arts<br />
The annual Felicita<br />
Pageant featured 200 local<br />
<strong>the</strong>spians and was held from<br />
1927-1932 in <strong>the</strong> Quiet<br />
Hills area near Felicita Park<br />
in south <strong>Escondido</strong>. The<br />
play was written by<br />
Benjamin Sherman, a local<br />
optometrist, and based on<br />
Elizabeth Judson Robert’s<br />
book, Indian Stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Southwest. The pageant<br />
attracted hundreds <strong>of</strong> guests<br />
every year to sit under a<br />
canopy <strong>of</strong> oak trees while<br />
viewing <strong>the</strong> play. This<br />
photograph was taken<br />
during <strong>the</strong> 1930 production.<br />
In 1923, The Tom Thumb Wedding was performed by a group <strong>of</strong> children at <strong>the</strong> Kinema Theater on Grand Avenue. In 1935, <strong>the</strong><br />
children <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Methodist Church performed in a similar production, taking <strong>the</strong> roles normally played by adults.<br />
9 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
This photograph was taken on April 14, 1916<br />
and shows <strong>the</strong> cast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> High School<br />
production <strong>of</strong> Gilbert and Sullivan’s, H.M.S.<br />
Pinafore. The operetta took place at <strong>the</strong> school in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Robert’s Auditorium and <strong>the</strong> special scenery<br />
was produced by <strong>the</strong> Art Department. Although<br />
<strong>the</strong> operetta story-line centers around <strong>the</strong> British<br />
Navy, it’s interesting to note that American flags<br />
were used in <strong>the</strong> production.<br />
The first Patio Playhouse opened with its first<br />
play in 1971 in this remodeled machine shop on<br />
Hale Avenue. The founders sought to provide a<br />
creative outlet for talent, young and old, and to<br />
bring live <strong>the</strong>ater to <strong>the</strong> community. The<br />
founders were Curtis Babcock; Dale Baldridge,<br />
and Greg and Don Krueger. Today, it is <strong>the</strong> oldest<br />
continuously-operating community <strong>the</strong>ater in<br />
San Diego County.<br />
Georgia Copeland, a former MGM starlet who danced in<br />
numerous musical movies, opened her dance studio in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1953, making it <strong>the</strong> oldest dance studio still<br />
operating in North San Diego County today. Georgia personally<br />
produced more than 40 pr<strong>of</strong>essional dancers in <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> her<br />
teaching career. When Georgia died in 1998, Sue Gibson<br />
assumed <strong>the</strong> operation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> studio. The snapshot shows<br />
Georgia on <strong>the</strong> left and Sue Gibson on <strong>the</strong> right. Photograph<br />
courtesy <strong>of</strong> Georgia’s Dance Studio<br />
C h a p t e r 4 F 9 3
This aerial photograph shows <strong>the</strong> California<br />
Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts under construction in April<br />
1992, located just west <strong>of</strong> Grape Day Park, along<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard. <strong>Escondido</strong> voters<br />
approved spending $73 million to build <strong>the</strong><br />
Center that would bring music, dance, <strong>the</strong>ater,<br />
education and <strong>the</strong> visual arts toge<strong>the</strong>r on one<br />
dynamic campus as part <strong>of</strong> an overall<br />
redevelopment project.<br />
The completed Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts, <strong>Escondido</strong>, is shown in this September 1994 photograph.<br />
9 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The Kinema Theatre opened at <strong>the</strong> 200 block<br />
<strong>of</strong> east Grand Avenue in December 1920 and is<br />
featured in this photograph from 1929. The<br />
Kinema hosted <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first motion pictures<br />
with sound and was <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong> many<br />
community ga<strong>the</strong>rings. In 1931 it became<br />
known as <strong>the</strong> Pala Theater.<br />
The Ritz Theater, near <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue and Juniper Street opened during <strong>the</strong> Grape Day Festival in 1937. In<br />
1950, a fire damaged much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> interior and this photograph from 1952 shows <strong>the</strong> wood barricades in <strong>the</strong> doorways prior to its reopening<br />
in 1953. The <strong>the</strong>ater managed to stay open for a time, <strong>the</strong>n closing and re-opening multiple times under a succession <strong>of</strong><br />
owners until it closed for <strong>the</strong> final time in 2003. The Grand Market, in <strong>the</strong> companion building next door on <strong>the</strong> corner with similar<br />
art deco features, was <strong>the</strong> first grocery store in <strong>the</strong> city to have wheeled shopping carts. In 2015, it would become an Arthur Murray<br />
Dance Studio.<br />
C h a p t e r 4 F 9 5
On June 19, 1950, a 2,080-pound replica <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Liberty Bell visited <strong>Escondido</strong>. The bell was<br />
one <strong>of</strong> 52 replicas donated to <strong>the</strong> U.S. Treasury by<br />
America’s copper industry. The visit was part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
state-wide tour being made in connection with<br />
“Independence Drive,” a program to increase <strong>the</strong><br />
sales <strong>of</strong> U.S. Saving Bonds. The photograph<br />
shows <strong>the</strong> procession in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pala Theater,<br />
which was located near <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Grand<br />
Avenue and Kalmia Street. Shortly after this<br />
photograph was taken, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>atre was converted<br />
into an eight-lane bowling alley, Pala Bowl.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Drive-In opened on July 6, 1950, at 755 West<br />
Mission Avenue and <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> admission for that night’s<br />
feature, The Boy from Indiana, was 50 cents. California political<br />
hopeful and future President, Richard Nixon, made a campaign<br />
stop at <strong>the</strong> drive-in that same year, and in 1962, a local pastor<br />
began holding Sunday worship services in <strong>the</strong> lot. The drive-in<br />
could accommodate about 320 cars and films such as 1959’s Ben<br />
Hur sold out several times each night. The owner, Dan Johnston,<br />
moved <strong>the</strong> drive-in to West Mission Avenue in 1967 to<br />
accommodate <strong>the</strong> thriving business. This drive-in closed<br />
September 8, 1985.<br />
In 2000 and 2001, <strong>Escondido</strong>’s last two movie <strong>the</strong>aters<br />
closed, forcing residents to drive to <strong>the</strong>aters in San Marcos or<br />
Oceanside to see new movies on <strong>the</strong> “big screen.” The<br />
community was pleased to have a local <strong>the</strong>ater again, when a<br />
new 16-screen multiplex with stadium seating, shown in <strong>the</strong><br />
2018 photo, opened on January 30, 2004, at <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old<br />
Montgomery Ward store on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway and<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard.<br />
9 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Literature<br />
Harold Bell Wright was a best-selling American writer <strong>of</strong><br />
fiction, essays, and nonfiction. Although mostly forgotten or<br />
ignored after <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth century, he is said to<br />
have been <strong>the</strong> first American writer to sell a million copies <strong>of</strong> a<br />
novel and <strong>the</strong> first to make $1 million from writing fiction.<br />
From 1935 until his death in 1944, Wright lived on his “Quiet<br />
Hills” farm in south <strong>Escondido</strong>. Two <strong>of</strong> his most popular novels<br />
are: Shepard <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hills and The Winning <strong>of</strong> Barbara Worth.<br />
Frances Beven Ryan taught home economics<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong> schools for thirty years and <strong>the</strong>n<br />
wrote several books about <strong>Escondido</strong> history,<br />
based on stories told to her by her relatives,<br />
who were among <strong>Escondido</strong>’s founders and first<br />
settlers; Early Days in <strong>Escondido</strong> (1970),<br />
Yesterdays in <strong>Escondido</strong> (1973), and <strong>Escondido</strong> As<br />
It Was (1980). She also wrote a weekly history<br />
column for <strong>the</strong> Times-Advocate. The <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Library Pioneer Room was established as a<br />
bequest by Ryan in 1992. In <strong>the</strong> photograph<br />
from 1971, she is seen handing one <strong>of</strong> her<br />
books to <strong>the</strong>n Mayor Allen Skuba while William<br />
Fark sits to <strong>the</strong> right and her husband, Lewis,<br />
stands by her side at <strong>the</strong> dedication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
recently relocated original library.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Escondido</strong> native, William Maurice Culp, whose uncle was <strong>the</strong> town marshal for a<br />
time, wrote several childrens books, including Tumba <strong>of</strong> Torrey Pines in 1931, Jeremiah in 1932,<br />
as well as And a Duck Waddles Too in 1939.<br />
C h a p t e r 4 F 9 7
Museums<br />
The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum provides hands-on educational exhibits and programs focusing on science, art, and world<br />
cultures for children. In 1999, it was founded by local resident Katie Ragazzi as a traveling education program in science and art. The<br />
following year, it incorporated as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Children’s Museum. In 2001, <strong>the</strong> doors to <strong>the</strong> first museum facility opened in a small<br />
storefront on Grand Avenue. Three years later, it moved to a larger venue on <strong>the</strong> campus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
With <strong>the</strong> opening <strong>of</strong> its third and current location on North Broadway, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Children’s Museum changed its name to San Diego<br />
Children’s Discovery Museum.<br />
Keith Roynon began collecting his first fossils<br />
as a young child and, in 2000, began inviting<br />
school children to his home where his large<br />
collection was displayed. After a complaint was<br />
filed in March 2015, <strong>the</strong> City notified Roynon<br />
that <strong>the</strong> residence could no longer open its<br />
doors for <strong>the</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> students who came<br />
every year. Community volunteers quickly<br />
intervened, finding and renovating acceptable<br />
quarters in a storefront on Grand Avenue to<br />
house Roynon’s entire collection <strong>of</strong> more than<br />
4,000 artifacts. The Roynon Museum <strong>of</strong><br />
Paleontology was voted “Best Museum in <strong>the</strong><br />
San Diego area” for 2016, according to <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Diego A-List website but would close in 2019<br />
due to operational challenges.<br />
9 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Chapter 5<br />
Government Sites and Services<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> was incorporated in 1888 as a result <strong>of</strong> a 64-19 vote by city residents, who also elected<br />
<strong>the</strong> first members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees. The Board met monthly, upstairs at 110 West Grand. In<br />
1930, <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees became <strong>the</strong> City Council and <strong>the</strong> chairman became <strong>the</strong> mayor. In 1955,<br />
an ordinance was adopted, setting up <strong>the</strong> current Council-Manager form <strong>of</strong> government.<br />
A Public Library was <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first city service. In <strong>the</strong> early 1900s, <strong>the</strong> city also began paving<br />
roads. The Parks and Recreation Dept. was formed in 1956, later to become part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Community<br />
Services Department. <strong>Escondido</strong> has always <strong>of</strong>fered a wide variety <strong>of</strong> outdoor recreational<br />
opportunities, including camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and boating. Currently, <strong>the</strong> City<br />
maintains Dixon Lake, Lake Wohlford, Daley Ranch, and nine urban parks.<br />
The scope <strong>of</strong> city services has steadily increased over <strong>the</strong> years, particularly as <strong>the</strong> city limits<br />
extended outward and <strong>the</strong> population grew. Eleven different departments, in addition to <strong>the</strong> City<br />
Manager’s, City Attorney’s, City Treasurer’s, and City Clerk’s <strong>of</strong>fices, now provide residents with a<br />
wide range <strong>of</strong> services.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has experienced very few major crimes that have attracted national attention. Sadly, a<br />
post <strong>of</strong>fice shooting in 1989 became <strong>the</strong> second postal shooting in <strong>the</strong> country, followed by o<strong>the</strong>rs in<br />
different cities that led to <strong>the</strong> term “going postal.” Also receiving national attention was <strong>the</strong> murder<br />
in 1998 <strong>of</strong> Stephanie Crowe, who was stabbed multiple times in her bedroom. Ano<strong>the</strong>r tragic murder<br />
In celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
City’s Centennial, a time<br />
capsule was buried under<br />
<strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dome <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> new City Hall and covered<br />
by a bronze marker.<br />
City employees Jerry<br />
Chappel (left) and Dave<br />
Cramer (right), are shown<br />
installing <strong>the</strong> time capsule<br />
in this 1988 photograph.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 9 9
occurred in 2009, when Amber DuBois was<br />
abducted on her way to school. Her murder,<br />
and Chelsea King’s <strong>of</strong> Rancho Bernardo,<br />
by <strong>the</strong> same man, led to <strong>the</strong> passing <strong>of</strong><br />
Chelsea’s Law, which, among o<strong>the</strong>r provisions,<br />
increased penalties, parole provisions, and<br />
oversight for violent sexual predators who<br />
attack children.<br />
Fires have taken lives as well as damagied<br />
and destroyed property throughout <strong>Escondido</strong>’s<br />
history. Thankfully, however; <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong><br />
fires has steadily decreased, thanks to stricter<br />
fire codes, including mandated fire sprinklers<br />
in new construction, as well as more advanced<br />
firefighting equipment and strategies. The Fire<br />
Department also began <strong>of</strong>fering medical aid and<br />
transport in 1977 with those calls now making<br />
up 80 percent <strong>of</strong> fire department calls while<br />
fire-related calls constitute only 1.7 percent <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir nearly 16,000 annual calls.<br />
Ol' Betsy housed at Station 1.<br />
Buildings<br />
By 1890, <strong>the</strong> first dedicated City Hall was located on Grand Avenue and a small building to <strong>the</strong> rear served as <strong>the</strong> City jail. Note<br />
<strong>the</strong> sunrise decoration above <strong>the</strong> windows and doors; similar detail adorns <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current City Hall.<br />
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A City Hall built <strong>of</strong> adobe block and made possible by <strong>the</strong> Works Progress Administration (WPA), was finished in 1938, in time to<br />
celebrate <strong>the</strong> city’s fiftieth anniversary. It housed city <strong>of</strong>fices, including <strong>the</strong> Police Department, and <strong>the</strong> Fire Station, which was added<br />
onto <strong>the</strong> north side a year later. The building was located on what is now <strong>the</strong> front lawn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vacated Palomar Hospital, downtown,<br />
where <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway and Grand split.<br />
In 1988, a new 108,000-<br />
square-foot City Hall was<br />
built at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway and Broadway.<br />
The design was chosen by a<br />
public process, and a<br />
nation-wide competition<br />
was held. The 108 entries<br />
were reviewed by 1500<br />
citizens and, using <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
comments, a jury chose <strong>the</strong><br />
design submitted by Pacific<br />
Associates Planners and<br />
Architects, a San Diego<br />
firm. The building won<br />
several prestigious awards,<br />
including <strong>the</strong> Urban Land<br />
Institute Award for<br />
Excellence in 1989. This<br />
photograph shows <strong>the</strong><br />
building’s dedication<br />
ceremony with Mayor Doris<br />
Thurston at <strong>the</strong> podium.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 0 1
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s first Public Library was built in<br />
1894 and <strong>the</strong> City assumed responsibility for its<br />
operation in 1898. The first librarian was Mina<br />
Ward and she was initially responsible for more<br />
than 300 books, all donated by <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
The building was moved to Grape Day Park in<br />
1971 and now houses <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center <strong>of</strong>fices and research center.<br />
On March 25, 1910, <strong>the</strong> cornerstone was laid for <strong>the</strong> Carnegie Library, which opened in October <strong>of</strong> that year. Books could be checked<br />
out every day except Sunday, when <strong>the</strong> library was open for quiet reading only, to honor <strong>the</strong> Sabbath. Businessman and philanthropist,<br />
Andrew Carnegie, donated money for building libraries around <strong>the</strong> world; 2,509 libraries were built between 1883 and 1929. This<br />
photograph is from a 1938 time capsule located at <strong>the</strong> adobe city hall and opened in 1988.<br />
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Also outgrown, <strong>the</strong> Carnegie Library was<br />
replaced in 1956 by this building on <strong>the</strong> left,<br />
designed by popular architect George Lykos. The<br />
strong example <strong>of</strong> Mid-century Style, named for<br />
art and culture advocates, Bob and Ruth Ma<strong>the</strong>s,<br />
still stands at <strong>the</strong> northwest corner <strong>of</strong> Kalmia<br />
Street and 3rd Avenue.<br />
Its distinctive light-controlling louvers recently removed, <strong>the</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>s Center<br />
continues to house meeting rooms and <strong>the</strong> Pioneer Room, which was established<br />
in 1992 with local historian Frances Beven Ryan’s collection and o<strong>the</strong>r historical<br />
and genealogical research material.<br />
In 1981, <strong>the</strong> 40,000-square-foot library was<br />
built next door and is still in use with more than<br />
1,000 visitors daily. A major renovation was<br />
performed in 2009 to better accommodate<br />
today’s technological needs and make it more<br />
attractive to visitors. In a controversial move,<br />
<strong>the</strong> City Council voted 4-1 to privatize <strong>the</strong><br />
library services in 2017.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 0 3
Parks<br />
Grape Day Park was <strong>the</strong><br />
city’s first park, donated to<br />
<strong>the</strong> city to celebrate Grape<br />
Day, beginning in 1908.<br />
This photograph from 1976<br />
shows <strong>the</strong> welcome sign<br />
and fountain, which still<br />
stand today. At one time,<br />
<strong>the</strong> park featured a bandshell<br />
and baseball fields as<br />
well as “<strong>the</strong> plunge,” <strong>the</strong><br />
first community pool.<br />
The second oldest and largest in <strong>the</strong> county, this grand, multitrunked<br />
eucalyptus tree sheltered Grape Day Park visitors for<br />
decades. Out <strong>of</strong> safety concerns, it was cut back significantly in<br />
2013 with <strong>the</strong> tall stump remaining as a reminder <strong>of</strong> its earlier<br />
glory, while a design for its future use is being considered.<br />
Nearby, when a restroom was needed for <strong>the</strong> Heritage Walk<br />
location, <strong>the</strong> last bid opened <strong>of</strong>fered to do <strong>the</strong> job for only $1.<br />
Immediately accepted, <strong>the</strong> gazebo-shaped facility was completed<br />
by <strong>the</strong> community minded K. L. Wessel Construction Company.<br />
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“The Plunge” swimming pool in Grape Day Park was a popular place to cool <strong>of</strong>f in <strong>the</strong> 1950s. A replacement municipal pool, built<br />
closer to Woodward Avenue, was named after Jim Stone, an <strong>Escondido</strong> High School teacher who worked as aquatics manager for <strong>the</strong> city<br />
during <strong>the</strong> summer. Stone was in charge <strong>of</strong> pool programs for more than twenty years.<br />
James B. Dixon, superintendent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mutual Water Company, urged <strong>the</strong> City to build a dam, nor<strong>the</strong>ast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city at this location,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Dixon Lake Recreation Area was dedicated on May 12, 1977. The lake area continues to provide opportunities for fishing,<br />
camping, and picnicking. Eric Johnson photograph.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 0 5
Robert Daley built a small cabin and settled in <strong>the</strong> valley around 1869. In 1925, he built a ranch house <strong>of</strong> single board, heart<br />
redwood that still stands today. In 1996, developer plans for <strong>the</strong> land surrounding it were halted when <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council<br />
voted to purchase and forever protect <strong>the</strong> 3,058-acre ranch as a habitat preserve. Today, Daley Ranch <strong>of</strong>fers more than 20 miles <strong>of</strong><br />
trails for hiking, mountain bikes, and equestrian use and <strong>the</strong> ranch house is available for public use.<br />
Named after <strong>the</strong> famous scout who also<br />
fought in <strong>the</strong> Battle <strong>of</strong> San Pasqual, <strong>the</strong> 285<br />
acres where Kit Carson Park sits was purchased<br />
from <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> San Diego in 1967. One<br />
hundred acres have been developed into ball<br />
fields, tennis courts, and <strong>the</strong> Sports Center<br />
Complex. It’s also <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> an amphi<strong>the</strong>ater,<br />
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle and <strong>the</strong> Iris Sanke<br />
Arboretum. The popular <strong>Escondido</strong> Rotary<br />
Club Disc Golf Course, depicted in this 2013<br />
photograph, was established in 2010. The<br />
course meanders through a creek, oaks, alders,<br />
and manicured grass. 185 acres <strong>of</strong> Kit Carson<br />
Park have been preserved as natural habitat.<br />
1 0 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The photograph on <strong>the</strong> left, from January,<br />
1952, shows <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek at a higher than<br />
average level, flowing through Grape Day Park.<br />
The City “Plunge” swimming pool can be seen<br />
toward <strong>the</strong> center back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph.<br />
Flooding along <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek could be even<br />
more problematic.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1960s, a flood control channel, shown<br />
in an early photograph on <strong>the</strong> right, was<br />
constructed to prevent flooding that occurred all<br />
too <strong>of</strong>ten throughout <strong>the</strong> community. The<br />
channel has been effective but not attractive,<br />
especially as it has collected trash, and <strong>the</strong><br />
original wildlife habitat was greatly compromised.<br />
In 2010, Landscape Architecture students at<br />
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona<br />
developed <strong>the</strong> “Revealing <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek Vision<br />
Plan.” In it, all portions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> concrete drainage<br />
canal running through <strong>Escondido</strong> would be<br />
redesigned to return <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek to its more<br />
natural state while still retaining <strong>the</strong> ability to<br />
control flood waters as needed. As a result <strong>of</strong> that<br />
study, <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> began implementing<br />
<strong>the</strong> 100-acre linear park in phases.<br />
In 2011, a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Creek Trail was<br />
staged in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> grand opening <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> adjacent Juniper Senior Village as shown in<br />
this photograph.<br />
Deemed successful, <strong>the</strong> improvements were<br />
made permanent.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 0 7
Law Enforcement<br />
When <strong>Escondido</strong> was first incorporated, <strong>the</strong> town’s law enforcement consisted <strong>of</strong> one man, who held <strong>the</strong> title <strong>of</strong> city marshal. In <strong>the</strong><br />
photo, Marshal Lu<strong>the</strong>r Culp, who served from 1910 to 1916, is directing traffic on Grand Avenue. By 1956, <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> all law<br />
enforcement personnel stood at 15 but by 1986, <strong>the</strong> number had climbed to 125. Today <strong>the</strong>re are 170 sworn police personnel, 93 nonsworn<br />
support personnel, and 73 volunteers.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> new adobe City<br />
Hall at 100 <strong>Valley</strong> Boulevard<br />
was built in 1938, a small<br />
police headquarters and jail<br />
were constructed, also <strong>of</strong><br />
adobe, north <strong>of</strong> and<br />
immediately adjacent to <strong>the</strong><br />
City Hall. In this photograph<br />
from 1955, motorcycle<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers are seen lined up for<br />
inspection by <strong>the</strong> police<br />
chief and <strong>the</strong> mayor behind<br />
City Hall.<br />
1 0 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In 1976, a new one-story Police Department<br />
headquarters, was built at 700 West Grand<br />
Avenue, while Lester R. Lund was Chief <strong>of</strong> Police.<br />
Plans had included a second floor but it was<br />
eliminated when city <strong>of</strong>ficials realized it would be<br />
too expensive, leaving two odd vertical features<br />
rising from <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>. When Lund became chief in<br />
1956, <strong>the</strong> total department personnel numbered<br />
15 in all ranks, but <strong>the</strong> population skyrocketed<br />
from 6,544 in 1950 to 64,355 in 1980 and <strong>the</strong><br />
need for more police <strong>of</strong>ficers to provide service<br />
became obvious. By <strong>the</strong> time Lund retired in<br />
1986, <strong>the</strong>re were 125 employees. <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Police Department Photograph.<br />
In 1982, to accommodate increasing staff numbers, a second floor was finally added to Police Headquarters at 700 West Grand<br />
Avenue and <strong>the</strong> look <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building was drastically different. It served for ano<strong>the</strong>r 27 years until it was replaced in 2009 by a new<br />
facility shared with <strong>the</strong> Fire Department Administration on Centre City Parkway. <strong>Escondido</strong> Police Department Photograph.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 0 9
In 2004, Proposition P was passed by <strong>the</strong><br />
voters, providing $84.3 million to fund <strong>the</strong><br />
construction <strong>of</strong> several fire stations and <strong>the</strong><br />
construction <strong>of</strong> a $61 million combined state-<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>-art<br />
Police and Fire Headquarters building on<br />
Centre City Parkway. Shown in this photograph,<br />
groundbreaking for <strong>the</strong> 115,000-square-foot,<br />
three-story headquarters on Centre City Parkway<br />
at Decatur Way took place in September, 2006.<br />
The building was fully operational by May 2010.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is <strong>the</strong> only city in <strong>the</strong> county that has its own<br />
dispatch center for handling both police and fire emergency calls.<br />
This photograph, probably taken in <strong>the</strong> 1980s, shows Zelda White<br />
and Deanna Concannon at <strong>the</strong> far side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> room, handling<br />
emergency calls when it was located at <strong>the</strong> 700 West Grand Police<br />
Headquarters. <strong>Escondido</strong> Police Department Photograph.<br />
Today’s communications center, located in <strong>the</strong> more spacious<br />
Police and Fire Headquarters building, is staffed by 25<br />
employees, working shifts to ensure that phones are answered<br />
24/7 and 365 days per year. In <strong>the</strong> photo, Dispatcher Kim<br />
Rodriguez is viewing one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> five computer monitors at her<br />
station, typical for each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dispatch stations in <strong>the</strong> center. In<br />
2017, Dispatch answered more than 200,000 calls for service.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Police Department Photograph.<br />
1 1 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
A mounted police posse was formed by Police Chief Lloyd “Lefty” Mitchell in 1948, <strong>the</strong> first chartered mounted posse in <strong>the</strong> State <strong>of</strong><br />
California. The Posse continues a fine tradition today, a popular riding group in local parades, including <strong>the</strong> Pasadena Rose Parade in 2012.<br />
At one time, <strong>Escondido</strong>’s small police force was bolstered by county deputy<br />
sheriffs stationed here, primarily to serve at <strong>the</strong> County Courthouse, located on East<br />
<strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. In October, 1958, Sheriff Deputy Neil Poole, who is pictured here,<br />
was involved in locating two bodies left by Harvey Glatman, <strong>the</strong> notorious “Glamour<br />
Girl Slayer,” in <strong>the</strong> desert east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 1 1
Fire Protection<br />
In <strong>Escondido</strong>’s earliest days, <strong>the</strong> town marshal<br />
would ring a hand bell along Grand Avenue when<br />
smoke was detected, replaced by a large bell at<br />
City Hall in 1892. Firefighting equipment<br />
consisted <strong>of</strong> a two-wheeled cart with a garden<br />
hose wrapped around a central cylinder, pulled<br />
by anyone who could respond; <strong>the</strong> original cart is<br />
shown in this photograph.<br />
This 1914 Federal fire truck, with a maximum speed <strong>of</strong> twenty miles per hour, was <strong>the</strong> volunteer fire department’s first motorized piece<br />
<strong>of</strong> equipment. When it was overwhelmed during a major fire that destroyed <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Vineyard and Winery Company on <strong>the</strong> west<br />
side <strong>of</strong> town in 1926, funds were allocated for a 1926 La France fire truck with a 500-gallon water tank. Lea<strong>the</strong>r helmets and canvas turnout<br />
coats were purchased at <strong>the</strong> same time. In 1922, a 20-man volunteer fire department was established.<br />
1 1 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In 1939, <strong>the</strong> first fire station was constructed<br />
on <strong>the</strong> north side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year-old city hall. The<br />
two-story structure included a brass pole to speed<br />
<strong>the</strong> firefighters’ descent to <strong>the</strong> first floor. By 1953,<br />
<strong>the</strong> former all-volunteer Fire Department had two<br />
paid firefighters who alternated 24-hour shifts.<br />
The position <strong>of</strong> fire chief wasn’t full time until<br />
1958 when 18 full-time firefighters were hired<br />
and a Fire Prevention Bureau was established.<br />
This photograph was taken in 1987, <strong>the</strong> year<br />
before <strong>the</strong> fire station was demolished along with<br />
<strong>the</strong> old City Hall.<br />
Brand new Cadillac ambulance, c. 1916, driven by <strong>Escondido</strong> resident, Charles B. Weseloh for <strong>the</strong> San Diego Health Department. Photo<br />
provided by his grand-daughter, Jean Wold, who is currently serving along with her husband in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Fire Department.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 1 3
In 1961, a new main fire station with administrative <strong>of</strong>fices was built on Quince north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. It was heavily<br />
remodeled twice in its lifetime and demolished and replaced in 2008. By 1984, <strong>the</strong>re were five fire stations in <strong>Escondido</strong> and two<br />
more by 2009.<br />
In addition to <strong>the</strong> new Police/Fire Headquarters, Proposition P funding also provided for <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> three fire stations and for<br />
<strong>the</strong> rebuilding <strong>of</strong> Fire Station 1 on Quince Avenue, which opened in September 2009. The 28,340-square-foot facility includes a state-<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>-art<br />
six-story training ground with tower.<br />
The city’s first major fire occurred in 1929 when <strong>the</strong> first high school, <strong>the</strong>n located at 3rd Avenue and Hickory Street, burned to <strong>the</strong><br />
ground. Flames could be seen from at least as far as Poway. Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> new 1926 La France fire engine, now on display at Fire<br />
Station 1, broke down and was unable to be used to fight <strong>the</strong> fire.<br />
1 1 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Working in an area completely surrounded<br />
by wildland areas, <strong>Escondido</strong> fire crews have<br />
fought numerous fires in rough terrain and with<br />
development pushing outward from <strong>the</strong> city,<br />
wildland/urban interface fires have meant<br />
defending increasing numbers <strong>of</strong> homes located<br />
<strong>the</strong>re. The fire in this photograph, looking west,<br />
shows a brush fire near Lake Hodges Dam in<br />
November 1944.<br />
Flame (below) was a tiny puppy who became<br />
<strong>the</strong> last animal to be rescued from <strong>the</strong> tragic<br />
Humane Society fire (right) in January 2001.<br />
Approximately 85 animals were rescued<br />
overnight, but Flame had been overlooked in<br />
<strong>the</strong> darkness and wasn’t brought out from <strong>the</strong><br />
rubble until <strong>the</strong> following morning, 11 hours<br />
after <strong>the</strong> fire had started. The tragic fire, which<br />
killed at least 100 animals, garnered<br />
international attention and Flame was featured<br />
in an interview on <strong>the</strong> Today Show.<br />
Adopted by <strong>the</strong> department’s Public Education Specialist, Flame made several<br />
public appearances to teach fire safety behaviors before taking an early retirement.<br />
The two-alarm fire was determined to have been <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> arson, although<br />
an intensive investigation never uncovered <strong>the</strong> identity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> perpetrator. Flame’s<br />
photo by Julia Escamilla.<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 1 5
The events <strong>of</strong> 9/11 deeply affected our nation, and <strong>Escondido</strong> mourned <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> our own Juan Pablo Cisneros, a beloved 24-yearold<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> Orange Glen High School, who perished in <strong>the</strong> North Tower <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World Trade Center as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> terrorist attack.<br />
In response to <strong>the</strong> unprecedented loss <strong>of</strong> emergency responders, a small group <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> firefighters climbed into a borrowed<br />
motorhome with a supply <strong>of</strong> custom-printed T-shirts to sell and drove across country, collecting more than $250,000 from communities<br />
along <strong>the</strong> way. When <strong>the</strong>y reached New York City, <strong>the</strong> firefighters presented a check and connected personally with families and friends<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firefighters who had perished. Shown in this photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firefighters being blessed by <strong>the</strong> Police Department Chaplain are,<br />
(from left to right) Chris Sovay, Chaplain Pat Kenney, Mike O’Connor, Eric Souza, Mike Bertrand, and Mike Diaz.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> firefighter Pete Ordille, standing<br />
upright in <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photograph, was<br />
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Federal Emergency Management<br />
Agency Urban Search and Rescue team from San<br />
Diego, sent to New York City to work in <strong>the</strong><br />
aftermath <strong>of</strong> 9/11. Deployed from September 17<br />
until October 8, <strong>the</strong>y worked “<strong>the</strong> pile” in 12-<br />
hour shifts. Pete Ordille photograph<br />
1 1 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The Witch Creek Fire <strong>of</strong> 2007 started east <strong>of</strong> Julian and<br />
combined with <strong>the</strong> Guejito Fire in <strong>the</strong> San Pasqual <strong>Valley</strong>,<br />
spreading nearly to <strong>the</strong> coast, and burning more than 197,990<br />
acres and killing 2 people. The fires triggered <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
evacuation in county history with more than 500,000 people<br />
evacuated and a final total cost <strong>of</strong> $1.339 billion. The Witch<br />
Creek and Guejito Fires were among twenty-one wildfires<br />
burning in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California at <strong>the</strong> time. <strong>Escondido</strong> Fire<br />
Department photograph.<br />
The largest structure fire in <strong>the</strong> city’s history destroyed four<br />
four-story condominium buildings under construction in<br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong> in 2007. The dry wood framing, much <strong>of</strong><br />
it still surrounded by scaffolding, burned explosively with 300-<br />
foot flames and a 1,000-foot tall column <strong>of</strong> smoke visible from<br />
as far as <strong>the</strong> coast. The active fire continued from early afternoon<br />
until well into <strong>the</strong> night. A total <strong>of</strong> 100 firefighters responded<br />
along with 25 engines, including all five <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s and 20<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs from across North San Diego County. Damage was<br />
estimated at $6 million. Troy Burlington photograph.<br />
The city’s second four-alarm fire occurred in<br />
2017 when <strong>the</strong> abandoned historic Talone’s meat<br />
market and slaughter house on Hale Avenue, next<br />
to <strong>the</strong> I-15 Freeway, burned to <strong>the</strong> ground and<br />
presented a risk to <strong>the</strong> Sprinter light rail line.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Fire Department photograph<br />
C h a p t e r 5 F 1 1 7
<strong>Escondido</strong> Timeline<br />
1000 BC-1700 AD<br />
First people in area were <strong>the</strong> Kumeyaay Indians<br />
1843 Governor Micheltorena granted <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> to<br />
Juan Bautista Alvarado, who named <strong>the</strong> 12,653 acres “El<br />
Rincon del Diablo.”<br />
1846 Battle with Mexico fought at San Pasqual, December<br />
6, 1846<br />
1847 Treaty <strong>of</strong> Guadalupe Hidalgo<br />
1850 California became a state<br />
1855 After Alvarado died, his descendants started selling <strong>of</strong>f<br />
his land and Judge Oliver Wi<strong>the</strong>rby <strong>of</strong> San Diego began<br />
buying portions <strong>of</strong> El Rincon del Diablo. It took him 10<br />
years to purchase <strong>the</strong> entire ranch.<br />
1884 Post <strong>of</strong>fice name changed from Apex to <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
1885 The Thomas bro<strong>the</strong>rs came to California. Five <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Jacob Gruendike, and seven o<strong>the</strong>rs formed <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Land and Town Co. and purchased <strong>the</strong><br />
12,814-acre valley for $102,042.<br />
1886 Construction began on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel on <strong>the</strong> east<br />
end <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue. The University <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California, with Methodist backing, was given land to<br />
build a church on Grand Avenue and a seminary at 3rd<br />
and Hickory. Graham & Steiner opened <strong>the</strong> first store in<br />
town. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Times, a local newspaper, began<br />
weekly publication. The Board <strong>of</strong> Trade was founded,<br />
renamed <strong>the</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce in 1895.<br />
1887 Construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Oceanside-to-<strong>Escondido</strong> railroad<br />
line began in March 1887 and was completed in January<br />
1888. The Lime Street School, in what would later<br />
become Grape Day Park, opened. The first stagecoach<br />
travelled between San Diego and <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
1888 The City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was incorporated on October 8.<br />
It consisted <strong>of</strong> 1854 acres.<br />
1890 Population: 541. <strong>Escondido</strong> Irrigation District proposed<br />
a $450,000 bond issue to build a reservoir.<br />
1868 Nathaniel Harrison, a freed slave, homesteaded on <strong>the</strong><br />
side <strong>of</strong> Palomar Mountain. Wi<strong>the</strong>rby sold Rancho del<br />
Diablo to John, Josiah, and Mat<strong>the</strong>w Wolfskill and Ed<br />
McGeary for $8,000.<br />
1870 Zena Sikes built his adobe home (across Bear <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway from today’s Westfield Shoppingtown,<br />
North County)<br />
1891 Grand Avenue, downtown, had at least 12 oil lights. The<br />
Advocate, <strong>the</strong> second newspaper in town, began<br />
publication.<br />
1893 50,000 fruit trees were planted.<br />
1883 <strong>Valley</strong> purchased by <strong>the</strong> Stockton Company, a group<br />
formed by fifteen men from Central California. They<br />
planted grapes next to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek. It rained<br />
fifty inches which was too much for <strong>the</strong> grapes.<br />
1 1 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
1894 Construction <strong>of</strong> Bear <strong>Valley</strong> Dam began. USC’s seminary<br />
became <strong>Escondido</strong> High School.<br />
1895 Bear <strong>Valley</strong> Dam completed. Water became available.<br />
City’s first library built.<br />
1900 Population: 755. Grove owners formed <strong>the</strong> Citrus<br />
Union within <strong>the</strong> decade.<br />
1901 Street lights were changed from oil to gas.<br />
1905 The water bonds were paid <strong>of</strong>f on October 31. Grand<br />
Avenue received sidewalks.<br />
1907 Two inches <strong>of</strong> snow fell in February and again in April.<br />
A movie <strong>the</strong>ater opened. <strong>Escondido</strong> High School<br />
students dug a pool by hand, next to <strong>the</strong> school.<br />
1908 The first <strong>of</strong>ficial “Grape Day” was held on California<br />
Admission Day, September 9.<br />
1914 Palm trees were planted on Grand Avenue from <strong>the</strong> train<br />
depot to Maple Avenue.<br />
1915 Hotel Charlotta opened. <strong>Escondido</strong> Humane Society<br />
was organized.<br />
1916 “Hatfield’s Flood,” 24.1 inches, ruins railroad tracks. No<br />
trains in or out <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for a month.<br />
1917 San Diego Gas & Electric purchased <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Utilities Company and provided 24-hour service.<br />
1918 Lake Hodges Dam was completed.<br />
1920 Population: 1,789. Prohibition began, banning<br />
manufacture, sale, and transportation <strong>of</strong> alcohol while<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> acres <strong>of</strong> grapes are being grown in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
1921 First service station started in town.<br />
1909 Giant eucalyptus tree was planted in what will become<br />
Grape Day Park. Local newspapers, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Times<br />
and The Advocate, merged into The Times-Advocate.<br />
1910 Population 1,334. The first electric service in town was<br />
available on March 5 from sundown until 10:00 p.m.<br />
The Lime Street School, <strong>the</strong> city’s first, was torn down.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Women’s Club was organized. Carnegie<br />
Library replaced city’s first library.<br />
1911 Natural gas became available. In December, William<br />
Alexander bought <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land and Town<br />
Company.<br />
1912 Grand Avenue was fully paved.<br />
1922 A 20-man volunteer fire department was established.<br />
1923 <strong>Escondido</strong> Hotel, built in 1886, is torn down.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Hospital, <strong>the</strong> first in town, was opened on<br />
Grand Avenue by six doctors.<br />
E s c o n d i d o T i m e l i n e F 1 1 9
1924 <strong>Escondido</strong> Dam and Lake becomes Lake Wohlford.<br />
Kiwanis and Rotary clubs form.<br />
1927 <strong>Escondido</strong> High School moved into new building at <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Hickory Street and 4th Avenue. The Masons<br />
erected a flag pole in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> street on Grand<br />
at Broadway. The Felicita Pageant debuted.<br />
1928 <strong>Escondido</strong> Fruit Growers divided into <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Lemon Association and <strong>Escondido</strong> Orange Association.<br />
First commercial avocados planted.<br />
1936 WPA built an adobe band stand in Grape Day Park.<br />
1938 <strong>Escondido</strong> celebrated its fifty-year anniversary. The<br />
second City Hall, built <strong>of</strong> adobe, opened at Grand<br />
and <strong>Valley</strong>.<br />
1940 Population: 4,560.<br />
1929 A. L. Houghtelin constructed a 50-foot-diameter<br />
wooden tepee, which became a local landmark for<br />
nearly 50 years. First <strong>Escondido</strong> High School burned<br />
down. Lemon packing house opened.<br />
1930 Population: 3,421. Post <strong>of</strong>fice began home delivery <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> mail. Many street names changed. The city’s Board<br />
<strong>of</strong> Trustees changed <strong>the</strong>ir name to <strong>the</strong> City Council.<br />
1931 Lake Hodges overflowed <strong>the</strong> first time.<br />
1933 Charlotte Baker and Elizabeth Martin started <strong>the</strong> city’s<br />
second hospital in a former egg and poultry business on<br />
<strong>the</strong> west side <strong>of</strong> Lime Street, now Broadway, just north<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2nd Avenue.<br />
1941 World War II troops camped in Grape Day Park.<br />
1944 Flagpole on Grand Avenue at Broadway was removed.<br />
1 2 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
1945 Local lemon production reached a peak, with 1,159,039<br />
field boxes. Railroad passenger service between<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and Oceanside was discontinued.<br />
1947 <strong>Escondido</strong> High School had its first night football game.<br />
1948 Palomar Observatory was completed. Palomar Hospital<br />
District was formed.<br />
1949 Highway 395 opened through town.<br />
1950 Population: 6,544. Highway 395 to San Diego was<br />
opened. Palomar Hospital opened with 10 patients.<br />
Cora Swingle was <strong>the</strong> first woman elected to serve on<br />
City Council. The Ritz Theater was gutted by fire.<br />
1951 The city’s first annexation added 8.7 acres to <strong>the</strong> city.<br />
1952 Ups N Downs Roller Rink opened. Kay Owens started<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s only radio station, KOWN.<br />
1955 After a construction flaw in <strong>Escondido</strong> High School was<br />
discovered, <strong>the</strong> student body was divided, with some<br />
attending a new campus on North Broadway. The rest<br />
were taught in temporary classrooms on <strong>the</strong> original<br />
campus.<br />
1967 Four inches <strong>of</strong> snow fell in December. Patio Playhouse<br />
opened.<br />
1969 Kit Carson Park was dedicated.<br />
1970 Population: 36,792.<br />
1971 Dixon Dam and Lake were dedicated. City’s first<br />
library building was moved from Grand Avenue to<br />
Grape Day Park.<br />
1956 New library at 3rd Avenue and Kalmia Street replaced<br />
<strong>the</strong> Carnegie Library. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Historical Society<br />
was established.<br />
1959 Entire student body attended <strong>Escondido</strong> High School<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r again at North Broadway site.<br />
1960 Population:16,377. Lemon packing house closed.<br />
1962 Orange Glen High School opened.<br />
1964 <strong>Escondido</strong> Village Mall was built on East <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway.<br />
1966 Medians were added to Grand Avenue. The first<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Drive-In opened.<br />
1972 San Pasqual High School opened. San Diego Zoo’s Wild<br />
Animal Park opened.<br />
1974 Lorraine Boyce was <strong>the</strong> first woman to be elected mayor.<br />
1976 New Police Headquarters was built at 700 West Grand.<br />
Heritage Walk was established in Grape Day Park.<br />
1977 Dixon Lake Recreation Area was dedicated. <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Auto Park was built. The Tepee, a large wooden<br />
structure and local landmark for nearly fifty years was<br />
blown down by <strong>the</strong> wind.<br />
1980 Population: 64,355.<br />
E s c o n d i d o T i m e l i n e F 1 2 1
1981 Current library at Broadway and 2nd Avenue was built.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Auto Park opened. <strong>Escondido</strong> National Little<br />
League All-Star team played in <strong>the</strong> Little League World<br />
Series in Pennsylvania.<br />
1982 Rube Nelson’s Country Corner grocery store closed.<br />
2000 Population 133,630. Steve Waldron started <strong>the</strong> Cruisin’<br />
Grand event.<br />
1984 Santa Fe Depot was purchased from <strong>the</strong> Santa Fe<br />
Railroad Company and moved to Grape Day Park.<br />
2001 <strong>Escondido</strong> Humane Society in Kit Carson Park burned<br />
down. <strong>Escondido</strong> Children’s Museum opened on Grand<br />
Avenue.<br />
1986 North County Fair Shopping Center (currently Westfield<br />
North County), a regional shopping center, opened.<br />
1988 <strong>Escondido</strong> celebrated its centennial. City personnel<br />
moved into a new City Hall at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Broadway<br />
and <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. Biannual Street Faire began.<br />
1989 Downtown Farmers Market began in October<br />
1990 Population: 108,635<br />
1994 California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts opened.<br />
1995 East <strong>Valley</strong> Community Center opened. First Night<br />
began December 31, 1995. <strong>Escondido</strong> Arts Partnership<br />
was established.<br />
1996 Grape Day Festival and Parade were revived. City<br />
purchased Daley Ranch.<br />
2003 Queen Califia’s Magical Garden by Nikki de Saint Phalle<br />
opened in Kit Carson Park. In October, firestorms<br />
raged. Mingei International Museum satellite opened<br />
downtown. <strong>Escondido</strong> Humane Society opened new<br />
facility on East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway.<br />
2004 <strong>Escondido</strong> Children’s Museum moved to Studio One at<br />
<strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts. “Vinehenge,” public art<br />
that doubled as a playground opened in Grape Day Park.<br />
2006 <strong>Escondido</strong> Historical Society celebrated its fiftieth<br />
anniversary with a name change to <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center<br />
2007 Witch Creek fire destroyed more than 200,000 acres<br />
and caused two deaths. President Bush landed at San<br />
Pasqual High School to tour <strong>the</strong> devastation. Paramount<br />
Condominiums, under construction on <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Boulevard, burned down.<br />
1 2 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
2010 Population: 144,464 California State Polytechnic<br />
University, Pomona developed plan for “Revealing<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Creek” to create a linear park to ultimately<br />
replace most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood control channel.<br />
2008 Sprinter light rail system began running between<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and Oceanside.<br />
2012 The new 740,000-square-foot, 11-story Palomar<br />
Medical Center on <strong>the</strong> west side <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was<br />
opened.<br />
2013 The first leg <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Amgen Race <strong>of</strong> California started in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
2014 Maple Street Plaza, a pedestrian mall with public art pieces<br />
opens across from City Hall. For <strong>the</strong> first time, four <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
five City Council Members were elected from individual<br />
districts with <strong>the</strong> mayor elected by all city voters.<br />
2015 After more than 50 years, most departments in <strong>the</strong><br />
Palomar Medical Center downtown campus closed. The<br />
Roynon Museum <strong>of</strong> Earth Science and Paleontology<br />
opened to <strong>the</strong> public on Grand Avenue.<br />
2009 Final stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Amgen Race <strong>of</strong> California brought<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> bicycle enthusiasts downtown.<br />
2016 New agriculture-<strong>the</strong>med playground area opened at<br />
Grape Day Park. EcoVivarium, a “living museum,”<br />
featuring reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods opened<br />
to <strong>the</strong> public.<br />
2017 Talone’s meat market and slaughterhouse, vacant for<br />
several years, burned down.<br />
2018 Signage added to <strong>History</strong> Center’s Heritage Walk Buildings<br />
and Grand Avenue receives a new “<strong>Escondido</strong>” sign.<br />
2020 Like so many communities around <strong>the</strong> country, many<br />
businesses, recreational hotspots and civic events also<br />
faced hardships as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
E s c o n d i d o T i m e l i n e F 1 2 3
Introduction<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is a city rich in history, zealous for innovation, and thriving with culture. As a regional destination, <strong>Escondido</strong> is loved<br />
by everyone from hikers to vintners, car enthusiasts to animal lovers. Every time I visit <strong>Escondido</strong>, whe<strong>the</strong>r it is for a football game<br />
or a Rotary meeting, I am welcomed by <strong>the</strong> friendly faces and inviting places that make this city so special.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s unique blend <strong>of</strong> nostalgic history and vibrant future can be viewed as you walk or roll down Grand Avenue on a Friday<br />
evening in June during Cruisin' Grand. Its deep ancestral roots can be discovered as you spend a Saturday hiking <strong>the</strong> trails <strong>of</strong> Daley<br />
Ranch. The city’s abundant <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> nature is best experienced by spending an evening camping under <strong>the</strong> stars at Dixon Lake. And<br />
<strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community can be felt as you trick-or-treat through <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> neighborhood on Halloween.<br />
Arts and culture are alive in <strong>Escondido</strong>. Just take a stroll through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery during <strong>the</strong><br />
Farmers’ Market on a Tuesday or catch a performance by <strong>the</strong> students from A Step Beyond on <strong>the</strong> big stage at <strong>the</strong> California Center<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Arts. Enjoy a Broadway-worthy production from Patio Playhouse this summer at Kit Carson Park Amphi<strong>the</strong>ater or bring your<br />
littlest ones to play and explore at <strong>the</strong> San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. My family has made so many incredible memories<br />
with <strong>Escondido</strong> as our backdrop.<br />
As you take <strong>the</strong> time to explore <strong>the</strong> jewel <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hidden valley through <strong>the</strong> pages <strong>of</strong> this book, I leave with you a quote by American<br />
cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead. “A city is a place where <strong>the</strong>re is no need to wait for next week to get <strong>the</strong> answer to a question,<br />
to taste <strong>the</strong> food <strong>of</strong> any country, to find new voices to listen to and familiar ones to listen to again.” May you always cherish what you<br />
love about <strong>Escondido</strong> and embrace what you may have never known.<br />
Kristen Gaspar<br />
Supervisor, San Diego County<br />
Left: San Diego County Supervisor Kristen Gaspar.<br />
Right: The San Diego County Board <strong>of</strong> Supervisors (from left to right): Greg Cox, District 1; Kristen Gaspar, District 3; Nathan<br />
Fletcher, District 4; Dianne Jacob, District 2; and Jim Desmond, District 5.<br />
1 2 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Sharing <strong>the</strong> Heritage<br />
P r o f i l e s o f b u s i n e s s e s ,<br />
o r g a n i z a t i o n s , a n d f a m i l i e s t h a t h a v e<br />
c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a n d<br />
e c o n o m i c b a s e o f E s c o n d i d o<br />
Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E ...........................................................1 2 6<br />
T H E M A R K E T P L A C E .................................................................1 6 6<br />
B U I L D I N G A G R E AT E R E S C O N D I D O .......................................1 9 4<br />
F A M I LY H E R I T A G E ...................................................................2 0 4<br />
S h a r i n g t h e H e r i t a g e F 1 2 5
Carmichael & Sons’ General Store, February 1910.<br />
1 2 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Quality <strong>of</strong> Life<br />
H e a l t h c a r e p r o v i d e r s , f o u n d a t i o n s ,<br />
u n i v e r s i t i e s , a n d o t h e r i n s t i t u t i o n s t h a t<br />
c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e i n E s c o n d i d o<br />
The American Heritage Charter Schools ............................................1 2 8<br />
Palomar Health ............................................................................1 3 2<br />
Graybill Medical Group .................................................................1 3 6<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center ...............................................................1 3 7<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union School District ......................................................1 3 8<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare ...............................................................1 4 2<br />
City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ..........................................................................1 4 6<br />
The Grand ...................................................................................1 5 0<br />
Boys & Girls Clubs <strong>of</strong> Greater San Diego ..........................................1 5 2<br />
Citracado Dental ..........................................................................1 5 4<br />
Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Library .....................................................1 5 6<br />
North County Cemetery District ......................................................1 5 8<br />
Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ...............................................................1 6 0<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union High School District...............................................1 6 2<br />
Assistance League ® <strong>of</strong> North Inland County .......................................1 6 3<br />
Interfaith Community Services ........................................................1 6 4<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 2 7
THE AMERICAN<br />
HERITAGE<br />
CHARTER<br />
SCHOOLS<br />
G<br />
Above: Setting <strong>the</strong> tone: Five bronze<br />
statues salute <strong>the</strong> American flag at <strong>the</strong><br />
ECHS entrance.<br />
Below: “Coach” Dennis Snyder,<br />
Founder & First Executive Director<br />
In 1992 <strong>the</strong> California State Legislature<br />
passed <strong>the</strong> Charter Schools Act, which allowed<br />
<strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> independent public schools that<br />
were free from many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bureaucratic burdens<br />
placed on regular public district schools. These<br />
new independent public schools were<br />
established to provide educational choice and<br />
competition, encourage innovation in public<br />
schools, and improve student achievement.<br />
These new schools were also required to operate<br />
under a ‘charter’ granted by <strong>the</strong> local school<br />
district and are <strong>the</strong>refore commonly referred to<br />
as ‘charter schools’.<br />
In August 1996, under <strong>the</strong> guidance <strong>of</strong> Dennis<br />
Snyder—referred to as “Coach” Snyder by<br />
staff, students, parents and community members,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Charter High School (ECHS) received<br />
its charter from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Union High<br />
School District and began operating in a<br />
business complex at 1855 East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California with 62 students. From<br />
<strong>the</strong> outset, ECHS focused on small class sizes<br />
that provide academic excellence, back-tobasics<br />
education (reading, writing, math and<br />
science), technology/computer competency, and<br />
character development based on traditional<br />
American culture and values: honesty, integrity,<br />
individual initiative, service to o<strong>the</strong>rs, personal<br />
responsibility and <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial spirit.<br />
ECHS has grown steadily since <strong>the</strong> beginning<br />
by steadfastly maintaining its focus and<br />
providing a solid, top-notch educational choice<br />
for thousands <strong>of</strong> students.<br />
Since 1996 “Coach” Snyder has assembled<br />
outstanding teams <strong>of</strong> educators and has overseen<br />
<strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American Heritage Charter<br />
Schools from its first school, ECHS, to now include<br />
Flex Learning—9th to 12th grades; Heritage<br />
Elementary Charter School—K to 6th grades;<br />
Heritage Junior High Charter School—grades 7th<br />
& 8th grades; and Heritage Flex Academy—K to<br />
8th grades. “Coach” Snyder’s vision to provide<br />
‘educational choice’ in <strong>the</strong> local public school<br />
system has become a reality for students and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
families in and around <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Charter High School is<br />
committed to providing a safe and orderly learning<br />
environment in which teachers are responsible for<br />
implementing a curriculum based on <strong>the</strong><br />
fundamental skills that form <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong><br />
learning: reading, writing, ma<strong>the</strong>matics, and<br />
computer skills. Accomplishment in academic<br />
areas is stressed. In addition, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Charter High School emphasizes <strong>the</strong><br />
understanding and appreciation <strong>of</strong> American<br />
Civilization and United States <strong>History</strong>.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Charter High School believes<br />
that parents and <strong>the</strong> school share a dual<br />
responsibility in developing <strong>the</strong> education plan that<br />
will provide <strong>the</strong> individual student <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
to succeed both as a scholar and as a citizen.<br />
All <strong>the</strong> American Heritage Charter Schools<br />
fill a very important role. The schools have<br />
dedicated staff members who are committed to<br />
helping students succeed. A safe, orderly and<br />
secure environment is provided at all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
schools and <strong>the</strong> staff members understand <strong>the</strong><br />
sacrifices that families make, and <strong>the</strong>y support<br />
<strong>the</strong> vital role that parents play as partners in<br />
providing <strong>the</strong> education <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students.<br />
The over-riding mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American<br />
Heritage Charter Schools is to help prepare<br />
students for a successful, meaningful,<br />
productive life—whe<strong>the</strong>r it be continuing <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
education, entering <strong>the</strong> workforce, joining <strong>the</strong><br />
military, or establishing a home. Upon<br />
1 2 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
graduation ECHS students have been accepted<br />
at top-rated colleges/universities. This mission<br />
is accomplished by developing students with a<br />
solid base <strong>of</strong> foundational knowledge, critical<br />
thinking skills and previously listed positive<br />
character traits stressing honesty, integrity,<br />
personal responsibility and by instilling<br />
traditional American ideals <strong>of</strong> hard work,<br />
discipline and service that is necessary to<br />
provide leadership in <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
In addition to providing academic rigor, <strong>the</strong><br />
American Heritage Charter Schools provide a<br />
full range <strong>of</strong> athletic opportunities as well as<br />
many extra-curricular activities including a<br />
Robotics Program, an Academic League Team, a<br />
very active National Honor Society and a Civil<br />
Air Patrol Cadet Squadron #714 that is a US Air<br />
Force Auxiliary.<br />
ECHS is known for its magnificent statues...The<br />
life-size bronze statues on ECHS’ campus reinforce<br />
our American history, culture and values.<br />
• The Flag Raising—created by artist/sculptor<br />
Phyllis Peuker Raynes <strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Center—was<br />
unveiled in August 2003 and displays respect<br />
for our nation’s flag. As Raynes created <strong>the</strong>se<br />
five life-size, bronze figures, she gave a name<br />
to each one: Penny, Roberto, Isabelle, Donald<br />
and Edward. The first letter <strong>of</strong> each name<br />
spells “PRIDE.”<br />
• Lincoln—created by world-renowned sculptor<br />
Mark Lundeen <strong>of</strong> Loveland, Colorado, was<br />
unveiled in February 2005 in <strong>the</strong> ECHS<br />
courtyard in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school’s library. This<br />
life-size, bronze statue shows Abraham<br />
Lincoln holding a page from his famous<br />
Second Inaugural Address.<br />
G<br />
Above: The Flag Raising figures show<br />
respect for our flag.<br />
Below: The statue <strong>of</strong> Lincoln holds a<br />
page from Second Inaugural Address.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 2 9
G<br />
Above: The Spirit <strong>of</strong> ’76 painting<br />
brought to life.<br />
Below: A Patriot Day assembly<br />
at HK-6.<br />
• The American Spirit—also created by<br />
artist/sculptor Phyllis Peuker Raynes—was<br />
unveiled in May, 2008 in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
American Spirit Theater on <strong>the</strong> ECHS<br />
campus. These three life-size, bronze figures<br />
celebrate <strong>the</strong> founding <strong>of</strong> our nation and<br />
bring Archibald Willard’s famous painting,<br />
The Spirit <strong>of</strong> ’76, to life. As Raynes created<br />
each figure, she named <strong>the</strong>m: Ulysses,<br />
Samuel, and Adam. The first letters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
names spell: “USA.”<br />
American Heritage Charter Schools’<br />
innovative programs provide a seamless<br />
academic progression from kindergarten through<br />
high school and accommodate <strong>the</strong> varying needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> student population.<br />
• <strong>Escondido</strong> Charter High School (ECHS), 9th<br />
to 12th grades, 1868 East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California 92027<br />
• Flex Learning, 9th to 12th grades,<br />
463 North Midway Drive, <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
California 92027<br />
1 3 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
• Heritage Elementary School, Kindergarten to<br />
6th grades, 1855 East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, California 92027<br />
• Heritage Junior High School, 7th & 8th grades,<br />
2255 East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway, <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
California 92027<br />
• Heritage Flex Academy, Kindergarten to 8th<br />
grades, 2269 East <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway, <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
California 92027<br />
When <strong>Escondido</strong> Charter High School, <strong>the</strong><br />
flagship school for <strong>the</strong> American Heritage Charter<br />
Schools, was established in 1996, <strong>the</strong> policies and<br />
procedures were adopted by <strong>the</strong> founding Board<br />
members: Neal Steinbeck, President, and Keith<br />
Battle, Anita Powell and RoseMarie Crouch. The<br />
school’s founder, “Coach” Dennis Snyder, was <strong>the</strong><br />
first Executive Director for ECHS and from <strong>the</strong><br />
beginning provided important leadership and<br />
guidance and selected Ron McCowan to serve as<br />
<strong>the</strong> first Director/Principal. The school’s ‘tone’ was<br />
set! The vision for ‘improving pupil learning’<br />
continues as <strong>the</strong> focus for all <strong>the</strong> schools with <strong>the</strong><br />
staffs and parents working toge<strong>the</strong>r—<br />
TEAMWORK—making a difference in <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> students. From vision to reality—a reputation<br />
<strong>of</strong> excellence has been established by <strong>the</strong><br />
American Heritage Charter Schools and continues<br />
through <strong>the</strong> on-going dedication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> staffs,<br />
students and parents.<br />
School colors: Black, maroon and white<br />
School mascot: White Tigers<br />
School motto: “We will face any challenge with<br />
strength and pride.”<br />
For additional information about American<br />
Heritage Charter Schools, call: (760) 737-3154 or<br />
visit www.americanheritagecharterschools.<br />
G<br />
Below: Heritage Junior High School.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 3 1
PALOMAR<br />
HEALTH<br />
G<br />
Above: Charlotta Baker Hintz and<br />
Elizabeth Martin founded <strong>Escondido</strong>’s<br />
first hospital in 1933.<br />
Below: Palomar Memorial Hospital<br />
opened on Feb. 16, 1950 with 37 beds<br />
and 35 staff. The hospital grew to<br />
more than 300 beds by 1976 and was<br />
fully operational until 2016.<br />
Palomar Health has a long and rich history<br />
dating back to 1933 when a nurse and dietician<br />
from Orange County lead a grass-roots effort to<br />
establish <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first permanent hospital.<br />
Those early roots sprouted into what is today<br />
<strong>the</strong> largest public health district in California.<br />
Through name changes, expansions, and facility<br />
movements, Palomar Health has stayed true to<br />
its roots by meeting <strong>the</strong> health and well-being<br />
needs <strong>of</strong> a growing community.<br />
Mrs. Charlotta Baker Hintz, a nurse and Miss<br />
Elizabeth Martin, a dietician, life-long friends<br />
from Friedensau, Germany, founded “<strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Community Hospital” in <strong>the</strong> fall <strong>of</strong> 1933 (North<br />
County Inland’s first hospital) in a vacated egg<br />
and poultry building at 125 South Broadway in<br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
It originally began as thirteen beds but<br />
quickly grew to twenty-five, leaving little space<br />
to walk between beds and putting patients on<br />
waiting lists. Newborns slept in cardboard cribs.<br />
Emergency operations were performed on a<br />
stretcher in <strong>the</strong> bathroom. Patients with<br />
infectious diseases were placed next to noninfected<br />
patients. By 1945, <strong>the</strong> community<br />
realized it needed a new and expanded facility<br />
to meet growing demand.<br />
In 1945, a citizen’s group formed <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Hospital Association and<br />
began raising money to build a new hospital.<br />
They set a goal <strong>of</strong> $150,000, about one-third <strong>the</strong><br />
cost <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building with <strong>the</strong> remainder to be<br />
supplied by state and federal grants. They held<br />
benefit dances, rummage sales, raffles, etc., and<br />
raised <strong>the</strong> money in five months and eventually<br />
identified <strong>the</strong> ideal property on a nine-acre hill<br />
on Grand Avenue and <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. The<br />
property was purchased from Numerologist<br />
Stewart Henderson for $12,965 (after <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
$20,000) because he looked on <strong>the</strong> new hospital<br />
as representing LIFE. (The specific <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
corresponds to L being <strong>the</strong> 12th letter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
alphabet, I <strong>the</strong> 9th, F <strong>the</strong> 6th, and E <strong>the</strong> 5th and<br />
Henderson believed if he sold <strong>the</strong> land for<br />
L-I-F-E it would bring him good fortune).<br />
In 1948, two historic events took place in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>: <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Palomar<br />
Observatory and through a vote <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people,<br />
<strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> Palomar Health, <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
public healthcare district in California covering<br />
eight hundred square miles. Less than two years<br />
later, <strong>the</strong> new hospital was constructed and on<br />
1 3 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
February 16, 1950, ten patients transferred<br />
from <strong>the</strong> hospital on South Broadway to<br />
Palomar Memorial Hospital, named in honor <strong>of</strong><br />
local veterans who died during war. The thirtyseven<br />
bed hospital would become an iconic<br />
figure in <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for <strong>the</strong> next<br />
almost seventy years. On opening day it had 35<br />
employees, a monthly payroll <strong>of</strong> $9,000 and a<br />
daily private patient room rate <strong>of</strong> $13.<br />
The hospital grew in size with multiple<br />
additions throughout <strong>the</strong> 1950s and ’60s to<br />
keep pace with <strong>the</strong> population growth in north<br />
San Diego. In 1970, <strong>the</strong> iconic nine-story<br />
McLeod tower was constructed and by 1976,<br />
total bed capacity reached 306. The district<br />
opened its second hospital, Pomerado Hospital<br />
in Poway, on June 29, 1977. In 1985, Palomar<br />
Memorial Hospital received full designation as a<br />
trauma center and was renamed Palomar<br />
Medical Center in 1987.<br />
As <strong>the</strong> region continued to grow and new<br />
hospital building codes made retr<strong>of</strong>itting <strong>the</strong><br />
60-year-old facility a costly endeavor, Palomar<br />
Health hosted a series <strong>of</strong> more than 200 town<br />
hall meetings to discuss <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> healthcare<br />
in north inland San Diego County. Ultimately<br />
Proposition BB passed with nearly seventy<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> voters saying yes to a bond measure<br />
in November 2004 to construct a new hospital<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong> and upgrade existing facilities. In<br />
August 2012, <strong>the</strong> district’s third hospital,<br />
Palomar Medical Center <strong>Escondido</strong>, opened on<br />
Citracado Parkway. The new 288-bed acute care<br />
facility was known as “The Hospital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Future,” earning multiple awards for its quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> care, architecture, technology, and small<br />
carbon footprint. In June 2015, Palomar Health<br />
decided to close <strong>the</strong> downtown campus and sell<br />
<strong>the</strong> land to use for housing.<br />
Two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most prominent <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
physicians during <strong>the</strong> mid-twentieth century, and<br />
activists to build a new hospital, were Dr. Martin<br />
B. Graybill and Dr. Linus Adams. Dr. Adams<br />
opened his practice in what is now Rosemary-<br />
Duff Florist shop on Broadway and 2nd Avenue in<br />
1931 next to <strong>the</strong> mortuary and what would<br />
become <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first hospital.<br />
Dr. Adams loved to practice “country<br />
medicine,” his daughter, Edith Adams<br />
Hillebrecht said, meaning doing a little bit <strong>of</strong><br />
everything. She says he had his own pathology<br />
lab with a scope, operating room, x-ray machine<br />
and three separate rooms for people who were<br />
contagious. He had <strong>the</strong> same nurse, Lena, for<br />
<strong>the</strong> entire duration <strong>of</strong> his practice.<br />
Dr. Adams was instrumental in forming<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Hospital Association to<br />
raise funds for <strong>the</strong> new hospital and became<br />
chief <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> medical staff in 1956 during a<br />
time when every physician in town took turns<br />
doing shifts at <strong>the</strong> hospital. When he retired in<br />
1965, a wing <strong>of</strong> Palomar Medical Center was<br />
named for him.<br />
Dr. Douglas Moir, a long-time <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
resident and respected cardiologist, began his<br />
practice in 1975 and as <strong>of</strong> 2019 serves as <strong>the</strong><br />
Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Palomar Health Board <strong>of</strong> Directors.<br />
As a community activist, Dr. Moir was heavily<br />
involved in <strong>the</strong> fundraising and promoting <strong>of</strong><br />
Proposition BB to build <strong>the</strong> “Hospital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
G<br />
Above: <strong>Escondido</strong> Community<br />
Hospital opened in a vacated egg and<br />
poultry building at 125 South<br />
Broadway in downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Below: Palomar Medical Center<br />
Downtown, c. <strong>the</strong> 1970s.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 3 3
G<br />
Right: Dr. Doug Moir has been<br />
actively involved in promoting <strong>the</strong><br />
health and well being <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for<br />
more than forty years as a<br />
cardiologist and community activist<br />
and philanthropist.<br />
Below: Palomar Medical Center<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> was hailed as <strong>the</strong> Hospital<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Future when it opened in 2012.<br />
Future” on Citracado Parkway. Toge<strong>the</strong>r with his<br />
wife and friends, Dr. Moir also started one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
first hospital pet visiting programs in <strong>the</strong> nation<br />
at Palomar Health, Rx Pets (now known as<br />
Palomar Paws) that became a national model.<br />
Dr. Moir is a founding member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> California<br />
Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Charitable Foundation and has been an active<br />
philanthropist in <strong>the</strong> community. In 2018, <strong>the</strong><br />
North County Philanthropic Council awarded<br />
Dr. Moir with <strong>the</strong> “Robert Krejci Standard <strong>of</strong><br />
Excellence Award” for his tireless effort to<br />
promote and support <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
Palomar Health provides comprehensive<br />
coordinated care that extends from traditional<br />
hospital services to <strong>the</strong> community and your<br />
home. However, meeting <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
community goes beyond <strong>the</strong> normal breadth<br />
<strong>of</strong> services.<br />
In 1991, Palomar Health committed to<br />
helping survivors <strong>of</strong> sexual assault and child<br />
abuse by founding Forensic Health Services<br />
(FHS) to provide forensic medical evaluations<br />
and evidentiary examinations to hold<br />
perpetrators accountable. Today it serves more<br />
1 3 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
than a thousand victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence<br />
and sexual assault each year.<br />
Palomar Health maintains industry-leading<br />
standards as <strong>the</strong> only hospital-based home<br />
health care provider in San Diego County<br />
allowing patients to have peace <strong>of</strong> mind that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y will receive top-quality care in <strong>the</strong> comfort<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir home.<br />
To uphold <strong>the</strong> mission “to heal, comfort and<br />
promote health in <strong>the</strong> communities we serve,”<br />
Palomar Health holds more than six hundred<br />
free health education classes each year so<br />
residents can make <strong>the</strong> best health care decisions<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir families.<br />
Palomar Health is committed to supporting<br />
<strong>the</strong> healthcare workforce <strong>of</strong> tomorrow by<br />
operating <strong>the</strong> Pathmaker internship program<br />
that provides hands-on opportunities for more<br />
than 850 high school and college students<br />
performing 165,000 internship hours every year.<br />
Throughout <strong>the</strong> past eighty-five years,<br />
Palomar Health has continued to meet <strong>the</strong><br />
needs <strong>of</strong> a growing community by providing<br />
industry-leading health care close to home. In<br />
that time, <strong>the</strong> physicians, nurses, technicians<br />
and <strong>the</strong> entire workforce have been recognized<br />
with numerous national awards and<br />
designations including Centers <strong>of</strong> Excellence in<br />
Orthopedics, Heart and Vascular Care,<br />
Bariatrics, and Stroke care. The district<br />
operates <strong>the</strong> only Level Two Trauma Center in<br />
North San Diego County and one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> busiest Emergency Departments in<br />
California. In 2014, Palomar Health passed<br />
Mayo Clinic’s rigorous evaluation process and<br />
was named California’s first member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Mayo Clinic Care Network, bringing expertise<br />
from this top-ranked hospital to <strong>the</strong> residents <strong>of</strong><br />
North San Diego County.<br />
Palomar Health is as committed as ever to<br />
heal, comfort, and promote health in <strong>the</strong><br />
community and be <strong>the</strong> health system <strong>of</strong> choice<br />
for patients, physicians and employees for<br />
generations to come.<br />
G<br />
The Pathmakers internship<br />
program is developing healthcare<br />
leaders <strong>of</strong> tomorrow..<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 3 5
GRAYBILL<br />
MEDICAL<br />
GROUP<br />
G<br />
Right: Dr. Martin Graybill.<br />
Below: Graybill Medical Group’s <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
at 225 East Second Avenue.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> was a small town <strong>of</strong> just thirty-five<br />
hundred residents when a young Dr. Martin B.<br />
Graybill and his wife, Ruth, arrived in 1931. As he<br />
later recalled for <strong>Escondido</strong> historian Frances Ryan,<br />
“On Christmas Eve that year, Ruth and I stood on<br />
a hill in West <strong>Escondido</strong> and saw <strong>the</strong> panoramic<br />
view <strong>of</strong> Palomar Mountain covered with snow, <strong>the</strong><br />
beautiful greenery in all areas, and <strong>the</strong> beautiful<br />
orange trees just below us. I said to Ruth, ‘This is<br />
paradise. Here is where we should settle.’”<br />
Thus began a decades-long legacy <strong>of</strong> healthcare<br />
service to <strong>the</strong> community. In 1932, Dr. Graybill<br />
and Dr. Henry C. Barron opened <strong>the</strong> first Graybill<br />
Medical Office at 145 West Grand Avenue, on <strong>the</strong><br />
second floor <strong>of</strong> what was <strong>the</strong>n <strong>Escondido</strong> Hospital.<br />
During those early years, <strong>the</strong> physicians delivered<br />
babies, performed surgeries, took turns covering<br />
<strong>the</strong> emergency room at <strong>the</strong> hospital, and worked<br />
as a team helping each o<strong>the</strong>r with a wide variety <strong>of</strong><br />
medical procedures. The Group remained in its<br />
original location for more than two decades before<br />
moving to a new building at 250 South Kalmia.<br />
Economic development and a growing<br />
patient base resulted in growth for <strong>the</strong> Group<br />
and, eventually, a need for larger facilities. In <strong>the</strong><br />
mid-1990s, <strong>the</strong> Group relocated to a new multistory<br />
medical <strong>of</strong>fice at 225 East Second Avenue.<br />
Today, Graybill occupies nearly <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
50,000-square-foot building.<br />
Today, Graybill Medical Group has locations<br />
throughout North San Diego County plus<br />
Murrieta and Temecula in Riverside County. It<br />
provides more than 350,000 patient visits<br />
annually. More than eighty physicians and<br />
advanced practitioners <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong> following services:<br />
• primary care services, including family<br />
medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics<br />
• urgent care<br />
• specialty care services, including cardiology;<br />
ear, nose & throat; functional medicine;<br />
gastroenterology; general surgery; orthopedic<br />
surgery; sports medicine; and urology.<br />
In 2020, as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> COVID-19<br />
pandemic, <strong>the</strong> Group instituted enhanced safety<br />
measures at all locations to avoid <strong>the</strong> transmission<br />
<strong>of</strong> coronavirus. This included taking temperatures<br />
<strong>of</strong> all who enter <strong>the</strong> premises, requiring <strong>the</strong><br />
wearing <strong>of</strong> facial coverings, encouraging social<br />
distancing, and recommending <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
telehealth whenever possible.<br />
Dr. Graybill continued to practice medicine<br />
until his death in 1979. His values <strong>of</strong> quality,<br />
personalized health care remain <strong>the</strong> Group’s<br />
guiding principles today.<br />
1 3 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center is a<br />
non-pr<strong>of</strong>it 501(c)(3) organization. The<br />
grass roots community organization was<br />
formed in 1956 as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Historical Society. Its purpose: to collect<br />
photographs, artifacts, and documents.<br />
In January 2006 <strong>the</strong> organization’s name<br />
was changed to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center. The <strong>History</strong> Center relocated<br />
<strong>the</strong> city’s first library to Grape Day Park<br />
in 1971 and it became <strong>the</strong> first<br />
component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Center’s museum.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center has a photograph<br />
collection <strong>of</strong> over 8,000 images <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
and <strong>the</strong> immediate area, and a collection <strong>of</strong> over<br />
30,000 artifacts that emphasizes items with a<br />
clear connection to <strong>Escondido</strong> ei<strong>the</strong>r by<br />
manufacture or use. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>History</strong><br />
Center’s archival materials, including rare<br />
books, manuscripts, maps and paper files are<br />
currently on long term loan to <strong>the</strong> Pioneer<br />
Room <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Public Library where<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are accessible to <strong>the</strong> public.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center’s largest<br />
accomplishment is saving a number <strong>of</strong> significant<br />
buildings from destruction and moving <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
Grape Day Park where <strong>the</strong>y now form our local<br />
history museum. By visiting <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
<strong>History</strong> Center, visitors gain an understanding <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s history, and see how <strong>the</strong> city has<br />
grown and changed since it was incorporated in<br />
1888. The museum buildings represent <strong>the</strong> many<br />
facets <strong>of</strong> our community: residential, agricultural,<br />
business, transportation, and cultural life.<br />
With <strong>the</strong> initiation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> museum, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center began a period <strong>of</strong><br />
great growth and organizational progress which<br />
continues through today. The <strong>History</strong> Center’s<br />
many activities are as follows:<br />
• operating a free public museum<br />
• operating a working blacksmith and wheelwright<br />
shop<br />
• providing blacksmithing and wheelwright<br />
classes<br />
• providing access to research materials<br />
• promoting local history through various<br />
educational programs<br />
• conducting school tours and group tours<br />
• producing a quarterly newsletter and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
publications<br />
• interpreting <strong>Escondido</strong> history through<br />
exhibits, events and tours<br />
• producing annual events such as <strong>the</strong><br />
American Heritage Car Show, Adobe Home<br />
Tour, Grape Day Festival, and Movies in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Park<br />
• conducting monthly walking tours <strong>of</strong><br />
historic <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
HISTORY<br />
CENTER<br />
G<br />
Above: A view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
<strong>History</strong> Center from Broadway<br />
looking west. The <strong>History</strong> Center is<br />
comprised <strong>of</strong> six historic buildings<br />
which include <strong>the</strong> 1895 <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
first library; an 1890 Victorian<br />
country home; <strong>the</strong> 1907 Penner Barn;<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1908 Bandy Blacksmith and<br />
Wheelwright Shop; <strong>the</strong> 1888 Santa<br />
Fe Depot; and a 1929 Pullman<br />
railroad car.<br />
Bottom, left: A major function <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center is to<br />
promote local history education to <strong>the</strong><br />
schools in <strong>the</strong> area. Volunteer, Norm<br />
Barnhard, can be seen leading a<br />
group <strong>of</strong> 3rd graders through <strong>the</strong><br />
Santa Fe Depot.<br />
Bottom, right: Movies in <strong>the</strong> Park is<br />
an annual event produced by <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center in<br />
partnership with <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>. Free to <strong>the</strong> public,<br />
four family-friendly movies are<br />
shown each summer attracting<br />
hundreds <strong>of</strong> participants.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 3 7
ESCONDIDO<br />
UNION SCHOOL<br />
DISTRICT<br />
G<br />
Above: Orange Glen School was built<br />
quickly to replace Oak Glen School,<br />
which was destroyed by fire in 1894.<br />
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FRANCES RYAN<br />
COLLECTION, ESCONDIDO PUBLIC LIBRARY<br />
Below: Bus driver Jack St<strong>of</strong>t and his<br />
young passengers paused for a photo<br />
in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Grammar<br />
School, located at Fifth Avenue and<br />
Broadway (formerly Lime Street)<br />
c. 1919.<br />
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELOISE PERKINS<br />
COLLECTION, ESCONDIDO PUBLIC LIBRARY<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union School District (EUSD) has<br />
been a proud member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community for more<br />
than 135 years—well before <strong>Escondido</strong> became a<br />
city in 1888. EUSD has been educating, nurturing,<br />
and empowering <strong>the</strong> children <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> since<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1880s, giving <strong>the</strong> district a strong sense <strong>of</strong><br />
community and commitment.<br />
EUSD is hardly stuck in <strong>the</strong> past, however.<br />
Serving nearly 16,000 children from preschool<br />
through 8th grade, <strong>the</strong> district is a forwardthinking<br />
community that believes in educating<br />
and caring for <strong>the</strong> whole child—preparing <strong>the</strong>m<br />
for success in our neighboring <strong>Escondido</strong> Union<br />
High School District, in college, and beyond.<br />
From <strong>the</strong> district’s humble beginnings, at <strong>the</strong><br />
Little Rock Springs School, to our newest school<br />
community, at Quantum Academy, EUSD has<br />
grown and changed with <strong>the</strong> times.<br />
Had a visitor from <strong>the</strong> future told Elizabeth<br />
Judson, <strong>Escondido</strong>’s only teacher in <strong>the</strong> 1880s,<br />
what was to come for <strong>the</strong> community’s schools a<br />
century later and beyond, she likely would have<br />
thought it <strong>the</strong> stuff <strong>of</strong> science fiction: Children<br />
building robots, writing computer code, designing<br />
presentations on handheld electronic devices,<br />
taking instantly viewable photographs, making<br />
movies. In <strong>the</strong> 1880s, no one would have guessed<br />
that a woman would ever lead <strong>the</strong> school district.<br />
But that did happen, in 2006, when Jennifer<br />
Walters became superintendent.<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work that today’s <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
students produce also would be recognizable to<br />
nineteenth-century teachers. It’s just on a much<br />
bigger scale. EUSD children grow fruits and<br />
vegetables in large school gardens. They study<br />
<strong>the</strong> local environment. They create art and make<br />
music. They conduct science experiments. They<br />
exercise and compete in sports. They write<br />
stories, poems, and essays. They add, subtract,<br />
multiply, and divide—albeit in a much more<br />
thought-provoking manner than a century ago.<br />
EUSD’s roots in <strong>the</strong> community are deep, and<br />
it’s been a generous, give-and-take relationship<br />
from <strong>the</strong> beginning. Residents in 1894 rallied to<br />
rebuild a fire-stricken Oak Glen School into<br />
what would become Orange Glen School—<br />
thanks to <strong>the</strong> donation <strong>of</strong> orange trees from<br />
orchard owner B.F. Dixon. In <strong>the</strong> 1930s and<br />
1940s, <strong>the</strong> small neighboring districts <strong>of</strong><br />
Oakdale, Richland, and Rincon needed help<br />
educating <strong>the</strong>ir children, and <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
added to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> district. In 2014,<br />
residents overwhelmingly supported <strong>the</strong> district<br />
with <strong>the</strong> passage <strong>of</strong> a $182.1 million bond that<br />
1 3 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
today is providing much-needed modernization<br />
upgrades to our campuses.<br />
Community partnerships give <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
students access to extraordinary enrichment<br />
experiences. Today, EUSD is fortunate to call<br />
more than two dozen organizations true<br />
community partners in <strong>the</strong> education and care<br />
<strong>of</strong> our students. These include—but are far from<br />
limited to—an arts center, a state university, a<br />
technology company, a museum, an orchestra,<br />
health agencies, environmental organizations,<br />
charitable foundations, youth agencies, local<br />
government, and much more.<br />
These partners aim to get our students out in<br />
<strong>the</strong> field learning to protect our watershed. They<br />
work to shade our kindergartners from <strong>the</strong><br />
bright Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California sun. They raise funds<br />
for innovative classroom projects like a<br />
hydroponic garden. They enrich our students’<br />
musical education experience. They support our<br />
families with an extra layer <strong>of</strong> social-emotional<br />
resources. These are parents and taxpayers who<br />
support multimillion-dollar bonds to modernize<br />
our campuses.<br />
EUSD families want <strong>the</strong>ir children to have<br />
opportunities that enrich <strong>the</strong>ir lives and are<br />
relevant to <strong>the</strong> things <strong>the</strong>y are learning. EUSD<br />
students have opportunities that go beyond<br />
reading, writing, and arithmetic. The district<br />
achieves this by creating enrichment programs<br />
with partners in <strong>the</strong> community. These programs<br />
provide hands-on experiences in and outside <strong>the</strong><br />
classroom that would expose students to realworld<br />
applications <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lessons <strong>the</strong>y are learning<br />
in science, math, art, music, and more.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> those most valuable partners has been<br />
<strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts, <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
(CCAE), which provides pr<strong>of</strong>essional performance<br />
space for our students as well as numerous arts<br />
education programs. The crowning achievement <strong>of</strong><br />
this partnership is <strong>the</strong> annual smART festival. The<br />
visual and performing arts showcase, which began<br />
in 2013, is a flagship event for <strong>the</strong> district,<br />
featuring thousands <strong>of</strong> pieces <strong>of</strong> art and numerous<br />
band and <strong>the</strong>ater performances. Its growth and<br />
success is a testament to <strong>the</strong> partnership between<br />
<strong>the</strong> district and CCAE.<br />
In 2019, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se programs was awarded<br />
an Honorable Mention Inspire Award in <strong>the</strong><br />
Classroom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Future Foundation’s annual<br />
Innovation in Education Awards. That program,<br />
“Protecting Our Watershed: Inquiry to Action,”<br />
was spearheaded by an EUSD science educator,<br />
who brought toge<strong>the</strong>r The <strong>Escondido</strong> Creek<br />
Conservancy, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy,<br />
and San Diego Zoo to give every 3rd-, 4th-, and<br />
5th-grader hands-on field work experience.<br />
This extraordinary field work also happens for<br />
our middle-schoolers thanks to <strong>the</strong> Friends <strong>of</strong><br />
Daley Ranch.<br />
EUSD’s partnership with <strong>Escondido</strong>’s own<br />
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum<br />
supports our youngest learners and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
families, with field-work visits to <strong>the</strong> museum<br />
and complimentary museum memberships so<br />
students can return with <strong>the</strong>ir parents. The<br />
Summer Scholars program with <strong>the</strong> Palomar<br />
G<br />
Above: <strong>Escondido</strong> Grammar School,<br />
completed in 1910, also known as <strong>the</strong><br />
Fifth Avenue School. The two-story,<br />
red-brick school was similar to its<br />
predecessor, Lime Street School.<br />
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCES RYAN<br />
COLLECTION, ESCONDIDO PUBLIC LIBRARY<br />
Below: First-grade teacher at Rose<br />
Elementary, Stephanie Glanz was<br />
honored as a “San Diego County<br />
Teacher <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year for 2018-19.” She<br />
teaches in <strong>the</strong> same classroom where<br />
she sat as a second-grader.<br />
CREDIT: COURTESY OF ESCONDIDO UNION<br />
SCHOOL DISTRICT<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 3 9
1 4 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y<br />
Family YMCA combines academic work with<br />
enrichment activities. In addition to extra<br />
academic support, students had <strong>the</strong> chance to<br />
learn to swim and try o<strong>the</strong>r sports.<br />
These partnerships support our children and<br />
families beyond academics and focus on health<br />
and well-being to ensure that students are ready<br />
to learn when <strong>the</strong>y arrive in class every day. With<br />
school social workers, family liaisons, and<br />
counselors in every school, backed by a stellar<br />
intervention and Integrated Student Supports<br />
team, our students and families are well-assisted.<br />
The district’s community collaborative<br />
partnership program, born as <strong>the</strong> award-winning<br />
CARE Youth Project, has made a tremendous<br />
impact on our students and schools. This project<br />
earned a prestigious Golden Bell Award from <strong>the</strong><br />
California School Boards Association, and a<br />
Public Health Champion Award from <strong>the</strong> County<br />
<strong>of</strong> San Diego Health and Human Services Agency.<br />
In 2015, EUSD was one <strong>of</strong> 11 school districts in<br />
California to be designated as a model <strong>of</strong><br />
attendance improvement by <strong>the</strong> State School<br />
Attendance Review Board.<br />
These are just a fraction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dozens<br />
community partnerships <strong>of</strong> which we are proud<br />
to be involved.<br />
EUSD programs are admired near and far. The<br />
Technology and Innovation team’s work is just<br />
one example. Its iREAD program has been<br />
modeled around <strong>the</strong> world, with educators from<br />
Japan and New Zealand making repeat visits to<br />
EUSD to learn more and replicate <strong>the</strong> program’s<br />
success. Our technology initiatives continue to<br />
grow, with one-to-one iPads rolling out across all<br />
grade levels, accompanied by <strong>the</strong> highest level <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional training for all teachers in order to<br />
maximize <strong>the</strong> potential <strong>of</strong> this education tool.<br />
This technology enhances <strong>the</strong> learning experience<br />
for students, giving a boost to communication,<br />
collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. It<br />
comes as no surprise that EUSD is a three-time<br />
recipient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Apple Distinguished Program<br />
award that recognizes innovation, leadership, and<br />
educational excellence.<br />
Today, EUSD educators and support staff are<br />
committed to opening <strong>the</strong> doors to <strong>the</strong> unlimited<br />
potential for every student through award-winning<br />
academic, arts, technology, and family engagement<br />
programs. In EUSD, all means all when preparing<br />
our students for <strong>the</strong> twenty-first century.
G<br />
Opposite, top: Lincoln Elementary<br />
students grow food in a hydroponic<br />
indoor garden established by teacher<br />
Melody Crook. Everything <strong>the</strong><br />
students harvest is used in <strong>the</strong><br />
school cafeteria.<br />
COURTESY OF THE ESCONDIDO UNION<br />
SCHOOL DISTRICT.<br />
Opposite, middle: Del Dios Academy<br />
<strong>of</strong> Arts and Sciences was established<br />
as a specialty school in 2014. In<br />
2018, <strong>the</strong> school unveiled a state-<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>-art<br />
STEM lab that was made<br />
possible by a $100,000 grant from <strong>the</strong><br />
Northrop Grumman Foundation.<br />
COURTESY OF THE ESCONDIDO UNION<br />
SCHOOL DISTRICT.<br />
It’s no wonder that so many <strong>of</strong> our students,<br />
parents, teachers, and staff members are 2nd-,<br />
3rd-, or even 4th-generation EUSD families.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> EUSD’s award-winning educators<br />
teaches in <strong>the</strong> very classroom where she sat<br />
years ago as a 2nd-grader.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Union School District is<br />
dedicated to providing a high-quality, enriching<br />
educational experience for all students. It is a<br />
school district that is constantly moving forward<br />
in an upward trajectory.<br />
The sky is <strong>the</strong> limit for EUSD students, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are ready to tackle <strong>the</strong> world. See for<br />
yourself: We encourage community members to<br />
set up a visit to one <strong>of</strong> our beautiful campuses or<br />
attend one <strong>of</strong> our festive events.<br />
Opposite, bottom: EUSD was a<br />
pioneer in using hand-held digital<br />
devices to enhance learning and<br />
instruction. By 2020, every student in<br />
<strong>the</strong> district will be assigned an iPad to<br />
use for classwork and homework.<br />
COURTESY OF THE ESCONDIDO UNION<br />
SCHOOL DISTRICT.<br />
Above: EUSD boasts a robust visual<br />
arts program, and students’<br />
creativity is showcased at <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
smART Festival.<br />
Left: Broadcast production programs<br />
are in place at five middle schools and<br />
numerous elementary schools in<br />
EUSD, with students producing daily<br />
and weekly news programming.<br />
COURTESY OF THE ESCONDIDO UNION<br />
SCHOOL DISTRICT.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 4 1
NEIGHBORHOOD<br />
HEALTHCARE<br />
It was 1969, <strong>the</strong> year that man landed on <strong>the</strong><br />
moon. The possibilities seemed endless and a<br />
spirit <strong>of</strong> unity was foremost in <strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong> local<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> residents.<br />
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong left a plaque<br />
on <strong>the</strong> moon in July 1969 that said: “Here men<br />
from planet Earth first set foot upon <strong>the</strong> Moon.<br />
We came in peace for all mankind.”<br />
If we could land on <strong>the</strong> moon, surely<br />
concerned <strong>Escondido</strong> leaders could bring a<br />
spirit <strong>of</strong> unity and collaboration to solve our<br />
problems right here at home. A handful <strong>of</strong><br />
concerned <strong>Escondido</strong> citizens did just that by<br />
opening <strong>Escondido</strong>’s first, free community clinic<br />
in September 1969.<br />
Thanks to <strong>the</strong> determined efforts <strong>of</strong> Dr. and<br />
Mrs. Oliver Thomas, along with Dr. and Mrs.<br />
William Boyce and o<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong> free clinic called<br />
“<strong>Escondido</strong> Community Clinic” became a<br />
reality. City volunteers paid <strong>the</strong> city one dollar<br />
for a one-year “lease” for a building in<br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Once <strong>the</strong> clinic opened its doors, Dr. Thomas<br />
began seeing patients at no charge for three days<br />
a week and free healthcare was available for<br />
anyone in need.<br />
Why <strong>the</strong> need for a free clinic? It was quite<br />
simple. Sick children who were missing school<br />
could now get help and medication when<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir parents could not afford to pay a doctor.<br />
Adults could get care as well. Adults checking<br />
into Palomar Hospital’s emergency room with<br />
a toothache, <strong>the</strong> flu or a bad back now had<br />
access to a new “medical home” at <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Community Clinic and could avoid going to <strong>the</strong><br />
local emergency room.<br />
Fifty years later, Neighborhood Healthcare<br />
(<strong>Escondido</strong> Community Clinic) now boasts<br />
sixteen health centers located throughout San<br />
Diego and Riverside counties. Since that first<br />
clinic’s opening in 1969, each successive decade<br />
has brought more growth and diversification to<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare, which incorporated<br />
in 1971.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1970s, <strong>the</strong> clinic acquired nonpr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
status, added volunteer dental services, and<br />
moved into a new facility to allow more patients<br />
to get care.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1980s, <strong>the</strong> clinic’s services expanded to<br />
include prenatal care for moms and babies. Tracy<br />
Ream was named chief executive <strong>of</strong>ficer, <strong>the</strong> clinic’s<br />
first full-time physician was hired and Saturday<br />
hours were added. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> extraordinary<br />
demand for its services, Neighborhood Healthcare<br />
outgrew its original health center and renovated a<br />
retail building on Elm Street in <strong>Escondido</strong>, thanks<br />
to financial assistance from Palomar Health. The<br />
center <strong>of</strong>fered prenatal care, vaccines, and medical<br />
services for those without health insurance.<br />
Five new clinics—in Temecula, Pauma <strong>Valley</strong>,<br />
Lakeside, El Cajon, and La Mesa—opened in <strong>the</strong><br />
1990s. In partnership with Palomar Health and<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Women’s OB/GYN group, a nurse<br />
1 4 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
midwife program for comprehensive prenatal,<br />
deliveries, and postpartum care for low-income<br />
women was initiated in 1995. The same year, an<br />
adult medicine <strong>of</strong>fice in <strong>Escondido</strong> specializing in<br />
care for <strong>the</strong> HIV population was opened under<br />
<strong>the</strong> expertise <strong>of</strong> Dr. Daniel Harrison, an internal<br />
medicine doctor who specialized in treating <strong>the</strong><br />
exploding population <strong>of</strong> HIV positive individuals.<br />
In 2002, Neighborhood Healthcare merged<br />
with East County community health centers<br />
in Lakeside, El Cajon, and La Mesa and was<br />
designated to receive federal funding. In<br />
response to <strong>the</strong> increased demand for geriatric<br />
services, Neighborhood Healthcare purchased<br />
and renovated a building in <strong>Escondido</strong> to serve<br />
older adults in 2008.<br />
The next decade brought fur<strong>the</strong>r growth and<br />
accomplishments for Neighborhood Healthcare.<br />
In 2016, <strong>the</strong> organization successfully<br />
completed a $3-million campaign for <strong>the</strong> Gold<br />
Family Health Center in Poway. This milestone<br />
was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony<br />
and, in 2018, The Gold Family Health Center in<br />
Poway opened its doors.<br />
Meanwhile, Tracy Ream retired as CEO in<br />
November 2017 after thirty-one years <strong>of</strong><br />
service. The Board <strong>of</strong> Directors named Dr.<br />
Rakesh Patel as her successor. Dr. Patel worked<br />
at Neighborhood Healthcare for fifteen years<br />
prior to his appointment as CEO. He began<br />
working as a family physician in 2002,<br />
spending much <strong>of</strong> his time caring for <strong>the</strong><br />
Middle Eastern refugee population seeking care<br />
at Neighborhood Healthcare, El Cajon. Over<br />
<strong>the</strong> years, he had moved into more<br />
administrative leadership roles.<br />
“I am honored to be part <strong>of</strong> an organization<br />
where hearts still guide our mission and where<br />
I am supported by <strong>the</strong> hardest working and<br />
most compassionate employees, leadership and<br />
board <strong>of</strong> directors out <strong>the</strong>re,” said Dr. Patel.<br />
“Our mission is to improve <strong>the</strong> health and<br />
happiness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> communities we serve by<br />
providing high-quality healthcare to all,<br />
regardless <strong>of</strong> situation or circumstance has<br />
never changed in fifty years. That’s what makes<br />
<strong>the</strong> relationship we have with <strong>the</strong> communities<br />
we serve so special.”<br />
During Tracy Ream’s remarkable tenure, she<br />
led a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it community healthcare agency<br />
that transformed from a tiny <strong>of</strong>fice provided by<br />
G<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare builds<br />
lifelong relationships. A patient as a<br />
child, this young woman (left) is now<br />
employed with us as a nurse. We are<br />
so proud!<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 4 3
G<br />
Above: Breaking ground for <strong>the</strong> Gold<br />
Family Health Center.<br />
Below: Growing access to quality<br />
healthcare for <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
<strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for a dollar’s rent per year<br />
to a two county, 14-site health system serving<br />
67,000 low-income and uninsured patients and<br />
comprising some 271,000 medical, dental and<br />
behavioral health visits a year.<br />
Since its inception, Neighborhood Healthcare<br />
has been committed to providing quality<br />
healthcare and promoting wellness to everyone in<br />
its communities. Over <strong>the</strong> years, Neighborhood<br />
Healthcare has expanded its services to include<br />
not only medical care, but also dental, behavioral<br />
healthcare, chiropractic care, acupuncture care<br />
and podiatry. In addition, various educational<br />
programs to encourage healthy lifestyles are<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered as well as teen wellness clinics. This<br />
program helps local teenagers address healthcare<br />
1 4 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
issues and includes screening for depression.<br />
Teens discuss traits <strong>of</strong> healthy relationships and<br />
staff teach interested students how to prepare for<br />
a college education.<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare now operates 16<br />
health centers in two counties, cares for 66,500<br />
patients, employs 720 staff members, and has<br />
an operating annual budget <strong>of</strong> $75 million.<br />
Clearly, <strong>the</strong> little neighborhood clinic has<br />
grown up quite nicely. And, in 2019,<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare celebrates an<br />
enduring milestone—fifty years <strong>of</strong> healing and<br />
hope to its neighbors in need!<br />
G<br />
Top: The generous support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> community has allowed<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare to grow to<br />
16 health centers serving 66,500<br />
patients each year.<br />
Middle: The annual Pace Setter Gala.<br />
Bottom: Celebrating fifty years<br />
<strong>of</strong> service.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 4 5
CITY OF<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
The City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s rich past brings<br />
charm and stability to <strong>the</strong> community. You can<br />
see it in <strong>the</strong> historic homes <strong>of</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> or<br />
experience it in <strong>the</strong> thriving downtown area and<br />
<strong>the</strong> weekly blast from <strong>the</strong> past, “Cruisin’ Grand.”<br />
Yet integrated with <strong>Escondido</strong>’s treasured<br />
heritage is a progressive future, bright and<br />
brimming with promise. New jobs, new cultural<br />
amenities, new entertainment venues, new<br />
choices for residential living, and a new vision<br />
for <strong>Escondido</strong>’s future make <strong>Escondido</strong> a safe,<br />
clean, and efficiently run city.<br />
Incorporated in 1888, <strong>Escondido</strong> is a fullservice,<br />
general-law city with four Council<br />
Members elected by district, and a Mayor<br />
elected at large. These elected <strong>of</strong>ficials create <strong>the</strong><br />
policy that shapes <strong>the</strong> City while navigating<br />
challenges and prioritizing <strong>the</strong> safety and<br />
quality <strong>of</strong> life in <strong>Escondido</strong>. The City operates<br />
under <strong>the</strong> Council-Manager form <strong>of</strong> government<br />
1 4 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
that combines <strong>the</strong> strong political leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
elected <strong>of</strong>ficials in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> a Council with<br />
<strong>the</strong> strong managerial experience <strong>of</strong> an<br />
appointed local government manager.<br />
More and more people are making<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir “City <strong>of</strong> Choice.” As <strong>the</strong> heart<br />
<strong>of</strong> San Diego’s North County, it is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few<br />
remaining communities where people <strong>of</strong> all<br />
income levels can enjoy <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California<br />
lifestyle. <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers attractive homes in a<br />
wide range <strong>of</strong> prices, education options from<br />
grade school to university, two lakes, several<br />
parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants,<br />
breweries and wineries, shopping centers, an<br />
established auto park, comprehensive<br />
healthcare and <strong>the</strong> nearby San Diego Zoo’s<br />
Safari Park. In addition, our beautiful local<br />
<strong>the</strong>aters bring world class entertainment to <strong>the</strong><br />
area at <strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, Patio Playhouse, <strong>the</strong> Amphi<strong>the</strong>ater<br />
at Kit Carson Pak, and <strong>the</strong> Welk Theater. Queen<br />
Califia’s Magical Circle sculpture garden was<br />
donated by late internationally renowned artist<br />
Niki de Saint Phalle and opened in Kit Carson<br />
Park in 2003.<br />
In recent years <strong>Escondido</strong> was named<br />
by Money Magazine as <strong>the</strong> “Best Place in<br />
<strong>the</strong> West” in which to retire and, at <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spectrum, was named a<br />
“Kid-Friendly City” for our broad range <strong>of</strong><br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 4 7
1 4 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y<br />
youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also<br />
ranked <strong>Escondido</strong> number eight among <strong>the</strong><br />
“Top Ten Cities for Government.”<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council adopted a<br />
Council Action Plan in 2000 to provide a<br />
comprehensive road map for achieving goals.<br />
The City Council Action Plan represents <strong>the</strong><br />
City Council’s collective vision for <strong>Escondido</strong>’s<br />
future and <strong>the</strong> key strategies that will be used to<br />
achieve that vision. It is developed biennially<br />
following a workshop where key policy<br />
interests are identified and discussed by <strong>the</strong><br />
City Council, City staff and <strong>the</strong> public. City staff<br />
<strong>the</strong>n work collaboratively to make sure <strong>the</strong> City<br />
Council’s goals remain a top priority across all<br />
departments. The current Council Action Plan<br />
is focused in four areas:<br />
Economic Development—A key priority for<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council is to ensure <strong>the</strong><br />
City’s business community thrives. Staff have<br />
expanded <strong>Escondido</strong>’s Comprehensive<br />
Economic Development Strategy to target<br />
specific geographic areas based on factors such<br />
as demographics and emerging trends. To keep<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> positioned as a business forward<br />
community, <strong>the</strong> City has partnered with <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r five cities in <strong>the</strong> North County region<br />
along <strong>the</strong> Highway 78 Corridor to form<br />
Innovate 78 to collaborate as a hub for<br />
innovation. <strong>Escondido</strong> strives to maintain a
strong relationship with business groups in<br />
<strong>the</strong> City including, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> Commerce, <strong>the</strong> Downtown Business<br />
Association, and <strong>the</strong> Mercado Business District.<br />
Fiscal Management—The City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
wea<strong>the</strong>red <strong>the</strong> Great Recession that began in<br />
2007. During that time, <strong>the</strong> City reduced<br />
government size, improved efficiencies, and<br />
streamlined regulations. Because it proactively<br />
responded to <strong>the</strong> economic downturn, <strong>the</strong> City<br />
now boasts a bond rating <strong>of</strong> AA- and has built a<br />
General Fund reserve surpassing $17 million. In<br />
an effort to continue to protect <strong>the</strong> City’s fiscal<br />
health, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council has started<br />
to contribute surplus funds to <strong>the</strong> employee<br />
pension trust.<br />
Neighborhood Improvement—A key priority<br />
for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City Council is enhancing <strong>the</strong><br />
quality <strong>of</strong> life in <strong>the</strong> City. Strategic goals have<br />
been set to improve our neighborhoods:<br />
increasing proactive code enforcement staffing<br />
and activity, aggressively addressing issues<br />
related to homelessness, improving traffic flow,<br />
rehabilitating pool and recreation facilities, and<br />
developing more opportunities for youth.<br />
Public Safety—<strong>Escondido</strong> is a full-service<br />
city with our own police and fire departments,<br />
and providing top notch public safety services<br />
is central to our mission. In <strong>the</strong> past few years,<br />
<strong>the</strong> City has developed unique and effective<br />
strategies to partner with <strong>the</strong> community to<br />
enhance public safety. These programs—<br />
<strong>the</strong> Neighborhood Transformation program<br />
(NTP) and <strong>the</strong> Neighborhood Enhancement,<br />
Awareness and Training (NEAT) program are<br />
thriving and creating a strong sense <strong>of</strong><br />
empowerment in <strong>the</strong> City’s neighborhoods.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> continues to be a great city in<br />
which to conduct business, to explore, and to<br />
call home.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 4 9
THE GRAND<br />
G<br />
Above: The site <strong>of</strong> The Grand,<br />
c. <strong>the</strong> 1950s.<br />
Below and opposite page: The Grand<br />
Opening, October 2020.<br />
THE HISTORIC RITZ THEATER<br />
The cultural heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has always<br />
been on Grand Avenue, and for much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
city’s early history, an icon <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue was<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ritz Theater. Originally built in 1937 by Mr.<br />
and Mrs. John Johnson, <strong>the</strong> historic <strong>the</strong>ater was<br />
once a vibrant place <strong>of</strong> community life in <strong>the</strong><br />
early-mid 20th century until 1951 when a fire<br />
gutted <strong>the</strong> interior. It reopened in 1954, but<br />
struggled and eventually even became an X-<br />
rated movie house in <strong>the</strong> early 1970's called <strong>the</strong><br />
Pussycat Theater. After being shut down for a<br />
time, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater was reopened with family films<br />
in 1976 and renamed <strong>the</strong> Bijou Theater, but <strong>the</strong><br />
venture failed. The <strong>the</strong>ater was remodeled again<br />
in 1981 and featured Spanish language films. In<br />
1993, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater was renamed once more as <strong>the</strong><br />
Big Screen Theater and showed art films, but<br />
that did not last long. In 2003 <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater was<br />
once more called by it’s original name <strong>the</strong> Ritz<br />
Theater, but <strong>the</strong> double bill only lasted nine<br />
days and <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater closed, remained vacant for<br />
over 15 years.<br />
In 2018, New Vintage Church, a local nondenominational<br />
church led by Pastor Tim Spivey,<br />
launched an exciting, fresh project to restore <strong>the</strong><br />
Ritz and redevelop <strong>the</strong> adjacent corner building<br />
into a stunning new performing arts complex and<br />
community events venue, called The Grand. This<br />
reimagined and fully renovated space would not<br />
only function as a <strong>the</strong>ater, but now serve multiple<br />
uses, bringing new people, vibrancy and cultural<br />
activity back to <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Working closely with a world-class team <strong>of</strong><br />
architects, city council and planning <strong>of</strong>ficials, as well<br />
as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Historical Society,<br />
Pastor Spivey and his team were very<br />
intentional about honoring <strong>the</strong> historic<br />
significance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original Ritz Theater,<br />
utilizing <strong>the</strong> art-deco elements that are<br />
reminiscent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater’s golden era,<br />
including a newly commissioned mural<br />
by esteemed artists Darren LaGallo and<br />
Chandler Woods. The result was a<br />
beautifully expanded and enhanced<br />
structure, including <strong>the</strong> iconic corner<br />
blade sign that is now a landmark,<br />
making this one <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>'s most<br />
significant buildings in <strong>the</strong> same style as<br />
<strong>the</strong> California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts and<br />
City Hall.<br />
1 5 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
A GRAND NEW ERA<br />
The new Grand building opened Fall <strong>of</strong><br />
2020. The renovation included a fully updated<br />
Ritz, with <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art<br />
lighting and sound and a 477-seat <strong>the</strong>ater that<br />
accommodates not only movies, but also<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> a stage for live<br />
performing arts productions and concerts. A<br />
mezzanine level was also added to <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ater<br />
space to provide a versatile event and cabaretstyle<br />
venue.<br />
Interior design pay homage to some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
original design elements, including decorative<br />
seat ends similar to <strong>the</strong> original 1937 <strong>the</strong>ater<br />
seats. Whe<strong>the</strong>r showing vintage films, featuring<br />
civic youth orchestra, or showcasing <strong>the</strong><br />
developing talents <strong>of</strong> young <strong>the</strong>ater performers,<br />
this <strong>the</strong>ater is once again <strong>the</strong> cultural heartbeat<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Additionally, The Grand features 20,000<br />
square feet <strong>of</strong> public ga<strong>the</strong>ring and event<br />
spaces, including <strong>the</strong> only ro<strong>of</strong>top patio venue<br />
<strong>of</strong> any kind on Grand Avenue and Manzanita<br />
Roasting Company, a nationally recognized craft<br />
c<strong>of</strong>fee café, owned and operated by Samantha<br />
and Weston Nawrocki. These beautiful spaces<br />
bring people from all over <strong>the</strong> region toge<strong>the</strong>r to<br />
connect and celebrate. Part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grand design<br />
was to provide classy, high-end ga<strong>the</strong>ring spaces<br />
that help build <strong>Escondido</strong>’s reputation as an<br />
event and recreation destination.<br />
Finally, The Grand remains <strong>the</strong> home and<br />
primary worship space for New Vintage<br />
Church. While it will never resemble what<br />
most people think <strong>of</strong> as a traditional church<br />
building, Pastor Spivey believes this facility to<br />
be <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> endeavor that churches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
future will need to grow and thrive. “We<br />
believe that <strong>the</strong> gospel <strong>of</strong> Jesus restores,” states<br />
Pastor Spivey, “not only individual lives, but<br />
communities and cities. The idea that <strong>the</strong><br />
gospel can restore life, beauty, art, culture,<br />
education, and community back into this<br />
prominent and visible historical corner is part<br />
<strong>of</strong> what we believe God is calling us to do. This<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Grand Avenue, both its location at<br />
<strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> our city marketplace and its<br />
cultural significance as a historic <strong>the</strong>ater, is an<br />
ideal location for our church to make a<br />
positive impact.”<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 5 1
BOYS & GIRLS<br />
CLUBS OF<br />
GREATER<br />
SAN DIEGO<br />
G<br />
Above: Historical and current photos <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Conrad Prebys Branch Clubhouse.<br />
Below: Pool builder Bruce Dunn<br />
makes a splash with Club kids<br />
during <strong>the</strong> Baker Branch pool<br />
opening ceremony.<br />
In 1954, <strong>Escondido</strong> resident Lefty Mitchell,<br />
sought to provide a place where boys could<br />
ga<strong>the</strong>r for constructive activities after school. As<br />
chief <strong>of</strong> police, Mitchell saw a need for youth<br />
guidance and started <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Boys Club<br />
with <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> several business and<br />
community leaders.<br />
The Boys Club quickly became a second<br />
home that instilled morals, gave members a<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> responsibility and hope for a better<br />
future. Six years after seeing <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> The<br />
Boys Club, Soroptimist International opened <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Girls Club to serve girls in <strong>the</strong> area.<br />
Through <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> twenty-seven years,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Boys Club added a gymnasium, a child<br />
development program, and a teen center. Due to<br />
changing demographics, which resulted in<br />
families with both parents working, <strong>the</strong> two<br />
organizations combined in 1981 to create <strong>the</strong><br />
first merged Boys Club & Girls Club in San<br />
Diego County. In 1989, <strong>the</strong> organization opened<br />
a second clubhouse in <strong>Escondido</strong>—<strong>the</strong> Neville<br />
& Helen Baker Family Branch. The club<br />
currently operates multiple school and public<br />
housing based sites in <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
Today, <strong>the</strong> Conrad Prebys <strong>Escondido</strong> Branch<br />
is part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Boys & Girls Clubs <strong>of</strong> Greater San<br />
Diego. The organization’s largest clubhouse, it<br />
serves over 1,200 youth annually, with its two<br />
gymnasiums, ball field, computer lab, dance<br />
studio, and arts room. The branch <strong>of</strong>fers youth<br />
<strong>the</strong> opportunity to explore sports, technology<br />
and <strong>the</strong> arts. Through after school programs and<br />
day camps, <strong>the</strong> club promotes <strong>the</strong> social,<br />
emotional, mental, and physical development <strong>of</strong><br />
school age boys and girls. The Club also<br />
provides licensed child care for children, ages<br />
six weeks through six years.<br />
1 5 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
In its 65 years <strong>of</strong> service, <strong>the</strong> Boys & Girls<br />
Clubs <strong>of</strong> Greater San Diego have impacted<br />
over 100,000 children and has mentored<br />
influential community members such as renowned<br />
wildlife artist Joe Garcia, NFL quarterback<br />
Sean Salisbury, television actor Randy Vasquez,<br />
PGA golfer Mark Wiebe, and State Senator<br />
Mark Wyland.<br />
G<br />
The Albert & Wilma Wilson Ball Field<br />
opened in 2016.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 5 3
CITRACADO<br />
DENTAL<br />
WILLIAM R.<br />
JUNGMAN, DDS<br />
JULIE E.<br />
KANGAS, DDS<br />
ROBERT W.<br />
JUNGMAN, DDS, FAGD<br />
G<br />
NICOLAUS R.<br />
JUNGMAN, DDS<br />
AND<br />
ASSOCIATES<br />
Above: Dr William Randy Jungman<br />
and Dr Julie Kangas in <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1980s.<br />
Below: Dr Robert D. Jungman and<br />
son Dr William Randy Jungman with<br />
<strong>the</strong> senior Dr.’s first dental <strong>of</strong>fice door<br />
from Iowa, celebrating <strong>the</strong> completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir current, Citracado Dental<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice, 1996.<br />
Opposite page, top and middle: The<br />
Citracado legacy continues with two<br />
<strong>of</strong> Dr Jungman and Dr Kangas’ sons<br />
now a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dental<br />
practice. Shown in this 2019 photo<br />
are (from left to right) Dr. Robert<br />
Jungman, Dr. Julie Kangas, Dr. Wm.<br />
Randy Jungman, and Dr. Nicolaus<br />
Jungman.<br />
Opposite page, bottom: (From left to<br />
right) Eagle Scout Nick Jungman,<br />
Eagle Scout Brian Jungman, proud<br />
mom Dr. Julie Kangas, happy dad Dr.<br />
Randy Jungman, Eagle Scout David<br />
Jungman, and Eagle Scout Dr. Robert<br />
Jungman, 2013.<br />
There is no greater example <strong>of</strong> a legacy<br />
family dental practice in San Diego County<br />
than <strong>Escondido</strong>’s Citracado Dental Group.<br />
Founded by second generation dentist, Dr.<br />
William Randy Jungman in 1980, he followed<br />
his fa<strong>the</strong>r and bro<strong>the</strong>r into dentistry. Dr. Randy<br />
met <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> his life, Dr. Julie E. Kangas, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y married upon her 1981 graduation, also<br />
from USC.<br />
The dental legacy began with Dr. Robert D.<br />
Jungman (University <strong>of</strong> Iowa-1947). Practicing<br />
a few years in West Des Moines, he was called to<br />
Korean War duty as a U.S. Navy dentist.<br />
Stationed in San Diego, which he loved,<br />
discovering that “winters are optional” here. Dr.<br />
Randy Jungman spent time in his fa<strong>the</strong>r’s <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
and saw that this pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>of</strong>fered him a<br />
perfect mix <strong>of</strong> serving in healthcare, getting to<br />
know people on a personal level, and using his<br />
loves for art and science. Dr. Jungman’s older<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r, Dr. Greg Jungman, moved to Colorado<br />
in 1976.<br />
Dr. Randy Jungman opened his first <strong>of</strong>fice in<br />
a tiny building on Broadway. After working<br />
opposite days with his wife and dental partner,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y moved to <strong>the</strong> Del Norte Plaza in 1985. By<br />
<strong>the</strong> early 1990’s it was apparent that <strong>the</strong><br />
personalized dental care provided by Dr.<br />
Jungman & Dr. Kangas was successful beyond<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir imagination. They were fortunate to be<br />
able to build a larger and more modern <strong>of</strong>fice. In<br />
1996 <strong>the</strong>y moved into <strong>the</strong>ir third and final<br />
location for Citracado Dental, on El Norte<br />
Parkway. This mission style building was<br />
designed by a college friend, architect Art Sturz<br />
<strong>of</strong> Santa Barbara. Designed from <strong>the</strong> inside out,<br />
it accommodates all <strong>the</strong> modern and<br />
technological advances that are needed today, in<br />
a very timeless and comfortable <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
Doctors Jungman and Kangas have been<br />
continually busy seeing patients, and growing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir dental practice. They have always had a<br />
personal commitment that dental care be<br />
available to as many in our community as<br />
possible. This has included extended hours and<br />
Saturdays. In addition to <strong>the</strong> Jungman and<br />
Kangas family, Citracado has had o<strong>the</strong>r long<br />
term associates to provide <strong>the</strong>ir same level <strong>of</strong><br />
care. They maintain a team <strong>of</strong> skilled dental<br />
hygienists, and are committed to <strong>the</strong>ir patient’s<br />
preventive health. Additionally, <strong>the</strong>y provide <strong>the</strong><br />
specialty services <strong>of</strong> a periodontist and an<br />
endodontist to provide complete family<br />
dentistry in <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>fice. They value <strong>the</strong>ir long<br />
term staff, and know patients love seeing <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
familiar faces when <strong>the</strong>y come in. Citracado<br />
Dental has over 150 Five Star Google reviews<br />
from <strong>the</strong>ir wonderful and thoughtful patients.<br />
1 5 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Citracado Dental has continued to stay at <strong>the</strong><br />
forefront <strong>of</strong> dentistry. They <strong>of</strong>fer “same day”<br />
crowns, 3-D x-ray technology, as well as<br />
Invisalign orthodontics and dental implants in<br />
our <strong>of</strong>fice. Among <strong>the</strong>ir newest pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
services <strong>of</strong>fered are dental sleep apnea appliances<br />
and saliva DNA testing for advanced periodontal<br />
care and total health dentistry. Their love for<br />
dentistry was passed on to <strong>the</strong>ir children, as two<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four sons followed <strong>the</strong>m into dentistry. Dr.<br />
Robert W. Jungman (named after his grandfa<strong>the</strong>r)<br />
graduated from <strong>the</strong> UCLA School <strong>of</strong> Dentistry in<br />
2012, and after a residency at UCLA, he joined<br />
<strong>the</strong> practice. He is now a partner and <strong>the</strong> clinical<br />
director. Dr. Nick Jungman graduated from USC’s<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Dentistry in 2018, like his parents, and<br />
after completing his residency in Santa Barbara,<br />
he joined <strong>the</strong> practice as well.<br />
They have also been very involved with <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> community from <strong>the</strong> beginning. Dr.<br />
Jungman has become and remained very<br />
involved with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Jaycees, The Boys<br />
& Girls Clubs and <strong>the</strong> Boys Scouts <strong>of</strong> America.<br />
Dr. Kangas is active in <strong>the</strong> American Business<br />
Woman’s Association and is a Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
Commerce Ambassador. They are proud parents<br />
<strong>of</strong> four Eagle Scouts.<br />
The doctors and team <strong>of</strong> Citracado Dental are<br />
committed to providing <strong>the</strong> highest level <strong>of</strong> care<br />
in a comfortable and affordable manner. From<br />
our family to yours-we promise to always treat<br />
you like family!<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 5 5
FRIENDS OF THE<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
LIBRARY<br />
G<br />
Above: Jean Farke (left) and Marjorie<br />
Vaile, members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Steering<br />
Committee for <strong>the</strong> Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Library in 1970.<br />
The Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Library<br />
2018-2019 Board <strong>of</strong> Directors. Seated<br />
(from left to right): Patricia Crosby,<br />
library director; Mary Roy, secretary;<br />
Jim Tisdale, vice president; Elmer<br />
Cameron, president; and Cookie<br />
Allen, library volunteer coordinator.<br />
Standing (from left to right): Directors<br />
Linda Faulkner, Marlene Hoover,<br />
Georgia Chonko, Marge Kelley, Linda<br />
Parker, and Judy Tisdale; and Linda<br />
Atkinson, shop coordinator. Not<br />
shown: Christel Lu<strong>the</strong>r, treasurer.<br />
Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Library began with<br />
a seven-member steering committee <strong>of</strong> local<br />
citizens who agreed to handle details <strong>of</strong><br />
organizing this group. Dorothy Flessa chaired<br />
<strong>the</strong> committee and <strong>the</strong> charter meeting <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Friends was held June 7, 1970, at which<br />
time forty-four charter members adopted<br />
<strong>the</strong> organization’s constitution and bylaws.<br />
Richard Kornhauser served as president for<br />
<strong>the</strong> initial 1970-71 term. Graham Humphrey<br />
was librarian.<br />
At that time, <strong>the</strong> 6,000-square-foot library,<br />
built in 1956, was located at Kalmia and<br />
Third Avenue. It is now <strong>the</strong> library’s Pioneer<br />
Room which houses its collection <strong>of</strong> local<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> history and genealogy research<br />
materials. The current two-story, 40,000-<br />
square-foot library on <strong>the</strong> same block was<br />
built in 1980 and underwent a major renovation<br />
in 2010.<br />
The Friends held <strong>the</strong>ir first <strong>of</strong> many book<br />
fairs and sales October 28, 1972, earning about<br />
$450. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> items for sale were discards<br />
and duplicate books weeded from <strong>the</strong> Library’s<br />
existing collection. In April 1973, Friends<br />
volunteers began manning a small area within<br />
<strong>the</strong> old Library on <strong>the</strong> first Friday <strong>of</strong> each month<br />
to sell books and records. That little area grew<br />
into a small shop.<br />
Now, approaching 50 years from <strong>the</strong> Friends<br />
founding, a current 11-member Board <strong>of</strong><br />
Directors administers <strong>the</strong> Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Library<br />
and membership averages about 300 people,<br />
with some 50 volunteers helping to operate <strong>the</strong><br />
shop. The Friends Book Shop occupies a<br />
prominent space inside <strong>the</strong> library and is open<br />
forty hours a week.<br />
The shop is stocked with books, magazines,<br />
CDs, DVDs, and more, all donated from<br />
residents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community. Books are priced<br />
very reasonably all <strong>the</strong> time, and half-price sales<br />
are held in <strong>the</strong> shop almost every month.<br />
Proceeds from <strong>the</strong> shop consistently average<br />
about $75,000 a year which allows <strong>the</strong> Friends<br />
1 5 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
to provide college scholarships to dedicated<br />
staff employees, and to sponsor a host <strong>of</strong><br />
library programs that serve all ages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
community. We support a very active and<br />
progressive library and just some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
programs are listed below.<br />
Every year, <strong>the</strong> Summer Reading Challenge<br />
enrolls hundreds <strong>of</strong> patrons in all age groups.<br />
Youth Services Division presents BabyLapsit for<br />
newborns to toddlers to enjoy great books, fun<br />
songs and rhymes; The Toddler Tales program<br />
shares bilingual stories and songs; Inclusive Art<br />
Club where children <strong>of</strong> all ages and abilities<br />
enjoy stories and create art from favorite<br />
pictures books; Rhymes and Reading Storytime<br />
aimed at preparing preschoolers to enter<br />
kindergarten; Knights Realm Chess Club for<br />
ages 6-12; Paws for Reading for children to read<br />
aloud to Certified Pet Therapy Dogs and<br />
improve <strong>the</strong>ir reading skills; an occasional PJ<br />
Storytime where kids come to <strong>the</strong> library in <strong>the</strong><br />
evening in <strong>the</strong>ir pajamas and bring <strong>the</strong>ir favorite<br />
stuffed animal to listen to some great stories,<br />
and a Sci-Fun Science Club <strong>of</strong>fering cool science<br />
experiments for kids, taught by a retired<br />
scientist. A big hit is <strong>the</strong> annual John Abrams’<br />
Animal Magic program.<br />
Teen programs include a Burritos & Books<br />
reading club; TeenTasticFunTime arts & crafts;<br />
Safe Space <strong>Escondido</strong> for ages 12-17 in a safe<br />
and friendly space to be yourself, meet new<br />
people, and participate in craft activities; Virtual<br />
Reality at <strong>the</strong> library for teens and adults to<br />
interact with unusual creatures and explore<br />
familiar and o<strong>the</strong>rworldly landscapes.<br />
Adult programs include a very popular Winter<br />
Concert Series <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional musicians;<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Writers Group; Rincon Literario<br />
Bilingual Book Club; Second Tuesday Book Club;<br />
two Adult Graphic Novel Clubs; Book Club in a<br />
Bag program; and a variety <strong>of</strong> occasional events<br />
like (Halloween) Boos & Booze to learn about<br />
brewing craft beers, and a Succulent Swap for<br />
gardeners and gardeners-to-be.<br />
G<br />
Above: The Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Library<br />
Book Shop.<br />
Below: Attendees line up in <strong>the</strong><br />
Children’s Library area in anticipation<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Animal Magic program.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 5 7
NORTH COUNTY<br />
CEMETERY<br />
DISTRICT<br />
The North County Cemetery District—a<br />
consolidation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Cemetery<br />
District and <strong>the</strong> San Marcos Cemetery District—<br />
was formed in 1984. This combined <strong>the</strong><br />
resources <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two districts to provide a higher<br />
level <strong>of</strong> service and to standardize <strong>the</strong> policy and<br />
prices for residents and taxpayers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> district.<br />
The roots <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> North County Cemetery<br />
District can be traced all <strong>the</strong> way back to <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1800s. In fact, <strong>the</strong> first recorded burial in<br />
<strong>the</strong> area occurred in 1878. With <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong><br />
Charles Thomas (part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family which<br />
established <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town<br />
Company) eleven years later, <strong>the</strong> Oak Hill<br />
Cemetery was <strong>of</strong>ficially established. The<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Land & Town Company deeded<br />
thirty-four acres <strong>of</strong> land along <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>ast<br />
border <strong>of</strong> Rincon Del Diablo for use as a<br />
burial ground.<br />
“Back <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> location was quite a distance<br />
from town,” said Dennis Shepard, general<br />
manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> District Office. “Of course, <strong>the</strong><br />
town has grown quite a bit since <strong>the</strong>n. Our site<br />
has grown from 34 acres to 150 acres.”<br />
The Oak Hill Cemetery Association, a<br />
voluntary group, was formed in October <strong>of</strong> 1889<br />
to administer <strong>the</strong> cemetery. Many local<br />
volunteers assisted. Albert Bandy constructed a<br />
decorative archway for <strong>the</strong> entry gate which<br />
remains to this day.<br />
Oak Hill Memorial Park is a public owned<br />
cemetery, paid for by a specific population<br />
through <strong>the</strong>ir taxes. The North County<br />
Cemetery District administers <strong>the</strong> cemetery and<br />
is governed by a five-member Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees.<br />
The district consists <strong>of</strong> two cemeteries—Oak<br />
Hill Memorial Park on Glen Ridge Road in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and San Marcos Cemetery on<br />
Mulberry Drive in San Marcos.<br />
1 5 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
“We provide a history <strong>of</strong> service to <strong>the</strong><br />
community,” said Shepard, who has served with<br />
<strong>the</strong> district in two different capacities since<br />
1991. “The individuals involved with <strong>the</strong><br />
district are members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community who<br />
have helped <strong>the</strong> community grow.”<br />
One constant remains. Community residents<br />
value <strong>the</strong>ir cultural and family histories.<br />
“During services or watching people visiting<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir families here, you can’t help notice <strong>the</strong><br />
tremendous pride <strong>the</strong>y have in family heritage,”<br />
said Shepard.<br />
Serving its community and providing<br />
outreach within <strong>the</strong> community is very important<br />
to <strong>the</strong> North County Cemetery District.<br />
“We do our best to positively impact our<br />
community,” said Shepard. “We partner with <strong>the</strong><br />
Allied Veterans Council <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for a<br />
Memorial Day service. We also partner with<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r organizations, such as <strong>the</strong> Audubon<br />
Society, whose members stop by on a regular<br />
basis. Our location is ideal for birdwatching.<br />
Then, <strong>the</strong>re are those people who like to visit<br />
<strong>the</strong> grounds to take walks every day.”<br />
Each Memorial Day at Oak Hill, a special<br />
service is held to honor American war dead. The<br />
service features an avenue <strong>of</strong> flags, ritual <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
flowers and a roll call <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current year’s<br />
deceased veterans.<br />
That’s not <strong>the</strong> only special event to be held at<br />
<strong>the</strong> cemetery. In 2004, <strong>the</strong> cemetery introduced an<br />
event in late October called “Echoes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Past.”<br />
Organized by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center, its<br />
purpose was to brea<strong>the</strong> life into memory by<br />
selecting some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> decedents and having actors<br />
portray <strong>the</strong>m for visitors. Dressed in period<br />
clothing, <strong>the</strong> actors were coached to accurately<br />
interpret <strong>the</strong> individuals being depicted. The event<br />
attracted residents to one <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s beautiful<br />
landmarks and generated pride and interest in <strong>the</strong><br />
community’s unique history and heritage.<br />
Clearly, Oak Hill Memorial Park has done its<br />
part to positively impact <strong>the</strong> community it serves.<br />
But, it is always a work in progress. The past<br />
copings surrounding family plots, <strong>the</strong> windmill<br />
and reservoir, and some roads have been ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
removed or changed. Now, a lake and niche area<br />
is on <strong>the</strong> west side and Babyland is gently tucked<br />
on <strong>the</strong> east corner. In <strong>the</strong> future, Oak Hill will<br />
have features for a scattering garden, a committal<br />
center for ceremonies and family ga<strong>the</strong>ring.<br />
Irrespective <strong>of</strong> design, Oak Hill Memorial Park<br />
will continue to represent <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 5 9
ROTARY CLUB<br />
OF ESCONDIDO<br />
G<br />
The members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1959.<br />
Rotary is an organization <strong>of</strong> business and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional men and women united worldwide<br />
who provide humanitarian service, encourage<br />
high ethical standards in all vocations and help<br />
build goodwill and peace in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
The first organizational meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary<br />
club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was held at <strong>the</strong> Lake Hodges<br />
Restaurant in March <strong>of</strong> 1924. Club 33 <strong>of</strong> San<br />
Diego sponsored <strong>the</strong> chartering <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Club on October 20, 1924. The charter<br />
membership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> club consisted <strong>of</strong> 25<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> business and pr<strong>of</strong>essional leaders<br />
including bankers, farmers, businessmen, a<br />
newspaper editor, a doctor, dentist, lawyer,<br />
pharmacist, and school superintendent. In<br />
November <strong>of</strong> 1924 <strong>the</strong> club held its first meeting<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Vale View Restaurant just east <strong>of</strong> 9th<br />
Avenue. Today, no less than 10 North San Diego<br />
County Rotary Clubs claim <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> as <strong>the</strong>ir sponsor.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club’s chartering in<br />
1924 <strong>Escondido</strong>’s population <strong>of</strong> 3,000 inhabitants<br />
enjoyed a prosperous city whose major<br />
crops were grapes and a growing citrus industry.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> had incorporated October 8, 1888,<br />
and annually celebrated a Grape Day Festival<br />
every September 9th, California Statehood Day.<br />
The event drew thousands <strong>of</strong> people from<br />
around <strong>the</strong> area, some arriving by train from<br />
Oceanside. The only parade with more entries<br />
in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California was <strong>the</strong> famous Rose<br />
Parade in Pasadena.<br />
The Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> and its members,<br />
as do all Rotary Clubs, believe that <strong>the</strong><br />
objective <strong>of</strong> Rotary is to “encourage and foster<br />
<strong>the</strong> ideal <strong>of</strong> service as a basis <strong>of</strong> worthy enterprise.”<br />
There are four areas by which this “ideal<br />
<strong>of</strong> service” is fostered: through <strong>the</strong> development<br />
<strong>of</strong> acquaintance as <strong>the</strong> opportunity for service;<br />
<strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> high ethical standards in business<br />
and pr<strong>of</strong>essions; through service in one’s<br />
personal, business and community life; and <strong>the</strong><br />
advancement <strong>of</strong> international understanding,<br />
goodwill and peace.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years since <strong>the</strong> Chartering in 1924,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has built and<br />
maintained strong Community and<br />
International ties. Throughout <strong>the</strong> years<br />
Community Service Grants through <strong>the</strong> Club’s<br />
501(c)(3) <strong>Escondido</strong> Rotary Foundation have<br />
contributed millions <strong>of</strong> dollars to several<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> non-pr<strong>of</strong>its and charitable organizations<br />
including scholarships given to deserving<br />
seniors from area high schools. Local elementary,<br />
middle school and high school aged students<br />
have been annually honored for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
scholarship and Service-Above-Self.<br />
Since 1998 <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has<br />
been recognized as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest contributors<br />
in all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> District 5340 to <strong>the</strong> Rotary<br />
1 6 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
International’s Polio Plus Program. Also on <strong>the</strong><br />
international Rotary scene <strong>the</strong> Club has contributed<br />
time, medical supplies and money to<br />
areas in <strong>the</strong> world consumed by local disasters<br />
and need including building houses in Ecuador<br />
and Thailand. Through participation in<br />
International Grants <strong>the</strong> club has provided<br />
funds for Education and Literacy in Liberia,<br />
Monrovia East Africa and Ghana, Africa.<br />
Support has been given to disease prevention<br />
and treatment in Uganda, Africa, clean water<br />
projects in Ecuador and through <strong>the</strong> 1,000<br />
Smiles Dental Project in Ensenada, Mexico.<br />
For <strong>the</strong> past several years The Rotary Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has supported <strong>the</strong> San Pasqual<br />
Academy through many activities such as issuing<br />
school supplies and clothing for <strong>the</strong> popular<br />
“Shop ‘til you Drop” day. Funds and labor were<br />
provided for a storage shed augmenting <strong>the</strong><br />
Academy’s athletic field and provided building<br />
materials and labor for a “Serenity Garden” constructed<br />
during <strong>the</strong> annual “Rotarian’s at<br />
Work Day.” Holiday gifts from <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Rotarians are made available to all Academy students<br />
at Christmas.<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>? The membership aspires to be a<br />
group <strong>of</strong> irreverent jokesters, full <strong>of</strong> fun with <strong>the</strong><br />
desire to sing and sing loudly, on or <strong>of</strong>f key. The<br />
Club consists <strong>of</strong> local leaders who want to give<br />
back to <strong>the</strong> community supporting local nonpr<strong>of</strong>its,<br />
our youth and charities. The Rotary<br />
Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> will continue to look for<br />
avenues to grow, personally, and to help o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> nation and <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
We are proud to be Rotarians.<br />
G<br />
Above: The Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
present day.<br />
Below: Past presidents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary<br />
Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 6 1
G<br />
ESCONDIDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT<br />
Above: The original <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
High School.<br />
Below: Del Lago Academy–Campus <strong>of</strong><br />
Applied Science.<br />
What are <strong>the</strong> hallmarks <strong>of</strong> an outstanding<br />
educational system with a commitment to <strong>the</strong><br />
academic and social/emotional well-being <strong>of</strong> its<br />
students? For over 125 years, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Union High School District (EUHSD) has been<br />
committed to providing its students with <strong>the</strong><br />
necessary skills to be successful in <strong>the</strong> school to<br />
career pathway. Since <strong>the</strong> District first opened<br />
its doors in 1894, EUHSD has inspired and<br />
guided students to reach <strong>the</strong>ir personal goals.<br />
Beginning with <strong>Escondido</strong> High School in<br />
1894 and now on every campus including<br />
Orange Glen (1963), <strong>Escondido</strong> Adult School<br />
(1968), San Pasqual (1972), <strong>Valley</strong> (1971), and<br />
Del Lago Academy–Campus <strong>of</strong> Applied Science<br />
(2013), you will find a unique learning<br />
environment in which students are thriving. With<br />
nationally recognized Advanced Placement,<br />
Career Technical Education, Independent Study,<br />
after school enrichment, career exploration,<br />
STEM and more, opportunities to explore and<br />
grow are abundant. Today, over 180 courses are<br />
available and rigorous graduation requirements<br />
help to ensure <strong>the</strong> more than 7400 diverse<br />
students are well prepared for <strong>the</strong> competitive<br />
and global world <strong>of</strong> tomorrow. Graduates<br />
showcase <strong>the</strong>ir readiness for <strong>the</strong>ir future by<br />
earning acceptance into some <strong>of</strong> our nation’s<br />
most prestigious colleges, universities, and trade<br />
schools. O<strong>the</strong>rs admirably commit to <strong>the</strong> military<br />
or choose to pursue a variety <strong>of</strong> career pathways.<br />
Many remain in, or return to, <strong>Escondido</strong> sharing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir expertise, running <strong>the</strong>ir businesses, or<br />
raising <strong>the</strong>ir families.<br />
The District embraces <strong>the</strong> responsibility <strong>of</strong><br />
public education for every child. EUHSD<br />
teachers, staff and administrators work alongside<br />
parents and community members to inspire and<br />
reassure students as <strong>the</strong>y develop into<br />
responsible, productive and engaged citizens.<br />
We are fortunate to be able to <strong>of</strong>fer personalized<br />
assistance to students through support services<br />
such as special education, counseling and<br />
tutoring programs. Students also learn <strong>the</strong> value<br />
<strong>of</strong> making wise informed choices to positively<br />
impact <strong>the</strong>ir future physical/emotional health.<br />
Each EUHSD campus is committed to<br />
building critical thinking and problem solving<br />
skills so that when students graduate, <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
ready for college, ready for work–ready for life.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> Union High School District<br />
remains dedicated to educating future<br />
generations as <strong>the</strong>y develop <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge<br />
and skills for success.<br />
1 6 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
ASSISTANCE<br />
LEAGUE ® OF<br />
INLAND NORTH<br />
COUNTY<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is home to Assistance League ® <strong>of</strong><br />
Inland North County, an all-volunteer nonpr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organization helping to transform <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong><br />
children and adults through community programs.<br />
In 1982, a group <strong>of</strong> eighty women<br />
established a chapter <strong>of</strong> National Assistance<br />
League ® . To fund <strong>the</strong> programs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chapter, a<br />
thrift shop called The Bargain Box was opened<br />
in a rented building on <strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard<br />
with a cigar box as a cash register.<br />
After several years, a capital campaign to<br />
purchase a building was established. This<br />
campaign along with $50,000 in winnings from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Paul Newman recipe contest won by<br />
member, Janet Su<strong>the</strong>rland, and $10,000<br />
donated by Major Market, enabled <strong>the</strong> chapter<br />
to purchase <strong>the</strong> AAA property on East <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Parkway. With <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chapter and its<br />
programs, a larger building rapidly became<br />
necessary. In 2005, a two-story facility was<br />
constructed at <strong>the</strong> East <strong>Valley</strong> location thanks to<br />
a second capital campaign and a generous<br />
donation from Matt and Jean McLaughlin.<br />
The chapter has grown to over 150 members<br />
and nine community service programs that assist<br />
children, homeless adults and seniors in need.<br />
Operation School Bell ® helps build self-confidence<br />
and improve school attendance by providing new<br />
clo<strong>the</strong>s and shoes to over 2,000 students in grades<br />
K-12 each year. The Scholarship Program awards<br />
over $100,000 to high school seniors and college<br />
nursing, paramedic, trade and industry students.<br />
Students graduating from San Pasqual Academy, a<br />
residential school for foster teens, are helped toward<br />
an independent life through Operation Duffel Bags.<br />
The donated duffel bags are filled with items<br />
graduates need to begin life on <strong>the</strong>ir own. Recently,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union High School District foster and<br />
homeless graduates were added to <strong>the</strong> program.<br />
The chapter continues to fund its programs<br />
through its Thrift and Consignment Shop located at<br />
2068 E. <strong>Valley</strong> Parkway. The shop <strong>of</strong>fers quality<br />
items in a clean and friendly environment. It accepts<br />
donations <strong>of</strong> gently used items during business<br />
hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through<br />
Saturday. Please call (760) 746-7532 or visit<br />
www.assistanceleague.org/inland-north-county.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 6 3
INTERFAITH<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
SERVICES<br />
G<br />
Above: Betty and Melvin Cohn.<br />
Below: Hawthorne Veteran and<br />
Family Resource Center.<br />
On May 20, 1979, volunteers from fourteen<br />
different faith communities in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
and surrounding inland area met to respond to<br />
<strong>the</strong> growing crisis <strong>of</strong> poverty and homelessness<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir communities. Each congregation agreed<br />
to take ownership <strong>of</strong> one month by voluntarily<br />
distributing emergency food, clothing and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
basics resources. In 1980, Mary Dunn became<br />
first board president.<br />
Working alongside o<strong>the</strong>r local organizations<br />
and people from all walks <strong>of</strong> life, Interfaith<br />
Community Services became a secular 501c (3)<br />
not-for- pr<strong>of</strong>it organization in 1982. Although<br />
Interfaith had primarily been a volunteer-led<br />
organization up to this point, Suzanne Pohlman<br />
became its first employee that same year.<br />
Celebrating forty-two years <strong>of</strong> service,<br />
Interfaith has grown to become <strong>the</strong> largest social<br />
service organization in North San Diego County.<br />
With over 220 employees and thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
volunteers, Interfaith <strong>of</strong>fers its multi-faceted<br />
programs at numerous locations. Services include<br />
food and basic needs assistance, employment<br />
help, tax and legal services, mental health and<br />
substance use services, and housing. Last year,<br />
Interfaith served 20,717 unique people, including<br />
5,328 children, 798 veterans, and 1,477 men,<br />
women and children housed. Interfaith’s model <strong>of</strong><br />
Helping People Help Themselves ensures <strong>the</strong><br />
commitment <strong>of</strong> each person served to be part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> positive change in <strong>the</strong>ir own life.<br />
Currently led by CEO, Greg Anglea<br />
and Board Chair, Reverend Meg Decker,<br />
Interfaith pays honor to its historical donor and<br />
volunteer leaders:<br />
• Betty and Melvin Cohn Center, Interfaith<br />
headquarters<br />
• Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center,<br />
in honor <strong>of</strong> Dorothy and Tom Hawthorne and<br />
home to <strong>the</strong> Recuperative Care Program,<br />
• Raymond’s Refuge, in honor <strong>of</strong> Caroline and<br />
Jack Raymond<br />
• <strong>Escondido</strong> Community Sobering Services, a<br />
program <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Joan and Lee James Recovery<br />
and Wellness Center.<br />
For five years, Interfaith has achieved a fourstar<br />
rating from Charity Navigator. Only twelve<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> charities in <strong>the</strong> U.S. have attained this<br />
prestigious rating.<br />
1 6 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Palomar Mountain’s historic artesian well. Daphne Fletcher photograph.<br />
Q u a l i t y o f L i f e F 1 6 5
1 6 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y<br />
The historic Ferrara Winery. Forgotten Barrel,<br />
LLC, photograph.
The Marketplace<br />
E s c o n d i d o ’ s r e s t a u r a n t s , b a n k s , a n d<br />
r e t a i l a n d c o m m e r c i a l e s t a b l i s h m e n t s<br />
o f f e r a n i m p r e s s i v e v a r i e t y o f c h o i c e s<br />
The Ken Blanchard Companies ® .......................................................1 6 8<br />
Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> .......................................................................1 7 0<br />
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary ................................................................1 7 2<br />
El Plantio Nursery ........................................................................1 7 4<br />
Arie de Jong and Hollandia Dairy ....................................................1 7 6<br />
Palomar Mountain Spring Water ......................................................1 7 8<br />
Rancho Guejito .............................................................................1 8 0<br />
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto ....................................................................1 8 2<br />
Henry Avocado Corporation ............................................................1 8 3<br />
Esperanza’s Tortilleria ...................................................................1 8 4<br />
Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram...............................................1 8 5<br />
West <strong>Escondido</strong> Automotive & Transmission .......................................1 8 6<br />
OneWest Bank ..............................................................................1 8 7<br />
Volvo Specialist <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ..........................................................1 8 8<br />
Sunny Side Kitchen .......................................................................1 8 9<br />
Visit <strong>Escondido</strong> .............................................................................1 9 0<br />
Downtown Business Association .......................................................1 9 1<br />
Ledge Media dba HPNbooks ............................................................1 9 2<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 6 7
G<br />
Above: Spencer Johnson (left) and Ken<br />
Blanchard (right), co-authors <strong>of</strong> The<br />
One Minute Manager ® , in 1982.<br />
Below: Ken and Margie Blanchard at<br />
a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1985.<br />
THE KEN BLANCHARD COMPANIES ®<br />
Ken Blanchard is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most influential<br />
leadership experts in <strong>the</strong> world. He is co-author<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> iconic bestseller The One Minute<br />
Manager ® , with Spencer Johnson, and more than<br />
65 o<strong>the</strong>r books that have combined sales <strong>of</strong> 22<br />
million copies in 47 languages.<br />
The roots <strong>of</strong> The Ken Blanchard Companies ®<br />
began in 1976 when Ken, his wife, Margie, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir children, Scott and Debbie, traveled to San<br />
Diego during a sabbatical from his tenured<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essorship at University <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts. After<br />
his speeches wowed attendees at a Young<br />
Presidents’ Organization (YPO) event, YPO leaders<br />
urged Ken to start his own consulting firm.<br />
With this encouragement from YPO, Ken and<br />
Margie decided to stay in San Diego. After a year<br />
<strong>of</strong> running successful seminars, <strong>the</strong>y invited six<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir UMass colleagues—Laurie Hawkins, Fred<br />
Finch, Drea Zigarmi, Pat Zigarmi, Don Carew,<br />
and Eunice Parisi-Carew—to join <strong>the</strong>m as<br />
founding associates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir new company. They<br />
incorporated Blanchard ® in 1979 and had three<br />
goals: to make a difference in people’s lives; to<br />
drive human worth and effectiveness in <strong>the</strong><br />
workplace; and to help each organization <strong>the</strong>y<br />
work with become <strong>the</strong> provider, employer, and<br />
investment <strong>of</strong> choice. Today, Blanchard is one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> largest family-owned businesses in San Diego.<br />
Ken, Margie, Scott, Debbie, and Tom McKee<br />
(Margie’s bro<strong>the</strong>r) own and operate <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
In <strong>the</strong>ir quarterly Family Council meetings, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r support each o<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> multitude <strong>of</strong><br />
issues related to running <strong>the</strong> business.<br />
Blanchard <strong>of</strong>fers award-winning training<br />
programs with powerful models that are<br />
instantly applicable to <strong>the</strong> workplace. Based on<br />
decades <strong>of</strong> research and experience by renowned<br />
thought leaders, programs include such topics as<br />
1 6 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
trust, motivation, change, self leadership, and<br />
customer service as well as two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
most widely used leadership frameworks: SLII ®<br />
and The One Minute Manager ® . Program content<br />
is proven to help organizations achieve<br />
operational goals while creating a great<br />
workplace experience for employees.<br />
Year after year, Blanchard has been recognized<br />
as a top place to work in San Diego and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
top leadership training companies worldwide.<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> this acclaim can be attributed to <strong>the</strong><br />
company’s unique culture.<br />
Employees receive a daily morning message<br />
from Ken with inspiring thoughts, shared<br />
victories, and requests for support.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> industry was impacted by September<br />
11, 2001, Ken was adamant about avoiding<br />
lay<strong>of</strong>fs. Top leaders agreed to defer all raises and<br />
aggressively cut expenses. After three lean years<br />
without a lay<strong>of</strong>f, <strong>the</strong> business flourished, and <strong>the</strong><br />
entire company went to Hawaii to celebrate. Then<br />
when <strong>the</strong> 2009 recession hit, everyone assembled<br />
again to brainstorm ways to increase revenue and<br />
reduce expenses—and again Blanchard came<br />
back, stronger than ever.<br />
Blanchard has a decades-long history <strong>of</strong><br />
supporting local communities.<br />
• Blanchard for O<strong>the</strong>rs is an employee-driven<br />
program that contributes to charitable<br />
organizations and relief funds.<br />
• A percentage <strong>of</strong> company pr<strong>of</strong>its go to<br />
Blanchard’s Give Back program, in which<br />
each employee chooses a 501(c)(3)<br />
organization to receive a donation from<br />
Blanchard in <strong>the</strong>ir name.<br />
• The Blanchard Ambassador Program invites<br />
associates to spend up to forty paid hours per<br />
year in service to o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
• The Blanchard Institute provides access to<br />
training and development programs that help<br />
students <strong>of</strong> all ages develop leadership skills.<br />
• Blanchard’s Infant at Work Program<br />
encourages parents to bring <strong>the</strong>ir baby to<br />
work until <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> six months, providing<br />
peace <strong>of</strong> mind for parents, reduced stress for<br />
coworkers, and socialization for <strong>the</strong> baby.<br />
• By enhancing systems and products to conserve<br />
natural resources, Blanchard’s corporate<br />
Sustainability Team ensures that sustainability<br />
is ingrained in <strong>the</strong> company culture.<br />
Finally, servant leadership is at <strong>the</strong> root <strong>of</strong><br />
everything that Blanchard does. “On <strong>the</strong> road to<br />
success, many organizations hit a plateau and<br />
struggle in getting to <strong>the</strong> next level,” says Ken.<br />
“We believe <strong>the</strong> key to breaking through is servant<br />
leadership—a management approach where<br />
people lead best when <strong>the</strong>y serve first.”<br />
G<br />
Left: Ken and Margie Blanchard.<br />
Below: The Ken Blanchard<br />
Companies ® Family Council (from<br />
left to right): Debbie Blanchard, Scott<br />
Blanchard, Ken Blanchard, Tom<br />
McKee, and Margie Blanchard.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 6 9
TOYOTA OF<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
G<br />
Above: Nancy and Gary L Myers.<br />
Below: Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> is located<br />
at 231 Lincoln Parkway.<br />
The Myers family purchased Toyota <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in October 1978 with <strong>the</strong> dream<br />
<strong>of</strong> building a family-owned and operated Toyota<br />
dealership. Now, more than forty years later,<br />
Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> continues to serve<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> satisfied customers throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> county.<br />
With more than 300 employees and more<br />
than 1,200 new and used vehicles in its<br />
inventory, Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
largest family-owned dealerships in sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California and <strong>the</strong> second-largest car dealership<br />
in San Diego County.<br />
Located at 231 Lincoln Parkway, where<br />
Highway 78 meets Broadway, <strong>the</strong> dealership is<br />
headed up by family patriarch Gary L. Myers, a<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles State University and<br />
a former member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Air National Guard<br />
where he served with honor. The family laid<br />
<strong>the</strong> groundwork for <strong>the</strong> dealership you see<br />
here today.<br />
The early years focused on <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> sales and service departments as well as a<br />
management team to steer <strong>the</strong> ship. With <strong>the</strong><br />
addition <strong>of</strong> some key, hardworking employees,<br />
<strong>the</strong> dealership began to flourish.<br />
Meanwhile, <strong>the</strong> family was growing alongside<br />
<strong>the</strong> business. Gary pursued his passion for<br />
<strong>of</strong>froad and sailboat racing while wife Nancy<br />
Myers, a graduate <strong>of</strong> Criss Business College, was<br />
enjoying racing Flight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Snowbirds,<br />
Lehmans, and Sabots. A clear <strong>the</strong>me was<br />
emerging—this family loved <strong>the</strong> outdoors! From<br />
<strong>the</strong> deserts to <strong>the</strong> ocean, racing was in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
blood. A lifestyle that each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir children has<br />
adopted as well.<br />
Son Stephen Myers, a graduate <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California Christian College serves as CFO at<br />
Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> while spending his spare<br />
time racing with his two daughters in <strong>the</strong> deserts<br />
<strong>of</strong> California and Baja.<br />
Daughter Cindy Myers relocated to Hawaii<br />
where she is raising her two sons, following her<br />
time in <strong>the</strong> 63rd U.S. Army Reserve Command in<br />
Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Cindy has her<br />
captain’s license and private airplane license. Son<br />
Daniel Myers is a graduate <strong>of</strong> California State<br />
University Long Beach with a business degree.<br />
Dan works for Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> as <strong>the</strong> general<br />
manager. Dan has two girls and one boy and still<br />
enjoys <strong>of</strong>f-road racing regularly.<br />
Son Andrew Myers is a graduate <strong>of</strong> California<br />
State University Long Beach with a business<br />
degree. Andrew has two daughters and enjoys<br />
<strong>of</strong>f-road racing as well.<br />
1 7 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
“Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has truly become a<br />
family business and it’s been a great source <strong>of</strong><br />
pride,” said Gary Myers. “It’s been a thrill to watch<br />
my sons embrace <strong>the</strong> automotive business.”<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has<br />
continually led San Diego County in new<br />
Toyota truck sales and Toyota certified used<br />
sales. Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> has also consistently<br />
ranked in <strong>the</strong> top 10 <strong>of</strong> all 77 dealers in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Los Angeles region in total new Toyotas<br />
sold annually.<br />
With a total <strong>of</strong> 70 service stalls, including 20<br />
built to accommodate Toyota’s new and much<br />
larger full-size Tundra trucks, Toyota <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is readily equipped to handle all <strong>of</strong><br />
its customer needs. The dealership also takes<br />
pride in its wide assortment <strong>of</strong> parts and<br />
accessories for both cars and trucks.<br />
Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s Truck Center also <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most complete truck parts and<br />
accessories selections in <strong>the</strong> region, with a large<br />
inventory <strong>of</strong> custom tires, wheels, suspensions<br />
and performance exhaust systems. Its awardwinning<br />
Truck Center is an expert in installing<br />
lift kits, performance exhaust systems, custom<br />
tires, wheels and much more.<br />
Clearly, <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> is<br />
a testament to <strong>the</strong> commitment and hard work<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Myers’ family. With a team <strong>of</strong> dedicated<br />
and experienced employees, <strong>the</strong>y will certainly<br />
achieve <strong>the</strong>ir dream <strong>of</strong> continuing to grow and<br />
expand as a successful family-run business.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 7 1
ALHISER-<br />
COMER<br />
MORTUARY<br />
G<br />
Alhiser Comer Mortuary has been<br />
located at 225 South Broadway<br />
since 1897.<br />
The oldest, continually-operating familyowned<br />
business in <strong>Escondido</strong> has adopted a<br />
simple, effective and compassionate approach<br />
in dealing with its customer base.<br />
“We put <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family first,” said<br />
Megan Comer, President <strong>of</strong> Alhiser-Comer<br />
Mortuary. “We are here to walk beside <strong>the</strong>m in<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir most difficult time and to make sure that<br />
we treat <strong>the</strong>m like family. They are part <strong>of</strong> our<br />
extended family.”<br />
The mortuary has been operating in <strong>the</strong> same<br />
location at 225 South Broadway since 1897. In<br />
fact, <strong>the</strong> chapel used to be <strong>the</strong> stable where <strong>the</strong><br />
horses would transport <strong>the</strong> deceased. The old<br />
stable floor remains underneath <strong>the</strong> carpet today.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong> facility has undergone<br />
significant expansion and enhancements. The<br />
Wilson family, which took over <strong>the</strong> business in<br />
<strong>the</strong> late 1940s, renovated and doubled <strong>the</strong><br />
floorspace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mortuary. The business was<br />
known as Alhiser-Wilson Mortuary at that time.<br />
In 1989, Stuart Comer, a second-generation<br />
funeral director, purchased <strong>the</strong> mortuary and<br />
extensively refurbished and updated <strong>the</strong><br />
building. In 2000, <strong>the</strong> name was changed to<br />
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. Stuart also opened a<br />
crematory in order to meet <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong><br />
families in a changing industry.<br />
Stuart’s daughter, Megan Comer, took over <strong>the</strong><br />
business in 2013. The third generation <strong>of</strong> Comers<br />
1 7 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
in <strong>the</strong> business, Megan works alongside her sister,<br />
Nicole, who serves as a funeral director.<br />
Since <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong>y have incorporated more<br />
upgrades into <strong>the</strong> building, including <strong>the</strong> most<br />
recent addition—a new reception room to better<br />
serve families while still maintaining <strong>the</strong><br />
integrity and charm <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building.<br />
Not only has <strong>the</strong> facility changed over time,<br />
but <strong>the</strong> industry has transformed as well.<br />
“There’s definitely been a rise in cremation,”<br />
said Comer. “It’s increased steadily in recent<br />
years. In <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> California, it should be<br />
close to seventy percent cremation in <strong>the</strong> next<br />
few years. That has changed <strong>the</strong> dynamics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
business. Traditional funerals with limos,<br />
hearses, church services and viewings are<br />
becoming a tradition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past.”<br />
The reason for this transformation is<br />
two-fold—people are going greener and it is<br />
much cheaper.<br />
“There's been an increase in online<br />
cremation,” said Comer. “Families never come to<br />
<strong>the</strong> building. They just complete <strong>the</strong> paperwork<br />
online. The funeral industry tends to be a little bit<br />
behind o<strong>the</strong>r industries in <strong>the</strong> technology arena,<br />
but it's starting to catch up.”<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r dramatic shift has been in people<br />
attitudes from mourning a life to celebrating a life.<br />
“Now people want to have some drinks and a<br />
meal and celebrate a person's life ra<strong>the</strong>r than sit<br />
in black in <strong>the</strong> front row and cry,” said Comer.<br />
“There's been a shift in society to celebrating<br />
a life.”<br />
Having grown up in <strong>Escondido</strong>, Comer quickly<br />
realized <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> community involvement.<br />
“We’ve always been a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community,”<br />
she said. “We are part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
Commerce and we were named family-owned<br />
business <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year in 2017. We’ve always made<br />
it a priority to help out our community in<br />
whatever way we can—from providing birthday<br />
cakes for senior centers to volunteering in <strong>the</strong><br />
community or donating money.”<br />
One <strong>of</strong> Alhiser-Comer Mortuary’s bigger<br />
projects recently was creating <strong>the</strong> new family<br />
viewing room—comprising warm colors and a<br />
calming nature wall—at <strong>the</strong> new Palomar<br />
Medical Center.<br />
“It was very important that we built a room<br />
that was comfortable for families viewing <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
loved ones,” said Comer.<br />
Being considered part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fabric <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is very important to Alhiser-Comer<br />
Mortuary. The Comer sisters are honored to<br />
continue <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r and grandfa<strong>the</strong>r’s legacy<br />
and commitment to <strong>the</strong> community. Sadly,<br />
Stuart Comer passed away in 2018.<br />
“There are a lot <strong>of</strong> family-owned businesses<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>, but not many have been around<br />
for as long as ours has,” said Comer. “We want<br />
to do our part to help make our community a<br />
good place.”<br />
G<br />
Above: Nicole Comer, Stuart Comer,<br />
and Megan Comer with <strong>the</strong>ir Family-<br />
Owned Business <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year Award,<br />
2017.<br />
Below: The Comers with <strong>the</strong> building<br />
staff <strong>of</strong> Palomar Medical Center in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Family Viewing Room, 2016.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 7 3
EL PLANTIO<br />
NURSERY<br />
G<br />
Above: The El Plantio storefront,<br />
c. 1959.<br />
Below: The original El Plantio Nursery<br />
sign in <strong>the</strong> parking lot, c. 1960.<br />
El Plantio Nursery & Landscaping has been<br />
in existence since 1959 and has been a familyowned<br />
business for more than half a century. In<br />
1969, Nathan Snapp, who had studied forestry<br />
in college, bought <strong>the</strong> nursery and ran it for<br />
seven years.<br />
Prior to purchasing <strong>the</strong> business, Nathan<br />
worked for <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> as a personnel<br />
manager. When a new city manager came on<br />
board, Nathan and several o<strong>the</strong>r employees quit<br />
in protest. As <strong>the</strong> nursery was in line with what<br />
he had studied in college and he had always<br />
enjoyed <strong>the</strong> outdoors, Nathan decided to buy it.<br />
And, it has remained in <strong>the</strong> family ever since.<br />
Nathan's passion for plants rubbed <strong>of</strong>f on<br />
two <strong>of</strong> his sons—Bill and Warren—who began<br />
working with him full time. After a few years,<br />
Nathan felt it was time to let <strong>the</strong>m take over <strong>the</strong><br />
reins. Warren and Bill bought <strong>the</strong> business and<br />
assumed ownership on January 1, 1976.<br />
Meanwhile, Warren’s three children—Nolan,<br />
Lloyd and Melinda—are now <strong>the</strong> third<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> Snapps to be involved in <strong>the</strong><br />
business. Nolan works as landscape construction<br />
manager while Lloyd serves as operations<br />
manager and Melinda functions as landscape<br />
designer. All three hold horticulture degrees.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> early 1970s, Bill and Warren began<br />
working for <strong>the</strong>ir dad at <strong>the</strong> nursery. A couple <strong>of</strong><br />
years later while in college, Warren was<br />
summoned to work full-time in <strong>the</strong> business.<br />
“My dad discovered that his manager was<br />
stealing from him,” said Warren. “I had to quit<br />
school and start working for him full-time.”<br />
Throughout <strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong> Snapp family has<br />
handled <strong>the</strong> gardening needs <strong>of</strong> multiple<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> families which gives<br />
<strong>the</strong>m great satisfaction.<br />
“We take <strong>the</strong> time to talk to <strong>the</strong>m, find out<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir needs and educate <strong>the</strong>m in an applicable<br />
way,” said Lloyd. “A lot <strong>of</strong> people value that.<br />
1 7 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
We’re like barbers and <strong>the</strong>rapists in that our<br />
customers really open up to us. We help <strong>the</strong>m<br />
improve <strong>the</strong>ir garden spaces which in turn<br />
brings <strong>the</strong>m joy.”<br />
As Warren is quick to add: “Gardening is<br />
<strong>the</strong>rapeutic. We want to help people have a<br />
good experience by getting close to nature.”<br />
And, being in <strong>the</strong> community for so many<br />
years, El Plantio Nursery has become part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
fabric <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
“We are members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rotary Club, <strong>the</strong><br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce and we helped revitalize<br />
<strong>the</strong> river walk by designing a pocket garden<br />
along <strong>the</strong> flood control channel,” said Lloyd. “In<br />
addition, we hold a number <strong>of</strong> classes and<br />
educational seminars at <strong>the</strong> store on topics<br />
ranging from tomatoes to fruit trees to drought<br />
tolerant plants.”<br />
El Plantio has about 25 employees. What<br />
separates <strong>the</strong>m from many o<strong>the</strong>r nurseries is<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y provide a turnkey service. This<br />
includes all landscape services – maintenance,<br />
design, installation and construction. They also<br />
install irrigation, new patios, pergolas and<br />
outdoor barbecues.<br />
Bill Snapp manages <strong>the</strong> landscape maintenance<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business. In that regard, El Plantio<br />
crews are out and about every week maintaining<br />
larger residences and commercial properties,<br />
including apartment complexes, homeowner<br />
associations and museums, among o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
“We are able to install an entire yard and<br />
maintain it,” said Lloyd.<br />
Most gratifying to <strong>the</strong> Snapp family is <strong>the</strong><br />
impact <strong>the</strong> nursery has had on its community<br />
and its residents.<br />
“Every week, people come in and say <strong>the</strong>y've<br />
lived in <strong>the</strong> area for 20 years and <strong>the</strong>y’ve finally<br />
had a chance to stop in,” said Warren. “They<br />
remember coming into <strong>the</strong> nursery with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
parents and grandparents and are now just<br />
rediscovering <strong>the</strong> store. And, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs who have been coming here for decades.<br />
Now, <strong>the</strong>ir kids are all grown up and getting<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own yards in order.”<br />
The term “El Plantio” means planted area or<br />
garden place in Spanish. Without question, this<br />
fixture on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> landscape fills an<br />
important niche among true dirt-under-<strong>the</strong>fingernails<br />
plant lovers and novices, alike.<br />
G<br />
Top, left: Warren Snapp.<br />
Top, middle: An aerial photo <strong>of</strong> El<br />
Plantio, 1989.<br />
Top, right: Bill Snapp.<br />
Below: El Plantio in 2019.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 7 5
ARIE DE JONG<br />
AND<br />
HOLLANDIA<br />
DAIRY<br />
G<br />
Above: Maartje & Arie de Jong, Sr.<br />
Top, right: Arie de Jong, Jr., in front <strong>of</strong><br />
Milne Motors in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Below: Arie de Jong, Jr., making sales<br />
calls in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
For Dutch businessman and philanthropist,<br />
Arie de Jong, life in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California after<br />
his immigration from Holland has been good.<br />
Arie was born in 1939 in Alphen on <strong>the</strong><br />
Rhine, a town in <strong>the</strong> province <strong>of</strong> South Holland,<br />
between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.<br />
Like most families, <strong>the</strong> de Jongs had little<br />
money during <strong>the</strong> Depression. During World War<br />
II, <strong>the</strong> Germans occupied Holland, including <strong>the</strong><br />
dairy <strong>the</strong> de Jong family operated. The de Jongs<br />
were allowed to stay and manage <strong>the</strong> dairy, since<br />
<strong>the</strong> Germans were soldiers and not dairy farmers.<br />
In 1942, <strong>the</strong> residents <strong>of</strong> Alphen began<br />
feeling <strong>the</strong> negative effects <strong>of</strong> food shortages<br />
and rations. Arie’s fa<strong>the</strong>r, Arie Sr., decided to<br />
take action.<br />
“People were starving all around us,” recalled<br />
Arie. “We had food and we used it to barter for<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r items. I served as a courier and delivered<br />
packaged food to all <strong>the</strong> neighborhoods in<br />
<strong>the</strong> area.”<br />
Arie Sr.’s twin sister, Henrietta, had<br />
immigrated to <strong>the</strong> United States from Holland in<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1920s. His oldest son, Tom, wanted to move<br />
to <strong>the</strong> U.S and declared his intentions to his<br />
uncle, Sam Bruinsma, Henrietta’s husband. Sam<br />
owned a dairy in Artesia, California, but really<br />
wanted to be a rancher. He sold his dairy, bought<br />
a ranch in Poway, California, and sponsored<br />
Tom’s immigration to America in 1948.<br />
After Tom’s arrival, he wrote letters to his<br />
family in Holland, raving about his new home.<br />
He made a deal with his uncle—if Sam built a<br />
dairy and became a sponsor for <strong>the</strong>m, Tom’s<br />
family would provide <strong>the</strong> necessary labor to run<br />
<strong>the</strong> dairy.<br />
“We arrived in America with only $35 in our<br />
pockets,” said Arie. “We left almost everything<br />
behind, including money, in Holland.”<br />
The de Jong family settled in Poway on Sam’s<br />
cattle ranch, <strong>the</strong> Bar ‘C’ Bar, which is now<br />
Metate Lane, <strong>of</strong>f Pomerado Road, <strong>the</strong> old<br />
Highway 395.<br />
“I was ten years old when we arrived and<br />
that was <strong>the</strong> only year in which I didn’t have a<br />
job,” said Arie. “I learned English at school.”<br />
1 7 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
On a trip to <strong>Escondido</strong>, Arie Sr. and Sam<br />
passed a small, five-acre dairy with a “for<br />
sale” sign posted. In 1950, <strong>the</strong> de Jong<br />
family purchased <strong>the</strong> dairy, including a cash<br />
and carry drive-in store, with a $7,000 cash<br />
down payment.<br />
The dairy was named Hollandia Dairy, in<br />
honor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hollandia Creamery back in<br />
Holland, where <strong>the</strong> milk from <strong>the</strong>ir dairy in<br />
Alphen was taken to be processed.<br />
Eleven-year-old Arie and his older siblings<br />
helped feed and milk <strong>the</strong> cows. At sixteen, he<br />
became a delivery driver, and soon became a<br />
sales manager for <strong>the</strong> dairy.<br />
The Hollandia Dairy brand was expanding.<br />
The de Jongs began lobbying <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California school boards to deliver<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir milk products to schools throughout<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California.<br />
They started with one school in <strong>the</strong><br />
early 1960s and eventually grew to include<br />
over 1,000 schools in Riverside, San Bernardino<br />
and San Diego counties. Hollandia also<br />
expanded and became a supplier <strong>of</strong> milk and<br />
dairy products to hospitals, prisons, jails and<br />
military installations.<br />
When Arie was sixteen he delivered<br />
milk to <strong>the</strong> Green Oak Boys Ranch, a 143-acre<br />
ranch in Vista belonging to <strong>the</strong> Los Angeles<br />
Rescue Mission. It was a rehabilitation<br />
facility for <strong>the</strong> homeless and recovering addicts<br />
and alcoholics.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s, Arie heard <strong>the</strong> ranch was<br />
for sale. He became acquainted with <strong>the</strong><br />
director and purchased <strong>the</strong> ranch to keep it<br />
going as a rescue mission. He renamed it Green<br />
Oak Ranch Ministries, a faith-based, nondenominational<br />
organization.<br />
“We usually have about 40 to 80 people in<br />
residence on a regular basis,” said Arie. “Our job<br />
is to get <strong>the</strong>m <strong>of</strong>f drugs and alcohol and back<br />
into a stable position. They have to stay with <strong>the</strong><br />
program for nine months before <strong>the</strong>y graduate.”<br />
From <strong>the</strong>ir business successes to<br />
philanthropic support, <strong>the</strong> de Jong family has<br />
clearly developed deep roots in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California.<br />
G<br />
Above: Back row (from left to right):<br />
Elso, Maartje, Arie Sr., Ellie, and Piet.<br />
Front row (from left to right): Kees,<br />
Arie Jr., Mary, Jet, John, and Karel.<br />
Below: In front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cash and carry<br />
on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> 17th and Center City<br />
Parkway. Standing: Arie Sr. and,<br />
Maartje. Kneeling (from left to<br />
right): Arie Jr., Teun, Piet, Karel,<br />
and cousin Rudy.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 7 7
PALOMAR<br />
MOUNTAIN<br />
SPRING WATER<br />
G<br />
Above: Eric de Jong<br />
Below: Conrad Pawleski, Eric de Jong,<br />
and Silvia de Jong.<br />
In June 2005, North County resident Eric<br />
de Jong and his wife, Silva, purchased Palomar<br />
Mountain Spring Water and its distribution<br />
facility. It had previously been owned by<br />
Dick Einer.<br />
Eric is part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> de Jong family that has had<br />
strong ties in <strong>the</strong> community ever since his<br />
grandparents, parents, and aunts and uncles<br />
emigrated from <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands in 1949.<br />
“My fa<strong>the</strong>r, Arie, who owned a dairy business<br />
with his siblings, was instrumental in <strong>the</strong><br />
purchase,” said Eric. “He was always envious <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> water business. He liked that <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
fewer hurdles than in <strong>the</strong> milk business—no<br />
spoilage, no refrigeration, and no storage issues.<br />
Dad also knew <strong>the</strong> Einer family and said I<br />
should look into it.”<br />
Since acquiring <strong>the</strong> company, Eric has<br />
made efficiency improvements and expanded<br />
<strong>the</strong> suite <strong>of</strong> waters to include, among o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
sparkling water and flavored water. Palomar<br />
Mountain Premium Spring Water has also<br />
been made available to restaurants in<br />
returnable, refillable glass. However, he did not<br />
change <strong>the</strong> bottling process, which has<br />
continued to be <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> Palomar<br />
Mountain Spring Water. It has <strong>the</strong> only bottled<br />
water from a private spring source in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California—water from <strong>the</strong> springs to <strong>the</strong><br />
consumer in its most natural state.<br />
Today, Palomar Mountain Premium Spring<br />
Water is delivered to homes, <strong>of</strong>fices and<br />
restaurants. Its fine water is available at <strong>the</strong><br />
Palomar bottling facility and selected<br />
convenience stores. Palomar Mountain Spring<br />
Water <strong>of</strong>fers a variety <strong>of</strong> waters and dispensers<br />
to meet every residential and commercial need.<br />
The natural spring water is sourced from<br />
free-flowing springs high atop 160-million yearold<br />
Palomar Mountain in San Diego County,<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California. The springs lie away from<br />
civilization, high above smog levels,<br />
contaminants or additives.<br />
Palomar Mountain Spring Water is a onestop-shop<br />
for local spring water as it solely<br />
manages <strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> bulk hauling, bottling and<br />
delivery <strong>of</strong> spring water. Water is collected<br />
straight from <strong>the</strong> spring and transported directly<br />
to its bottling facility in state certified water<br />
trucks. There, it is filtered to remove possible<br />
1 7 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
microorganisms, and passed through high<br />
intensity, ultraviolet light to destroy any<br />
possible bacteria. The result is true, pure, clean<br />
and healthy bottled water.<br />
Conrad Pawelski serves as chief financial<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer/general manager <strong>of</strong> Palomar Mountain<br />
Premium Spring Water. He was working for Eric<br />
at <strong>the</strong> time Eric bought Palomar Water and was<br />
actively involved in <strong>the</strong> purchase <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
company out <strong>of</strong> bankruptcy in June 2005.<br />
“The business has grown more than tenfold<br />
from <strong>the</strong> time we bought <strong>the</strong> business,” said<br />
Conrad. “We will be bringing back our<br />
sparkling water with natural fruit extracts and<br />
no sweeteners, and provide more <strong>of</strong> our water<br />
in refillable and one-way glass bottles. We have<br />
also expanded our production to include a 4.5-<br />
acre facility in Oceanside for small pack bottling<br />
capability so that we can get our products into<br />
more San Diego North County locations.”<br />
Both Eric and Conrad have deep roots in<br />
<strong>the</strong> community.<br />
Eric was born in <strong>Escondido</strong> and raised in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and San Marcos. He graduated from<br />
Calvin Christian High School in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Eric and his wife have three children—a<br />
daughter, Ella, and sons Robert and Niels, who<br />
all work in <strong>the</strong> family businesses.<br />
Conrad has lived in North County since<br />
he was two years old. He grew up in Vista<br />
and resides <strong>the</strong>re now. After attending Cal<br />
Poly, he earned his MBA from Cal State<br />
San Marcos.<br />
A family-owned spring and distribution<br />
company, Palomar Mountain Spring Water is<br />
exactly as advertised—true spring water,<br />
straight from <strong>the</strong> source.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 7 9
RANCHO<br />
GUEJITO<br />
G<br />
Before <strong>Escondido</strong>, before statehood—<br />
Rancho Guejito, sustainably ranching<br />
since 1845.<br />
1 8 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 8 1
FILIPPI’S<br />
PIZZA GROTTO<br />
G<br />
Right: Bobby DePhilippis performing<br />
with his band, The Sound Doctors.<br />
Below: The front <strong>of</strong> Filippi’s Pizza<br />
Grotto on West Grand Avenue in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> during opening night <strong>of</strong> car<br />
show in 2018.<br />
Any list <strong>of</strong> popular Italian restaurants in<br />
San Diego County is certain to include <strong>the</strong><br />
name Filippi’s.<br />
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto has been revered since<br />
its first restaurant was opened in Little Italy in<br />
1950 by <strong>the</strong> patriarch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family, Vincent<br />
DePhilippis. Since <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> Filippi’s brand has<br />
expanded to include 15 restaurants, including<br />
one in <strong>Escondido</strong> on W. Grand Ave.<br />
Vincent’s grandson, Bobby DePhilippis, moved<br />
here from Philadelphia in 1965 and has carried<br />
on <strong>the</strong> tradition since 1972. He manages locations<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong> (<strong>the</strong> chain’s busiest), Poway, Jamul<br />
and Santee. His daughter, Michelle, <strong>the</strong> fourth<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> restauranteurs in <strong>the</strong> family, runs<br />
<strong>the</strong> Imperial Beach site.<br />
The Filippi’s story began when Vincent and<br />
his wife Madeline arrived from New York in<br />
1947. Vincent opened an Italian grocery store<br />
on India Street and built a 30-seat restaurant<br />
behind it. Then, <strong>the</strong>y purchased <strong>the</strong> property<br />
next door and today Filippi’s is <strong>the</strong> biggest<br />
Italian restaurant in town with 220 seats.<br />
“In 1950, <strong>the</strong> area consisted entirely <strong>of</strong><br />
fishermen,” said Bobby. “If you didn’t speak<br />
Italian, you could get waited on in <strong>the</strong> store.”<br />
Vincent, who passed away in 1957, created<br />
<strong>the</strong> recipe for lasagna which still thrives at<br />
Filippi’s locations today.<br />
“My grandfa<strong>the</strong>r's recipe is nothing fancy—<br />
garlic, oil and tomatoes, without <strong>the</strong> peels,” said<br />
Bobby. “We use <strong>the</strong> best whole milk mozzarella<br />
and <strong>the</strong> best flour.”<br />
Bobby’s fa<strong>the</strong>r, Roberto, was more <strong>of</strong> a<br />
steakhouse and cocktail guy. He launched a<br />
restaurant called Caruso's and <strong>the</strong>n opened<br />
Butcher Shop steakhouses in Chula Vista and<br />
Mission <strong>Valley</strong>.<br />
“My fa<strong>the</strong>r taught me how to treat people,”<br />
said Bobby. “Always have a smile and say hello<br />
to everybody. And, if <strong>the</strong>re are any complaints,<br />
take care <strong>of</strong> it yourself right away.”<br />
The restaurant business has been part <strong>of</strong><br />
Bobby’s DNA for some 50 years. But, he still finds<br />
time to pursue o<strong>the</strong>r interests. He promotes<br />
boxing events (he’s been inducted into <strong>the</strong><br />
California Boxing Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame and <strong>the</strong> West Coast<br />
Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame) and sings in a band called The<br />
Sound Doctors. And, for good measure, he is a<br />
founding board member <strong>of</strong> Seacoast Commerce<br />
Bank <strong>of</strong> Rancho Bernardo which began in 2003.<br />
1 8 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Henry Avocado was founded in 1925 by<br />
Charles and Florence Henry, who were among<br />
<strong>the</strong> first to plant avocados in San Diego County.<br />
Prior to service during World War I, Charles<br />
Henry worked as a gardener in Los Angeles. On<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> estates, he took special note <strong>of</strong> some<br />
newly planted avocado trees and marveled at<br />
how well <strong>the</strong>y did in <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California<br />
climate. In <strong>the</strong> early 1920s, he and Florence<br />
Schoeffel were married. Her family owned citrus<br />
groves which <strong>the</strong>y had developed in <strong>the</strong> late 19th<br />
century along <strong>the</strong> foothills <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Gabriel<br />
mountains. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir mutual interest in<br />
farming, Charles and Florence searched for a<br />
location to plant avocados and raise a family.<br />
They found an ideal eighty-acre parcel on <strong>the</strong><br />
hillsides <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. In 1925, <strong>the</strong>y started<br />
planting Fuerte trees, which, at that time, was <strong>the</strong><br />
most popular avocado variety. Over <strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong><br />
original trees were replaced with <strong>the</strong> Hass variety.<br />
By <strong>the</strong> 1930s, <strong>the</strong>y had built a packinghouse<br />
and were delivering avocados to many Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California customers. Even though times were<br />
difficult during <strong>the</strong> depression, avocados were a<br />
specialty fruit that commanded high enough<br />
prices to keep <strong>the</strong> farm going. Florence and<br />
Charles soon realized <strong>the</strong>y needed a distinctive<br />
name for <strong>the</strong>ir product. Gil and Warren, <strong>the</strong>ir two<br />
young sons, were taking piano lessons from Lyle<br />
Barber, a classically-trained piano teacher. He was<br />
over for dinner one night to celebrate <strong>the</strong> Henry’s<br />
recent blue ribbon for <strong>the</strong>ir avocado entry at <strong>the</strong><br />
Los Angeles County Fair. He tasted one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
award-winning avocados, and, using <strong>the</strong> musical<br />
term to praise an excellent performance, exclaimed<br />
“Bravo”. They all thought that sounded fitting, so<br />
“Bravo” was combined with “avocado” to become<br />
“Bravocado”. The company has continuously used<br />
Bravocado for its premium label ever since.<br />
After serving in <strong>the</strong> military during World<br />
War II, <strong>the</strong> Henry’s eldest son, Gil returned to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> to assist his parents. Gil’s bro<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Warren, after military service in <strong>the</strong> Korean War,<br />
also joined <strong>the</strong> company and both took on<br />
added responsibilities after <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r, Charles,<br />
was killed in a tractor accident in 1953. Warren<br />
focused on farming and Gil handled packing,<br />
while <strong>the</strong>ir mo<strong>the</strong>r continued to do <strong>the</strong><br />
accounting. Later in <strong>the</strong> 1950s, Florence’s<br />
nephew, George Schoeffel, joined <strong>the</strong> company<br />
to handle sales. In subsequent years, <strong>the</strong><br />
company dramatically increased production by<br />
developing additional groves.<br />
Henry built <strong>the</strong> avocado industry’s first<br />
forced-air ripening room in <strong>the</strong> early 1980s.<br />
Ripening ensured that all avocados in <strong>the</strong> same<br />
container ripened faster and more evenly, so<br />
consumers could receive a fresher avocado in <strong>the</strong><br />
desired stage <strong>of</strong> ripeness. This was recognized by<br />
consumers as an added value resulting in higher<br />
demand. To supply its expanding demand, in <strong>the</strong><br />
1990s, ripe distribution centers were added in<br />
Phoenix, Arizona, and San Jose, California. In<br />
subsequent years, distribution centers were<br />
added in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, and<br />
Charlotte, North Carolina.<br />
In 2018, <strong>the</strong> company moved its headquarters<br />
from <strong>the</strong> original property to a modern<br />
distribution building in <strong>Escondido</strong>, although <strong>the</strong><br />
original grove remained in avocado production as<br />
it has since 1925. Throughout its history,<br />
members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Henry family have been involved<br />
in numerous farming-related associations such as<br />
<strong>the</strong> Farm Bureau and <strong>the</strong> California Avocado<br />
Commission, in addition to local civic and<br />
charitable organizations.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, additional owners were added<br />
to assist and replace <strong>the</strong> retiring original partners.<br />
The current managing owners are Phil Henry,<br />
president; Don Hoey, vice-president <strong>of</strong> Sales; Rick<br />
Opel, vice-president <strong>of</strong> farm management; and<br />
Vic Varvel, vice-president <strong>of</strong> packing operations.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> early years, Henry was strictly a grower<br />
and packer <strong>of</strong> California avocados. Today, <strong>the</strong><br />
Henry’s are still growers, but <strong>the</strong> company is<br />
better described as a year-round distributor <strong>of</strong><br />
custom-ripened fresh avocados.<br />
HENRY<br />
AVOCADO<br />
CORPORATION<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 8 3
ESPERANZA’S<br />
TORTILLERIA<br />
G<br />
Top: From left to right, Luis<br />
Martinez—Victors older bro<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Victor Martinez. Picture taken in<br />
1960 when <strong>the</strong> two worked at El<br />
Charro Tortilleria.<br />
Below: Victor and Teresa Center. Left<br />
to right: Raymond, Manuel, Hugo, &<br />
Gabriel. Picture taken at 2017<br />
holiday party. Victor named <strong>the</strong><br />
business in honor <strong>of</strong> his mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Esperanza.<br />
Esperanza’s Tortilleria, founded in 1980 by<br />
Teresa and Victor Martinez, is a family-run<br />
business that believes tortillas, chips, tostadas,<br />
masa (dough) for tamales and o<strong>the</strong>r corn and<br />
flour-based products should be made using<br />
traditional techniques.<br />
Victor, a native <strong>of</strong> Guadalajara, Mexico,<br />
immigrated to California when he was seventeen<br />
years old. Family friend and former owner <strong>of</strong> El<br />
Charro Tortilleria, Alejandro Lievanos, assisted<br />
Victor’s fa<strong>the</strong>r, Victoriano Martinez, by <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
him, his wife, Esperanza, and <strong>the</strong>ir children—<br />
Luis, Victor, and Jose—jobs and by sponsoring<br />
<strong>the</strong> Martinez family in applying for permanent<br />
residency. Victor worked <strong>the</strong>re from 1959 to<br />
1980, all while saving up for his own tortilleria,<br />
which he opened with his wife.<br />
Victor and Teresa, having only a sixth-grade<br />
education, shared a vision <strong>of</strong> one day owning<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir very own tortilla business. Ga<strong>the</strong>ring <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
limited resources, <strong>the</strong>y decided to take a chance<br />
and move forward with <strong>the</strong>ir dream—one which<br />
has led to today’s enterprise.<br />
Now onto its third generation <strong>of</strong> tortilla<br />
specialists, Teresa and Victor’s sons—Manuel,<br />
Gabriel, Raymond, and Hugo—have been<br />
involved in its management and expansion.<br />
Originally located in San Marcos, <strong>the</strong> tortilleria<br />
moved to its current location in <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1996.<br />
Behind an interior door <strong>of</strong> a small Mexican<br />
market lies a factory filled with loud, rumbly<br />
machinery. Thousands <strong>of</strong> flour and corn tortillas<br />
are produced every day that will later be served in<br />
homes and restaurants as part <strong>of</strong> au<strong>the</strong>ntic meals.<br />
All <strong>the</strong> corn products are made from whole<br />
ground corn and are grounded by limestone; a<br />
traditional grinding method started by South<br />
American Indians.<br />
“We like <strong>the</strong> texture, we like <strong>the</strong> smell, and<br />
especially like <strong>the</strong> taste which goes great with<br />
Mexican dishes,” said Hugo Martinez, company<br />
vice president.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, Esperanza’s has earned an outstanding<br />
reputation among its customers due to its<br />
simple, yet consistent recipes and strong service.<br />
A wholesale and retail tortilleria, Esperanza’s<br />
distributes to restaurants, grocery stores, and catering<br />
businesses throughout Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California<br />
and is increasing its clientele to fur<strong>the</strong>r regions.<br />
1 8 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
JACK POWELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM<br />
Celebrating its sixty-second year in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, <strong>the</strong> family-owned Jack Powell<br />
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has roots in<br />
Dearborn, Michigan, where Dodge dealer Jack<br />
Powell, Sr., ran Jack Powell Motors from 1933<br />
until 1952, when he moved his family to<br />
California. In 1958, Powell established Jack<br />
Powell Desoto-Plymouth. The company, located<br />
at 332 South <strong>Escondido</strong> Boulevard, eventually<br />
obtained a Chrysler franchise, following<br />
Desoto’s discontinuation in 1960.<br />
In 1971, Jack Powell, Jr., a USC graduate,<br />
assumed management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company, which<br />
<strong>the</strong>n sold 10 to 12 new cars per month,<br />
maintained a seven-bay service department,<br />
and employed 11 people, including Jack<br />
Jr.’s mo<strong>the</strong>r Anita, who was <strong>the</strong> bookkeeper.<br />
In 1973, <strong>the</strong> Arab Oil Embargo was a<br />
significant test <strong>of</strong> Jack Jr.’s leadership. After<br />
successfully seeing <strong>the</strong> dealership through<br />
that challenging period, he bought <strong>the</strong><br />
business from his fa<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> mid-1970s, <strong>Escondido</strong>’s auto<br />
dealers recognized <strong>the</strong> need for larger<br />
facilities and organized to create an auto<br />
retailing cluster. Over a five-year period,<br />
Powell Jr., along with <strong>the</strong> owners <strong>of</strong> four<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r local dealerships, bought and developed <strong>the</strong><br />
78 acres <strong>of</strong> land that comprise <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Auto<br />
Park. In 1987, Jack Jr. merged Jack Powell Chrysler<br />
Plymouth with his new Dodge franchise to form<br />
Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge, located at 1625 Auto<br />
Park Way. Today, with 15 franchises and<br />
approximately 3,000 vehicles, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Auto<br />
Park ranks as <strong>the</strong> city’s primary sales tax generator.<br />
Jack Jr.’s children, Jasmine and Jasen Powell,<br />
entered <strong>the</strong> family business in <strong>the</strong> early 2000s,<br />
each receiving extensive training in every<br />
department. This third generation <strong>of</strong> Powell<br />
auto dealers would help navigate <strong>the</strong> 2008<br />
financial crisis and <strong>the</strong> subsequent addition <strong>of</strong> a<br />
Jeep franchise. In 2012, Jack Jr. retired, selling<br />
<strong>the</strong> business to Jasen and Jasmine, who, as partowners,<br />
oversee all operations. Jack Powell<br />
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram employs over 100<br />
people, carries about 1,000 vehicles, and boasts<br />
and annual sales volume <strong>of</strong> over $100 million.<br />
G<br />
Top, left: Jack Powell, Sr.<br />
Above: Jack Powell Motors opened<br />
in 1958.<br />
Below: Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge<br />
Jeep Ram in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Auto Park.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 8 5
WEST<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
AUTOMOTIVE &<br />
TRANSMISSION<br />
G<br />
The West <strong>Escondido</strong> Automotive &<br />
Transmission facility at 2200 Auto<br />
Park Way.<br />
West <strong>Escondido</strong> Automotive & Transmission<br />
began in August 1993 when Brian Bowersock, a<br />
23-year-old Master ASE (Automotive Service<br />
Excellence) Certified Automotive Technician, took<br />
over a failing transmission facility encompassing<br />
4,500 square feet at 644 9th Avenue in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Not only did <strong>the</strong> business name change, but<br />
Brian and his bro<strong>the</strong>r, Kevin, immediately went<br />
to work to transform <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business.<br />
In addition to performing transmission repairs,<br />
rebuilding and servicing, <strong>the</strong>y would also<br />
become a general automotive service facility,<br />
covering everything from simple engine oil<br />
changes, smog, drivability and diagnosis, to<br />
major transmission rebuilds.<br />
As <strong>the</strong> business grew, more space was needed<br />
and <strong>the</strong> business moved to a 7,500 square-foot<br />
(now covering 10,000 square feet) facility at<br />
2200 Auto Park Way. West <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Automotive employs eight Master ASE Certified<br />
Technicians, a manager, two service consultants,<br />
a parts manager and two customer service<br />
drivers. Kevin Bowersock has headed up <strong>the</strong><br />
transmission department since 1995.<br />
From <strong>the</strong> outset, Brian Bowersock has<br />
maintained a simple and effective philosophy.<br />
“Our vision is to provide <strong>the</strong> highest level <strong>of</strong><br />
automotive and customer service to everyone in<br />
<strong>the</strong> community,” said Brian. “With some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
longest warranties in <strong>the</strong> industry, it makes for a<br />
great automotive experience.”<br />
And, <strong>the</strong> business keeps growing every year.<br />
With locations in <strong>Escondido</strong>, El Cajon, Kearny,<br />
Mesa, and its newest facility in Miramar/UTC,<br />
<strong>the</strong> West Automotive Group plans to open from<br />
two to four more locations in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
And, Brian’s industry knowledge and reputation<br />
has made him a media personality. For 15 years, he<br />
has done weekly auto segments as <strong>the</strong> “AutoMan”<br />
on <strong>the</strong> CW San Diego Channel 6 and Fox 5 News<br />
along with for <strong>the</strong> better part <strong>of</strong> a decade, he has<br />
served as host <strong>of</strong> Auto Talk Radio on KFMB 760 and<br />
now <strong>the</strong> Answer San Diego 1170 radio.<br />
In addition, West Automotive Group<br />
maintains a strong commitment to its<br />
community. For many years, it has sponsored<br />
youth baseball leagues and boy scout functions<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
1 8 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
OneWest Bank, CIT's Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California<br />
branch bank, is committed to supporting <strong>the</strong><br />
local community <strong>of</strong> savers and small businesses<br />
through deposit products, lending solutions and<br />
community investments. With over 60 locations<br />
spanning from San Diego and Ventura County,<br />
we proudly <strong>of</strong>fer a personal, high-level customer<br />
experience across our branch network. In 2018,<br />
OneWest won a Gold Stevie award for<br />
excellence in customer service.<br />
In addition to serving customers' everyday<br />
financial needs, OneWest's employees regularly<br />
aid in volunteer efforts, such as providing<br />
assistance at senior centers and food banks.<br />
Chief among its philanthropic pursuits,<br />
OneWest's <strong>Escondido</strong> branch is proudly<br />
partnered with Operation HOPE, a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organization that empowers low to moderate<br />
income youth and adults with financial dignity,<br />
to <strong>of</strong>fer one-on-one counseling at no cost to<br />
clients via <strong>the</strong> HOPE Inside programming<br />
model. Financial wellbeing coaches help clients<br />
meet <strong>the</strong>ir goals, which might include boosting<br />
credit scores, home buying, entrepreneurship,<br />
and better money management.<br />
John Hope Bryant began Operation HOPE in<br />
Los Angeles in 1992 as a means to financially<br />
empower those affected by that year's riots.<br />
Since <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> organization has expanded its<br />
reach across <strong>the</strong> country and internationally<br />
through <strong>the</strong> HOPE Inside network <strong>of</strong> more than<br />
120 locations, promoting personal fiscal<br />
responsibility, small business development and<br />
job creation. Operation HOPE has touched <strong>the</strong><br />
lives <strong>of</strong> four million people, <strong>the</strong>reby generating<br />
over $3 billion in economic activity within<br />
underserved communities.<br />
ONEWEST<br />
BANK<br />
G<br />
Above: Clyde Taitano vice president <strong>of</strong><br />
OneWest Bank.<br />
Below: Clyde Taitano with Operation<br />
Hope founder John Hope Bryant.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 8 7
VOLVO<br />
SPECIALIST OF<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
G<br />
Volvo Specialist <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> is<br />
located at 235 North Andreasen<br />
Drive in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Established in 1984, Volvo Specialist <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is <strong>the</strong> premier destination for Volvo<br />
repair service, A small, high-end repair shop in a<br />
relatively small city, customers travel to <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
from Los Angeles, Arizona, and Nevada to receive<br />
quality service for <strong>the</strong>ir Volvos.<br />
Vol-Spec’s factory-trained mechanics work in<br />
clean, full-service work bays, servicing <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
range <strong>of</strong> Volvo vehicles. Additionally, it is one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> only shops in San Diego County that <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
Volvo hybrid repair service. Volvo Specialist <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> has <strong>the</strong> highest-quality diagnostic and<br />
repair technology, <strong>the</strong> same equipment that is<br />
found in Volvo dealerships. For those customers<br />
who need to leave <strong>the</strong>ir vehicle with Vol-Spec, <strong>the</strong><br />
shop <strong>of</strong>fers complimentary rentals and Uber rides.<br />
Volvo Master Technician Axel Cojulun is <strong>the</strong><br />
current owner <strong>of</strong> Volvo Specialist, having<br />
purchased <strong>the</strong> business four years ago. With over<br />
twenty-five years <strong>of</strong> hands-on experience with<br />
Volvos, he has worked as an import/export parts<br />
manager, technician, and technical trainer. His<br />
extensive background with Volvo includes<br />
technical work at <strong>the</strong> company’s Go<strong>the</strong>nburg<br />
headquarters and <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> a training<br />
center in Latin America. He has shared his<br />
cumulative expertise with Volvo dealerships<br />
worldwide. The technicians <strong>of</strong> Vol- Spec continue<br />
to attend Volvo training sessions to stay informed<br />
about <strong>the</strong> latest industry developments.<br />
Axel lives with his wife and children in a<br />
historic residence, once named “San Diego<br />
House <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Month.” Having lived all over <strong>the</strong><br />
world, Axel is proud to call <strong>Escondido</strong> home.<br />
He considers it a town on <strong>the</strong> rise and, through<br />
Vol-Spec, delivers <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> skills and service<br />
that you’d expect to find in larger cities.<br />
For more information or to schedule a repair,<br />
please visit www.volvoserviceescondido.com.<br />
1 8 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
SUNNY SIDE<br />
KITCHEN<br />
Though it only seats about 24 in<br />
approximately 600 square feet, downtown<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s Sunny Side Kitchen makes a big<br />
statement as a two-time winner <strong>of</strong> Yelp’s<br />
nationwide “Top Places to Eat.”<br />
“We are a mom and pop panini shop,” said<br />
owner Kate Carpenter. “But thanks to our<br />
amazing customers we earned a spot on Yelp’s<br />
annual list <strong>of</strong> top 100 places to eat in <strong>the</strong> nation.<br />
We are honored.”<br />
Open since 2015, Sunny Side Kitchen<br />
specializes in grilled to order panini sandwiches,<br />
homemade soup, fresh seasonal salads, and<br />
made from scratch bite-sized cookies and glutenfree<br />
muffins. The restaurant’s best-seller is “The<br />
Works,” which features egg, honey cured bacon,<br />
smashed avocado and three melty cheeses on<br />
locally baked sourdough bread.<br />
“The thing that defines us at Sunny Side<br />
Kitchen is handcrafted deliciousness,” explained<br />
owner Bob Carpenter. “We keep that in mind for<br />
everything we do, from making old-fashioned<br />
lemonade one at a time with farmers’ market<br />
lemons to our oven roasted, hand shredded<br />
chicken that goes into <strong>the</strong> signature Tuscan<br />
chicken panini and all <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r details that make<br />
a difference.”<br />
The recipes are from family members and<br />
from Kate’s collection <strong>of</strong> cookbooks acquired<br />
during her years as a food editor.<br />
“Ever since I was a kid watching my mom in<br />
<strong>the</strong> kitchen, I have loved cooking, baking and<br />
eating!” she said.“My kids always said I make<br />
<strong>the</strong> best grilled cheese sandwiches,” Bob said.<br />
“And now that I have made thousands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m,<br />
I think a lot more people would agree!”<br />
Sunny Side Kitchen is happy to be located in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, where Bob and Kate live. They feel<br />
like <strong>the</strong>y are becoming an established part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
historic downtown business community, one<br />
bite-sized cookie, cheesy panini and Yelp review<br />
at a time!<br />
Sunny Side Kitchen is located at 155 S.<br />
Orange St., in downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>. Hours are<br />
6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through<br />
Saturday. Catering available. The web site is<br />
www.SunnySideKitchen.com and <strong>the</strong> phone<br />
number is 760-294-4450.<br />
G<br />
Bob and Kate Carpenter.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 8 9
VISIT<br />
ESCONDIDO<br />
G<br />
Top: Queen Califia’s Magical Circle.<br />
COURTESY OF VISIT ESCONDIDO.<br />
Middle: San Diego Zoo Safari Park.<br />
COURTESY OF VISIT ESCONDIDO.<br />
Bottom: Hungry Hawk<br />
Vineyards & Winery.<br />
COURTESY OF VISIT ESCONDIDO.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> may mean “hidden” in Spanish<br />
but it is no secret <strong>the</strong>re is a lot going on here!<br />
Located just 30 miles north <strong>of</strong> downtown San<br />
Diego and 20 minutes from <strong>the</strong> coast,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is home to major attractions,<br />
beautiful wineries, craft breweries, unique arts<br />
and <strong>the</strong>atre, delicious culinary experiences and<br />
a charming historic downtown. Visitors and<br />
locals alike enjoy <strong>the</strong> beautiful climate with<br />
year-round golfing, hiking, biking, fishing, and<br />
fantastic events!<br />
The list <strong>of</strong> “must-do sights”<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> California Center for<br />
<strong>the</strong> Arts, <strong>Escondido</strong>, a unique<br />
performing arts complex,<br />
museum, and conference center;<br />
<strong>the</strong> San Diego Zoo Safari Park, an<br />
expansive wildlife sanctuary and<br />
conservatory; Stone Brewing<br />
World Bistro & Gardens; and <strong>the</strong><br />
amazing sculpture garden, Queen<br />
Califia’s Magical Circle, created by<br />
<strong>the</strong> late world-acclaimed artist<br />
Niki de Saint Phalle. The San<br />
Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is a<br />
fantastic family resource with interactive<br />
learning activities and <strong>the</strong> outdoor expanse <strong>of</strong><br />
Daley Ranch’s wilderness preserve provides<br />
extensive hiking, biking and equestrian trails<br />
located adjacent to Dixon Lake with great<br />
fishing and camping grounds.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> is host to over thirty-five major<br />
annual events including Cruisin’ Grand<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> , which has been one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest<br />
ongoing vintage car show traditions in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California since 1999. More recent to <strong>the</strong><br />
local event scene is <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Tamale<br />
Festival in November, which attracts over<br />
twelve thousand people and celebrates<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s Latino culture.<br />
Embracing a farm-to-table experience,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers a variety <strong>of</strong> culinary<br />
experiences with chef-owned restaurants<br />
and local eateries that are very popular in <strong>the</strong><br />
San Diego foodie world. There are also three<br />
weekly farmers’ markets and several year-round<br />
farm stands that supply <strong>the</strong> community with<br />
fresh produce, flowers, honey, and goods from<br />
local farmers.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>’s regional wineries <strong>of</strong>fer over<br />
twenty diverse tasting experiences from<br />
cool urban wineries and tasting rooms to<br />
hilltop terraces with spectacular views. Guests<br />
can spend relaxing afternoons with friends<br />
and enjoy casual opportunities to meet <strong>the</strong><br />
vintners and learn about <strong>the</strong>ir award-winning<br />
wines. The <strong>Escondido</strong> Wine Region is rich in<br />
California’s historical significance for both grape<br />
growing and wine making. Some <strong>of</strong> California’s<br />
first wine grapes were grown and pressed right<br />
here, starting <strong>the</strong> state’s wine making traditions<br />
dating back to <strong>the</strong> late 1700s.<br />
San Diego is considered <strong>the</strong> “Capital <strong>of</strong> Craft<br />
Beer” and <strong>Escondido</strong> is renowned for having <strong>the</strong><br />
largest and most historically significant brewery<br />
in Stone Brewing and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> newest, and <strong>the</strong><br />
smallest brewery in <strong>the</strong> County at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Brewing Company.<br />
With a small-town feel and diverse attractions<br />
and things to do, <strong>Escondido</strong> is a wonderful place<br />
to explore, experience and enjoy!<br />
1 9 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
DOWNTOWN<br />
BUSINESS<br />
ASSOCIATION<br />
The Downtown Business Association (DBA)<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> was established in 1962 by some<br />
community—minded downtown business<br />
owners. The main thoroughfare <strong>of</strong> downtown—<br />
Grand Avenue—dates back to 1888.<br />
“The primary function <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> DBA is to<br />
promote our historic downtown as a shopping,<br />
dining and entertainment destination,” said<br />
current board president, Alex MacLachlan.<br />
“We’ve learned from <strong>the</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past<br />
and we’re developing our own path.”<br />
One means by which <strong>the</strong> DBA promotes<br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong> is through developing<br />
events or assisting in <strong>the</strong> development and<br />
running <strong>of</strong> events. Currently, <strong>the</strong> DBA sponsors<br />
three recurring events in <strong>the</strong> community—<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Street Faire (held twice annually in<br />
May and October), For The Love <strong>of</strong> Chocolate<br />
Festival in February and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Tamale<br />
Festival in November.<br />
These events bring shoppers, investment,<br />
visitors and awareness to Grand Avenue and to<br />
<strong>the</strong> city in general. In addition, <strong>the</strong>y support <strong>the</strong><br />
economic health and cultural tourism goals <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> district.<br />
One event on <strong>the</strong> DBA’s wish list is <strong>the</strong><br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> an annual outdoor music<br />
festival in downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>. This festival<br />
would be similar to <strong>the</strong> former San Diego Street<br />
Scene, albeit smaller in scale.<br />
Always looking to enhance <strong>the</strong> beauty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
community, <strong>the</strong> DBA recently collaborated with <strong>the</strong><br />
city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> in a median beautification<br />
program along Grand Avenue. This project<br />
involved <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> old eucalyptus trees and<br />
replacement with drought tolerant trees and plants.<br />
A key function <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> DBA is for business<br />
owners to get to know <strong>the</strong>ir fellow<br />
entrepreneurs and business neighbors while<br />
serving as an advocate and promoter <strong>of</strong><br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong>. This goal has been<br />
achieved through regular meetings that bring<br />
downtown business owners toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
“We used to have a handful <strong>of</strong> people<br />
showing up at a monthly merchant meeting,”<br />
said MacLachlan. “Now, we get 40 to 50<br />
business owners toge<strong>the</strong>r every three months.<br />
We meet at a different business each quarter and<br />
discuss <strong>the</strong> issues affecting <strong>the</strong> community. We<br />
are proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> camaraderie we’ve been able to<br />
build among business owners in <strong>Escondido</strong>.”<br />
G<br />
Above: The always popular <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Tamale Festival draws big crowds<br />
very year.<br />
Below: The Downtown Business<br />
Association board.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 9 1
LEDGE MEDIA<br />
DBA<br />
HPNBOOKS<br />
Ledge Media is a leading-edge multimedia<br />
and publishing company, now headquartered<br />
in Jackson, Wyoming. Its origins can be traced<br />
back to 1973 where a small regional publishing<br />
company based in San Antonio, Texas was<br />
helping businesses and historical societies tell<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir stories in <strong>the</strong> most compelling and<br />
powerful ways possible. Working with a wide<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> clients—from corporations to civic<br />
organizations to individuals and families,<br />
Ledge Media has emerged as a force in <strong>the</strong><br />
publishing industry.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s, a new division was created,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Historical Publishing Network, better known<br />
as HPNbooks, and this division focused on<br />
producing hardcover c<strong>of</strong>fee table-style history<br />
and photo-journal type cityscape books. The<br />
first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se was Fire and Gold: The San<br />
Francisco Story. In <strong>the</strong> ensuing years, HPN<br />
Books has perfected <strong>the</strong> sponsored-book model<br />
<strong>of</strong> publishing.<br />
Conceived around <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> an ultra-highquality<br />
hardcover chronicle <strong>of</strong> a city or county’s<br />
past, <strong>the</strong>se exceptional books were also designed<br />
to raise funds for a sponsoring organization. As <strong>of</strong><br />
2020, HPNbooks has published more than 200<br />
titles, while raising hundreds <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
dollars for its many partnering groups. Now a<br />
woman-owned company, Ledge Media has fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
developed <strong>the</strong>ir publishing network and<br />
incorporated many new modern technologies<br />
including augmented reality which embeds video<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r information into printed materials.<br />
The unique mix <strong>of</strong> talents and expertise<br />
brought to bear in a Ledge Media/HPN project<br />
culminates in a remarkable creation—everything<br />
from breathtaking, photo-rich, c<strong>of</strong>fee table<br />
books and o<strong>the</strong>r printed materials to stunning<br />
websites and captivating video productions.<br />
For more information, or to inquire about<br />
producing your own publication, please visit<br />
www.ledgemedia.net or www.HPNBooks.com.<br />
1 9 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
<strong>Escondido</strong> from <strong>the</strong> Daley Ranch.<br />
T h e M a r k e t p l a c e F 1 9 3
Webb Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Trucking Company, on Grape Day in 1920.<br />
1 9 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Building a<br />
Greater <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
E s c o n d i d o ’ s e n g i n e e r s , r e a l t o r s , a n d u t i l i t i e s<br />
p r o v i d e t h e e c o n o m i c f o u n d a t i o n o f t h e c i t y<br />
Richard Meyst and Fallbrook Engineering .........................................1 9 6<br />
San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority ...............................................2 0 0<br />
Traci Bass & Associates .................................................................2 0 3<br />
B u i l d i n g a G r e a t e r E s c o n d i d o F 1 9 5
RICHARD<br />
MEYST AND<br />
FALLBROOK<br />
ENGINEERING<br />
G<br />
Young Richard Meyst.<br />
Richard Meyst, CEO <strong>of</strong> Fallbrook Engineering,<br />
<strong>the</strong> influential medical engineering company, has<br />
been instrumental in developing health care<br />
technology that many <strong>of</strong> us utilize today.<br />
A medical device design and development<br />
expert, Meyst was an engineer long before<br />
receiving his diplomas from <strong>the</strong> University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Wisconsin, Madison. In fact, it was winning<br />
a high school science fair project, in which<br />
he measured <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> G-force on<br />
hamsters, that really propelled him on his<br />
career path. It also earned him a tour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
university’s physics and engineering labs back<br />
in <strong>the</strong> 1960s.<br />
“The local newspaper (Milwaukee Journal)<br />
sponsored <strong>the</strong> science fair,” said Meyst. “One <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> perks for winning <strong>the</strong> competition was<br />
getting to spend a week at a Navy base and<br />
going out on a ship. We stayed in <strong>the</strong> barracks<br />
and went out on a destroyer. It was quite<br />
an experience.”<br />
Born in Milwaukee and raised in suburban<br />
Elm Grove, Meyst began his career in<br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn climes before an opportunity arose in<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California.<br />
“After graduating from UW Madison, I<br />
landed a job in Glens Falls, New York with a<br />
medical device company in <strong>the</strong> research and<br />
development area,” said Meyst. “Glens Falls<br />
averages more than two hundred inches <strong>of</strong> snow<br />
a year. After two years <strong>the</strong>re, I moved to Crystal<br />
Lake, Illinois where I worked for Baxter<br />
Healthcare. Five years later after enduring<br />
three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> worst winters I can remember, I<br />
was recruited by a neighbor who was an<br />
executive with an electronics company (Oak<br />
Industries) that was relocating <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
headquarters to Rancho Bernardo.”<br />
The idea <strong>of</strong> living in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California after<br />
those miserable winters certainly appealed to<br />
Meyst, who moved to <strong>Valley</strong> Center in 1980.<br />
Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> company fell on hard times<br />
and Meyst returned to working for a medical<br />
device company. He spent five years with Imed<br />
Corporation and ano<strong>the</strong>r two years with Diatek,<br />
Corp., a medical products design and<br />
manufacturing company. He held various<br />
technical and management positions with those<br />
companies in developing and manufacturing<br />
new medical products.<br />
Meyst left Diatek in 1988 and began<br />
consulting with Fallbrook Engineering as an<br />
independent contractor. After a year, he became<br />
a partner and a year later became vice president.<br />
In 2003, <strong>the</strong> company founder retired and<br />
Meyst became <strong>the</strong> sole owner, president and<br />
CEO. Bill Atkinson, a long-time employee <strong>of</strong><br />
Fallbrook Engineering, serves as vice president.<br />
Shortly after Meyst became sole owner,<br />
<strong>the</strong> company headquarters was heavily<br />
impacted by <strong>the</strong> San Diego County wildfires—<br />
specifically <strong>the</strong> Paradise fire—in October 2003<br />
which destroyed two <strong>of</strong> its four buildings. With<br />
<strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> employees, friends, colleagues,<br />
and a great insurance policy, <strong>the</strong> company<br />
rebuilt and, after a year, was performing better<br />
than ever.<br />
1 9 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
G<br />
Left: A newspaper clipping <strong>of</strong> a<br />
teenage Richard Meyst winning an<br />
award at <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Wisconsin<br />
science fair.<br />
Below: FEI President and CEO<br />
Richard Meyst.<br />
“Then, <strong>the</strong> wildfires <strong>of</strong> October 2007 once<br />
again threatened our property,” said Meyst.<br />
“Fortunately, we were spared, but it became<br />
apparent that our location was vulnerable. So,<br />
we made <strong>the</strong> decision to move to a safer, more<br />
central location.”<br />
In January 2008, Fallbrook Engineering<br />
moved its <strong>of</strong>fices from <strong>Valley</strong> Center to its<br />
current location in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
The core <strong>of</strong> its business is product design<br />
and development. And, all <strong>the</strong>se years later,<br />
that is something that still energizes Meyst to<br />
this day.<br />
“Being able to design and develop products<br />
that improve <strong>the</strong> health and overall life<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> so many people is what drives<br />
me,” said Meyst. “Our project teams<br />
have worked in concert to find design solutions<br />
to many challenging new medical product<br />
opportunities. Satisfaction comes from seeing an<br />
inventor’s dream or napkin sketch product idea<br />
turn into a manufactured product that really<br />
does improve people’s health and saves lives.”<br />
To Meyst, design is <strong>the</strong> science <strong>of</strong> compromise.<br />
Its purpose is to find optimal solutions to a myriad<br />
<strong>of</strong> difficult design challenges that result in safe,<br />
effective, reliable and economical new products.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, Meyst has been involved in<br />
numerous medical product inventions. In fact,<br />
he has 16 patents to his credit. When asked to<br />
identify his most memorable invention, he is<br />
quick to mention his very first one ranks right<br />
at <strong>the</strong> top.<br />
B u i l d i n g a G r e a t e r E s c o n d i d o F 1 9 7
G<br />
Above: FEI Vice President<br />
Bill Atkinson.<br />
Below: FEI’s <strong>of</strong>fices at 355<br />
West Grand.<br />
“That first product was a blood transfusion<br />
filter that was better than all o<strong>the</strong>r products on<br />
<strong>the</strong> market,” said Meyst. “It was able to filter<br />
more blood, cleaner and faster than all <strong>the</strong><br />
competition. And, my co-inventor and I<br />
developed <strong>the</strong> product in record time. That<br />
product was sold for better than 20 years at <strong>the</strong><br />
rate <strong>of</strong> 50,000 per month.”<br />
Fallbrook Engineering has many projects<br />
currently in <strong>the</strong> works. For starters, <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
1 9 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
developing a computer-controlled device to<br />
keep track <strong>of</strong> a patient’s medications and even<br />
dispense <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
“People who are very sick <strong>of</strong>ten have complex<br />
medication requirements, and doctors need a way<br />
to improve compliance and make sure patients<br />
take <strong>the</strong>ir medications on time,” said Meyst.<br />
They are also working on an ergonomic<br />
hand piece for laparoscopic surgery to reduce<br />
fatigue and allow <strong>the</strong> surgeon to be faster<br />
and more precise. Many instruments used<br />
today are uncomfortable and don’t fit any<br />
natural hand motion.<br />
Fallbrook Engineering is also developing an<br />
improved method <strong>of</strong> collecting umbilical cord<br />
blood. When a baby is born, <strong>the</strong> umbilical cord<br />
and placenta are eventually thrown away, but<br />
<strong>the</strong> cord blood is rich in stem cells, so <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
looking at a faster and easier way to collect and<br />
store more blood.<br />
“This is <strong>the</strong> project I’ve been working on <strong>the</strong><br />
longest,” said Meyst.<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> Meyst’s time today is spent as an<br />
expert witness where he has learned many<br />
valuable lessons that can be utilized in current<br />
and future design projects.<br />
“Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expert witness projects I take<br />
on are patent infringement legal cases,” said<br />
Meyst. “Oftentimes, <strong>the</strong> case is complicated<br />
by <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> original patents in suit<br />
were not written well or did not anticipate<br />
being challenged in a lawsuit. When we are<br />
working with our clients and <strong>the</strong>ir patent<br />
attorneys, we try to look down <strong>the</strong> road and<br />
help ensure any new patents are properly<br />
researched and documented, technically<br />
complete, meet all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clients’ needs and will<br />
stand up to future scrutiny.”<br />
Over his long and eventful career, Meyst has<br />
certainly carved out a strong niche as a medical<br />
device design and development expert.<br />
And with all that experience and knowledge,<br />
he has a simple message for students and those<br />
just getting started in <strong>the</strong>ir careers: “Do what<br />
makes you happy, and you will do an excellent<br />
job, whe<strong>the</strong>r you’re an engineer or anything<br />
else. If you don’t enjoy it, find something else.<br />
You have a long career ahead <strong>of</strong> you.”<br />
Those are definitely words Meyst has taken<br />
to heart.<br />
G<br />
Above: A FEI staff meeting.<br />
Below: The lab on <strong>the</strong> second story <strong>of</strong><br />
FEI’s <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
B u i l d i n g a G r e a t e r E s c o n d i d o F 1 9 9
SAN LUIS REY<br />
INDIAN WATER<br />
AUTHORITY<br />
G<br />
Below: The birth <strong>of</strong> Lake Wohlford.<br />
Bottom, left: Laying a siphon at La<br />
Jolla Reservation.<br />
Bottom, right: Lake Wohlford, 1924.<br />
The San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, a<br />
federally charted government agency, was created in<br />
1984 by <strong>the</strong> La Jolla, Pala, Pauma, Rincon and San<br />
Pasqual Bands <strong>of</strong> Mission Indians and ratified in <strong>the</strong><br />
settlement act. The Authority was originally created<br />
to direct and manage <strong>the</strong> federal litigation related to<br />
misappropriation <strong>of</strong> water rights associated with <strong>the</strong><br />
San Luis Rey river which was <strong>the</strong> primary source <strong>of</strong><br />
water for <strong>the</strong> reservation lands <strong>of</strong> all five Bands.<br />
The Luiseno people have lived in <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Luis Rey Basin <strong>of</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn San Diego County<br />
for thousands <strong>of</strong> years. Beginning in <strong>the</strong> mid<br />
and late 1800s, reservations for <strong>the</strong> La Jolla,<br />
Pala, Pauma, Rincon and San Pasqual Bands <strong>of</strong><br />
Mission Indians were established along and near<br />
<strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River.<br />
The La Jolla reservation, which was established<br />
in 1875, is located on <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn slopes <strong>of</strong><br />
Mount Palomar <strong>of</strong>f State Highway 76, about 25<br />
miles east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> and 60 miles nor<strong>the</strong>ast <strong>of</strong><br />
San Diego. Its population today is about 615.<br />
The Pala reservation, established by Executive<br />
Order in December 1875, is situated about forty<br />
miles nor<strong>the</strong>ast <strong>of</strong> San Diego and on <strong>the</strong> San Luis<br />
Rey River. Its current population is about 1,125.<br />
The Pauma reservation, established in 1893, is<br />
located in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>astern corner <strong>of</strong> San Diego<br />
County in <strong>the</strong> foothills <strong>of</strong> Mount Palomar about<br />
sixty-five miles from downtown San Diego. Its<br />
population today is approximately 150.<br />
The Rincon reservation was established in<br />
1875 and is located in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>astern corner <strong>of</strong><br />
San Diego County, along <strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River.<br />
Its present population is about fifteen hundred.<br />
San Pasqual reservation, established in 1910,<br />
is situated about 40 miles north <strong>of</strong> San Diego<br />
and 12 miles from <strong>Escondido</strong> in <strong>the</strong> community<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Center. Its current population is<br />
slightly more than five hundred people.<br />
In 1895, a diversion dam was built on <strong>the</strong> La<br />
Jolla reservation, without <strong>the</strong> tribes consent,<br />
diverting <strong>the</strong> water for <strong>the</strong> five reservations to<br />
<strong>the</strong> newly founded city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. The water<br />
was diverted from <strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River<br />
through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Canal, which crosses<br />
several reservations to Lake Wohlford, owned by<br />
2 0 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
<strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. The United States<br />
government sanctioned this project and <strong>the</strong><br />
State <strong>of</strong> California was complicit in this action.<br />
In 1969, <strong>the</strong> five bands filed a lawsuit<br />
maintaining <strong>the</strong> Federal Government had violated<br />
its “Trust” relationship with <strong>the</strong> Bands by allowing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir water to be diverted to <strong>Escondido</strong> and Vista..<br />
The lawsuit accused <strong>the</strong> United States, <strong>the</strong> Vista<br />
Irrigation District and <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
acting to illegally divert ninety percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Luis Rey River water to an aqueduct—even though<br />
<strong>the</strong> five North County Indian tribes relied on <strong>the</strong><br />
water to supply <strong>the</strong>ir lands.<br />
The parties came toge<strong>the</strong>r to support Public<br />
Law 100-675 San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights<br />
Settlement Act, which was passed on November<br />
17, 1988. In an act to settle water rights, Congress<br />
concluded that "<strong>the</strong> La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual,<br />
Pauma, and Pala Bands <strong>of</strong> Mission Indians on or<br />
near <strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River in San Diego need a<br />
reliable source <strong>of</strong> water.” This Law established a<br />
$30 million Tribal Development Fund and<br />
allocated 16,000 acre-feet <strong>of</strong> supplemental water<br />
per year to <strong>the</strong> Indian Water Authority.<br />
On January 18, 2001, <strong>the</strong> Secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Interior signed a preliminary agreement to restore<br />
water rights to <strong>the</strong> La Jolla, Pala, Pauma, Rincon,<br />
and San Pasqual Bands after years <strong>of</strong> litigation over<br />
<strong>the</strong> diversion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River by <strong>the</strong> city<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Mutual Water<br />
Company and <strong>the</strong> Vista Irrigation District.<br />
Mission accomplished? Not so fast.<br />
G<br />
From top to bottom:<br />
Water from <strong>the</strong> San Luis Rey River<br />
flowing to <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Building <strong>Escondido</strong> canal<br />
Building <strong>the</strong> All-American canal.<br />
Lake Wohlford today.<br />
B u i l d i n g a G r e a t e r E s c o n d i d o F 2 0 1
G<br />
Above: Tribe members at <strong>the</strong> historic<br />
signing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agreement returning<br />
water rights to <strong>the</strong> tribes in 2016.<br />
Below: Allen E. Lawson signing<br />
<strong>the</strong> agreement restoring tribal<br />
water rights.<br />
After decades <strong>of</strong> debate and litigation, a<br />
settlement in <strong>the</strong> case was tentatively reached in<br />
2014. But, Congress wasn’t allowed to act after <strong>the</strong><br />
Congressional Budget Office labeled <strong>the</strong> deal as<br />
having a fiscal impact because it would enable <strong>the</strong><br />
tribes to fully deplete a fund created in <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1980s that was specifically earmarked for ending<br />
<strong>the</strong> dispute. After several amendments to <strong>the</strong> bill,<br />
<strong>the</strong> agreement was finally signed into law by <strong>the</strong><br />
United States government on December 16, 2016.<br />
The settlement finally took effect on May 17, 2017<br />
after it had been approved by <strong>the</strong> Federal District<br />
Court in San Diego and <strong>the</strong> Federal Energy<br />
Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.<br />
The big breakthrough in <strong>the</strong> lawsuit came in<br />
<strong>the</strong> mid-late 2000s when parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> All-American<br />
Canal and <strong>the</strong> Coachella Canal—which both bring<br />
water from <strong>the</strong> Colorado River to parts <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California—were lined to stop about a hundred<br />
thousand acre-feet <strong>of</strong> water from seeping into <strong>the</strong><br />
ground each year. The first sixteen thousand acrefeet<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> captured water was set aside for <strong>the</strong><br />
tribes, as per <strong>the</strong> 2014 settlement, to make up for<br />
<strong>the</strong> river water taken from <strong>the</strong>m years earlier.<br />
The San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority was<br />
formed to manage this litigation on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
tribes. For 47 years, <strong>the</strong> Indian Water Authority and<br />
<strong>the</strong> five tribes fought <strong>the</strong> federal government, <strong>the</strong><br />
city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Vista Irrigation District to<br />
return <strong>the</strong> water rights that had been taken from<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. Long overdue, it was finally realized in 2016.<br />
Unfortunately, litigation carried on for so many<br />
years that by <strong>the</strong> time <strong>the</strong> agreement was reached<br />
in late 2017 many <strong>of</strong> those who had fought so<br />
hard for <strong>the</strong> deal had already passed away.<br />
For Bo Mazzetti, chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rincon band<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mission Indians, it was indeed a bittersweet<br />
moment. He admitted that his biggest regret was<br />
that none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original people who labored so<br />
diligently for <strong>the</strong> agreement were not alive to see<br />
it come to fruition.<br />
This included deceased board members Henry<br />
Rodriguez, Robert L<strong>of</strong>ton, Lester Nelson, Leonard<br />
Nelson, and Rose Hatfield (La Jolla Band <strong>of</strong> Luiseño<br />
Indians); Leland Majel, Benjamin Magante, Sr.,<br />
Florence L<strong>of</strong>ton, and Lorena L. Dixon (Pauma<br />
Band <strong>of</strong> Mission Indians); Mary Matteson, Agustine<br />
Orosco and Ray Natividad (San Pasqual Band <strong>of</strong><br />
Mission Indians); Don Magee (Pala Band <strong>of</strong> Mission<br />
Indians); Vernon Wright, Leo D. Calac, Max<br />
Mazzetti, Donald Calac, Edward T. Arviso, Douglas<br />
Calac, Frank Mazzetti and Richard M. Sola (Rincon<br />
Band <strong>of</strong> Luiseño Indians).<br />
2 0 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
TRACI BASS &<br />
ASSOCIATES<br />
Traci Bass moved to <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1985 from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Silicon <strong>Valley</strong> to be close to her sisters. Traci<br />
got her Real Estate license in 1985 and her Brokers<br />
license in 1992. She is a mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> four and<br />
grandmo<strong>the</strong>r to five beautiful little girls. Dedicated<br />
to being a presence in <strong>the</strong>ir lives, she never<strong>the</strong>less<br />
hasn’t slowed down her drive for Real Estate.<br />
Working with both buyers and sellers, Traci is<br />
constantly giving her clients one hundred percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> her attention and helping to build <strong>the</strong>ir dreams<br />
<strong>of</strong> homeownership. Traci has been rated top agent<br />
in sales with her company for over <strong>the</strong> years and<br />
continues to treat her clients like family, always<br />
giving <strong>the</strong>m her best service. Traci has been<br />
growing her team, and her son Ryan Bass and<br />
daughter Barbie Bass are now assisting her with<br />
making her clients’ dreams come true, no matter<br />
<strong>the</strong> market.<br />
Traci has made her stamp here in San Diego<br />
County and continues to help families reach <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
dream <strong>of</strong> home ownership, ei<strong>the</strong>r here or relocating<br />
away. With thirty-four years <strong>of</strong> Real Estate passion,<br />
you’re definitely in good hands with Traci<br />
and her team.<br />
G<br />
Above: For over thirty years, Traci<br />
Bass has been helping her clients<br />
make <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir home.<br />
Below: Ryan, Traci, and Barbie Bass.<br />
B u i l d i n g a G r e a t e r E s c o n d i d o F 2 0 3
G<br />
Santa Ana photographer Edward Cochems and family at <strong>Escondido</strong> Grape Day, <strong>Escondido</strong>, 1912.<br />
COURTESY OF TUSTIN AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY<br />
2 0 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Family Heritage<br />
F a m i l i e s a n d i n d i v i d u a l s w h o s e<br />
l e g a c i e s c o n t i n u e t o s h a p e<br />
t h e f u t u r e o f E s c o n d i d o<br />
S P E C I A L<br />
T H A N K S T O<br />
The Hillebrecht/Emerson/Adams Families ..........................................2 0 6<br />
The Bandy Family<br />
(Crandall, Kelsey, Loomis, O’Dell, Bandy) ...................................2 1 1<br />
D’Agosta Shoes .............................................................................2 1 2<br />
The Knappe Family .......................................................................2 1 7<br />
Bob Wilson ..................................................................................2 1 8<br />
The Homer Heller Ford Family ........................................................2 2 0<br />
Chick Embry ................................................................................2 2 2<br />
The Von Seggern Family .................................................................2 2 4<br />
Neri Hoxsie .................................................................................2 2 6<br />
The Lusardi Family .......................................................................2 2 8<br />
The Humphrey Family ....................................................................2 3 0<br />
The Baker Family..........................................................................2 3 2<br />
The Alto Family ............................................................................2 3 4<br />
Judy and Eric Kroesche ..................................................................2 3 5<br />
The Hawthorne Family ...................................................................2 3 6<br />
The Redmond Family and Golfcraft ..................................................2 3 7<br />
The Witman Ranch ........................................................................2 3 8<br />
The Prior Family ..........................................................................2 3 9<br />
Gloria Warren ..............................................................................2 4 0<br />
The Bates Family &<br />
Bates Nut Farm<br />
15954 Woods <strong>Valley</strong> Road<br />
<strong>Valley</strong> Center, CA 92082<br />
760-749-3333<br />
www.batesnutfarm.biz<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 0 5
THE HILLEBRECHT/EMERSON/ADAMS FAMILIES<br />
Hillebrechts have been farmers in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
California for four generations. George and Caro<br />
Stone Bass were married in 1925. Georgia,<br />
James Henry, and Benonia Bass were born<br />
during 1926-1929. Caro Stone Bass Hillebrecht<br />
died in 1947. George struggled with <strong>the</strong> family<br />
farming business. Ben learned how to farm<br />
from his dad, but received a college degree from<br />
Cal Poly State University.<br />
Ben married a widow, Frances Emerson<br />
Miller, daughter <strong>of</strong> Eric and Ruth Smitley<br />
Emerson. Eric Emerson had brought his family<br />
to <strong>Escondido</strong> from Ohio in 1943 and<br />
established an accounting business.<br />
The Ben Hillebrecht family grew with Michael<br />
Miller, Mary Caro, Sally Ruth and Laura Jane, all<br />
two years apart. The growing family and farming<br />
demands created long days <strong>of</strong> hard work. Each<br />
<strong>of</strong>fspring after graduating from college received<br />
over twenty acres <strong>of</strong> land in 1990. Michael Miller<br />
Hillebrecht married Carol Anne Spoelstra and<br />
raised three children. Lisa, Robert and Joni grew<br />
up on this farm called Brecht Farm. Mary Caro<br />
manages farmer’s markets in San Diego. Sally<br />
Ruth married Martin Pozzi, a hay broker and<br />
cattle/sheep rancher in Petaluma, Ca. Laura Jane<br />
married John Kapusnik, an engineer. Ben and<br />
Frances worked to improve <strong>the</strong> quality and<br />
diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir crop <strong>of</strong>ferings, and opened two<br />
farm stands that John and Laura continue to<br />
operate “Farm Stand West” and “Fran’s Original<br />
Farm Stand” along with growing produce on<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir land. Frances died <strong>of</strong> cancer in 2004 at <strong>the</strong><br />
age <strong>of</strong> 73.<br />
Ben formally transferred over a hundred<br />
acres to <strong>the</strong> third generation with hopes for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
success, but remains in <strong>the</strong> homestead on 40<br />
acres <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> farm he loves.<br />
2 0 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
T H E E M E R S O N / H I L L E B R E C H T F A M I L I E S<br />
The great grand-children<br />
<strong>of</strong> George and Caro<br />
Hillebrecht are Lisa, Robert,<br />
and Joni Hillebrecht; Regina<br />
and Steven Pozzi; and<br />
Christina, Adam, Samuel,<br />
and Jillian Waldum<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 0 7
In 2005, Ben married Edith Anne Adams Blood, a widow<br />
with her own local roots.<br />
Her parents, Dr. Linus Emanuel Adams and Helen Louise<br />
Neill Adams, came to <strong>Escondido</strong> to start <strong>the</strong>ir family in 1931.<br />
Dr Adams, newly graduated from medical school, was one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> few doctors in a <strong>the</strong>n-small farming town <strong>of</strong> less than four<br />
thousand people. Dr. Adams was <strong>the</strong> first doctor to have an<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice with all <strong>the</strong> modern medical equipment, including an<br />
X-ray machine with developing room, operating-room,<br />
pathology lab, and three rooms for bed patients.<br />
Linus and Helen raised three children: Jane Louise, Edith<br />
Anne, and Richard Lee.<br />
Jane Louise married Robert Charles Froeschle and raised two children:<br />
Richard Craig and Anne Louise. Edith Anne, a teacher, married James Richard<br />
McKenzie and raised three children: David Neill, Kathryn Jane, and Julie Anne.<br />
Richard Lee, a pharmacist, married Susan Jeffers (also an <strong>Escondido</strong> family)<br />
and raised three children: Barbara Lynne, Roderick Colley, and Mark Clement.<br />
Jane Louise married Robert Charles<br />
Froeschle and raised two children: Richard<br />
Craig and Anne Louise. Edith Anne, a teacher,<br />
married James Richard McKenzie and raised<br />
three children: David Neill, Kathryn Jane, and<br />
Julie Anne.<br />
Richard Lee, a pharmacist, married Susan<br />
Jeffers (also an <strong>Escondido</strong> family) and raised<br />
three children: Barbara Lynne, Roderick Colley,<br />
and Mark Clement.<br />
G<br />
Left: from left to right. Siblings Edith Anne, with Mom (Helen<br />
Louise Neill Adams), Jane Louise, Richard Lee in Palm Springs,<br />
California 1998.<br />
2 0 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
T H E A D A M S / H I L L E B R E C H T F A M I L I E S<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 0 9
Today, Ben and Edith continue to live on <strong>the</strong><br />
Hillebrecht family farm while also traveling and<br />
enjoying <strong>the</strong>ir blended grandchildren and<br />
extended family.<br />
Ben says, “The forty acres is more than<br />
enough to retire, but difficult to maintain <strong>the</strong><br />
farm with raising costs <strong>of</strong> water.” Growth <strong>of</strong> this<br />
wonderful city, called <strong>Escondido</strong>, continues to<br />
flourish with <strong>the</strong> new modern ways <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Diego County.<br />
G<br />
Top: Catalina Institute <strong>of</strong> Oceanography Sailing Camp 2015:<br />
Edie and Ben, Samuel, Kate, Julie, and Jillian.<br />
2 1 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
THE<br />
BANDY FAMILY<br />
(CRANDALL,<br />
KELSEY,<br />
LOOMIS,<br />
O’DELL,<br />
BANDY)<br />
The lineage began with George Wyatt Gibson<br />
(Civil War VET) and wife Liddia Warren, who<br />
moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma. After<br />
Liddia died, George moved with daughter Susan<br />
Bandy’s family to <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1908. When<br />
George passed away in 1909, his death made<br />
<strong>the</strong> front page <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> paper.<br />
Es<strong>the</strong>r Kelsey married Augustine O’Dell Jr in<br />
Michigan. After Augustine died, Es<strong>the</strong>r moved<br />
with William Loomis to <strong>Escondido</strong>. They<br />
married in 1908. Es<strong>the</strong>r’s son Emery followed<br />
later. Will and Es<strong>the</strong>r owned Loomis & O’Dell<br />
second-hand goods store on 227 W Grand Ave.<br />
Emery O’Dell married Hattie Crandall in<br />
Michigan. Hattie died in 1918 after traveling to<br />
California. Emery worked with his step-fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and mo<strong>the</strong>r until he opened his own furniture<br />
store next door to <strong>the</strong>irs. Emery and his<br />
children, including Pansy, lived in <strong>the</strong> basement<br />
<strong>of</strong> that store.<br />
Tom Bandy and Susan Gibson married in Pauls<br />
<strong>Valley</strong>, OK. They had nine children, including<br />
Albert. Tom opened a blacksmith shop called “Tom<br />
Bandy and Sons” in <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1908, which later<br />
moved to <strong>the</strong> Heritage Park. The family owned a<br />
Victorian-style house on S Juniper Street that is on<br />
<strong>the</strong> National Register Home listing.<br />
Albert Richard Bandy and Pansy Mae O’Dell<br />
met in <strong>Escondido</strong>, got married and had Pamela<br />
Condry, Jacqueline Rigg and Allene Robinson.<br />
Albert bought <strong>the</strong> blacksmith shop from his fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
when Tom Bandy retired. Pansy and Albert did<br />
volunteer work. Pansy served as treasurer/Sunday<br />
school teacher at First Congregational Church.<br />
They lived on a ranch on N Fig Street.<br />
Jacqueline Bandy married Edward James Rigg, a<br />
WWII VET serving in <strong>the</strong> Marines. Jacqueline was<br />
born in 1927 in <strong>the</strong> house at 832 <strong>Escondido</strong> Blvd,<br />
now a beauty shop. They had four children,<br />
Cynthia MacDonald, Deborah Sitlington, Christy<br />
Hendrickson and Edward A. Rigg. Sadly, Jacqueline<br />
Jean (Bandy) Rigg passed away on December 6,<br />
2019 at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> ninety-two.<br />
Our family fondly remembers trips to visit<br />
our grandparents, aunts and cousins in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>. We also shared memories <strong>of</strong> our<br />
great aunt Mary Bandy, a respected interior<br />
designer in Beverly Hills, who decorated homes<br />
for many celebrities and also maintained a home<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
G<br />
Above: Tom and Sue Bandy.<br />
Below: Pansy and Albert Bandy.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 1 1
D’AGOSTA<br />
SHOES<br />
A long time <strong>Escondido</strong> business establishment<br />
was opened at 146 East Grand Avenue in 1931 by<br />
Alfio D’Agosta who immigrated from Sicily in<br />
1921. He originally opened it as a shoe repair<br />
shop. He and his wife, Josephine, lived behind<br />
<strong>the</strong> store with <strong>the</strong>ir family. The photo above<br />
shows Alfio and his children, Tom and Josephine<br />
(Johnston). Son Cirino (Sid), who is not shown,<br />
had joined <strong>the</strong> Navy and was <strong>of</strong>f serving his<br />
Country. If you look closely at <strong>the</strong> calendar on <strong>the</strong><br />
wall, you will see <strong>the</strong> year was 1942. Also, note<br />
<strong>the</strong> many cowboy boots left for repair by <strong>the</strong><br />
Wranglers at Daley Ranch. At this point in time,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> had developed a thriving agricultural<br />
community that included many ranchers and<br />
farmers in need <strong>of</strong> boot repairs.<br />
In 1946, Alfio relocated <strong>the</strong> family business<br />
to 106 West Grand Avenue. Solid and sound<br />
operation through <strong>the</strong> depression years and<br />
through <strong>the</strong> years <strong>of</strong> World War II, when<br />
rationing and shortages made business difficult<br />
marked <strong>the</strong> store’s history. When World War II<br />
ended, Sid D’Agosta became manager and <strong>the</strong><br />
store opened a new department featuring men’s<br />
work shoes. Since <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> store expanded its<br />
<strong>of</strong>ferings to include both women and children’s<br />
shoes and it became noted for <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> its<br />
shoes and repair work.<br />
In August <strong>of</strong> 1960, Alfio D’Agosta established<br />
his second shoe store in Vista. It would be<br />
managed by his son, Tom D’Agosta, and assisted<br />
by his sister, Josie D’Agosta (Johnston). The<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> store would be managed by Sid<br />
D’Agosta. Bennie Colia, who joined <strong>the</strong> family<br />
business in 1946, was named Assistant Manager<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> store.<br />
D’Agosta Shoes would remain in business on<br />
Grand Avenue in downtown <strong>Escondido</strong> for 67<br />
years. Alfio D’Agosta would continue working at<br />
<strong>the</strong> store until he was 92 years old.<br />
2 1 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 1 3
2 1 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO TOM D’AGOSTA<br />
OCTOBER 24, 1938 TO AUGUST 2, 2020<br />
Those <strong>of</strong> us who knew and loved Tom<br />
D’Agosta miss him dearly. Tom had such a great<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> humor and was generous to a fault.<br />
Tom D’Agosta was born at home in<br />
downtown <strong>Escondido</strong> on October 24, 1938. He<br />
joined two siblings, Josie and Sid D’Agosta. He<br />
attended grade schools here and graduated from<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> High School in 1958. Tom joined <strong>the</strong><br />
family shoe business in 1958. Right away it was<br />
clear that Tom had <strong>the</strong> mind <strong>of</strong> a businessman.<br />
D'Agosta Shoes opened a second shoe store in<br />
Vista which Tom successfully managed.<br />
Expanding his entrepreneurial skills and his love<br />
for motorcycles, he opened <strong>the</strong> very first Suzuki<br />
motorcycle dealership in San Diego County in<br />
Vista. His second Suzuki dealership was opened<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong> and a third he opened in Poway.<br />
Tom decided <strong>Escondido</strong> could use a broader,<br />
more exciting nightlife. He opened his first<br />
restaurant—The Chez Orleans restaurant and<br />
<strong>the</strong> nightclub Time Machine—in <strong>Escondido</strong> in<br />
1980. His grand opening spanned two<br />
weekends with a total <strong>of</strong> over 4,000 attendees.<br />
Disco had come to <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> same year he opened D’Agosta Realty<br />
and D’Agosta Development. Tom was a General<br />
Contractor. He built and ran <strong>the</strong> Sheridan Inn<br />
on <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> El Norte Parkway and Centre<br />
City Parkway and was involved in building<br />
many developments in <strong>Escondido</strong>, including<br />
<strong>the</strong> project that became known as Circle R.<br />
In 1994 Tom took his love for cooking, fine<br />
dining and delicious food to <strong>the</strong> next level and<br />
opened Sirino’s Restaurant on his beloved<br />
Grand Avenue. Tom had a vision that Grand<br />
Avenue could attract people who loved to eat,<br />
shop, and congregate and would become once<br />
again <strong>the</strong> centerpiece <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Tom was a true visionary and had big ideas<br />
for <strong>Escondido</strong>. He served on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> City<br />
Council from 2000 to 2004. Too <strong>of</strong>ten people<br />
run for elected <strong>of</strong>fice for personal gain. That<br />
wasn't <strong>the</strong> case with Tom. His motivation was to<br />
give back to <strong>the</strong> community he loved. Tom was<br />
<strong>the</strong> sort <strong>of</strong> homegrown local boy who just<br />
wanted to make sure that government did right<br />
by his neighbor. That's why he served.<br />
Tom loved life. He loved riding his<br />
motorcycle. He loved red wine and good food.<br />
He loved his community and his country. And<br />
most importantly, he loved <strong>the</strong> people in his<br />
life—number one was <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> his life, June,<br />
<strong>the</strong> kids he inherited as well as <strong>the</strong> grandkids,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> friends that he cherished so deeply. If<br />
you were lucky enough to be in his circle, you<br />
were certainly <strong>the</strong> better for it.<br />
We miss you, Tommy D. We love you.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 1 5
2 1 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Julius Knappe (b: 1871) met his future wife,<br />
Bertha Koch, (b: 1882) on a Berlin, Germany,<br />
trolley. After marrying in 1903, <strong>the</strong> couple sailed<br />
to England <strong>the</strong>n to Canada, where Margaret was<br />
born (1904-1978). The Knappes entered <strong>the</strong> US<br />
via <strong>the</strong> Great Lakes. Elsie (1906-1991) was born<br />
in Indiana. The family finally settled in San<br />
Diego where Oscar (1909-1989) was born as<br />
was Helen (1910-1998). The family moved to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1911. Julius, a tailor, opened<br />
Knappe Kleaning Kompany at 437 E. Grand<br />
Avenue. The family lived in <strong>the</strong> rear. The arrivals<br />
<strong>of</strong> Bertha (1912-2005) and Frieda (1918-2001)<br />
completed <strong>the</strong> family.<br />
Upon Julius’ death in 1939, <strong>the</strong> business<br />
was sold to Hoovers Cleaners. Bertha remained<br />
on <strong>the</strong>ir vineyard property at Hill Avenue (El<br />
Norte Parkway) and Broadway. Bertha remarried<br />
in her sunset years to Horace Gilbert. She<br />
passed away in 1973. Later, Oscar developed<br />
<strong>the</strong> homestead into a neighborhood shopping<br />
center, sold in 1989.<br />
The Knappes celebrate four generations <strong>of</strong><br />
descendants born in <strong>Escondido</strong>. It began when<br />
Margaret married Henry Junge, citrus rancher.<br />
Bertha married James “Cy” Adkins, orthodontist.<br />
Oscar married Leona Wells. Oscar’s <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
business endeavors included <strong>Valley</strong> Oil Co.,<br />
North County Employers’ Association and<br />
The Fabric Mart.<br />
The o<strong>the</strong>r Knappe <strong>of</strong>fspring settled within<br />
<strong>the</strong> county—close enough for family reunions.<br />
THE KNAPPE<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Left: Julius and Bertha Knappe,<br />
wedding photo 1903, in<br />
Charlottenburg, Germany.<br />
Below: Knappe Kleaning Kompany<br />
Bertha, Julius and Oscar Knappe. c.<br />
1930, Grand Avenue, <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Bottom: Oscar and Leona Knappe,<br />
50th anniversary celebration, 1984.<br />
The tailor shop’s large window faced Grand.<br />
Julius, just over five feet tall, was <strong>of</strong>ten seen<br />
cross-legged on <strong>the</strong> cutting table hand-stitching<br />
a suit.<br />
Julius and Bertha, with six o<strong>the</strong>r German<br />
immigrant families, founded Grace Lu<strong>the</strong>ran<br />
Church in May, 1919. Their first sanctuary, on <strong>the</strong><br />
corner <strong>of</strong> Grand and Ivy, built by Chinese labor,<br />
was purchased from <strong>the</strong> Methodists for $2500 in<br />
1920. Grace Lu<strong>the</strong>ran Church and School, now<br />
located at 13th and Redwood, celebrated its<br />
100th anniversary in May, 2019. Arlene Knappe<br />
Shuster (Bob), Julius and Bertha’s granddaughter,<br />
co-chaired <strong>the</strong> event and is <strong>the</strong> only living<br />
descendant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> founding families still an active<br />
member at Grace.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 1 7
BOB WILSON<br />
G<br />
Above: Bob Wilson and his twin<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r, Bill.<br />
Bottom, left: Bob Wilson's family at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Richland Schoolhouse at his 90th<br />
Birthday Celebration.<br />
Bottom, right: Richland Elementary<br />
School students in 1938. Bob is in <strong>the</strong><br />
back row on <strong>the</strong> far right.<br />
Growing up in <strong>Escondido</strong>...The Bob Wilson<br />
story began on January 23, 1929, <strong>the</strong> day he<br />
and his twin bro<strong>the</strong>r, Bill, were born in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
family’s home at <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast corner <strong>of</strong> Fourth<br />
and Grape Streets in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twins, Bob’s fa<strong>the</strong>r went<br />
to settle up with <strong>the</strong> doctor.<br />
He asked, “What do I owe you, Doc?”<br />
“Delivering a baby and <strong>the</strong> pre-care is a<br />
standard $50,” replied <strong>the</strong> doctor.<br />
“But, doc, <strong>the</strong>re were two,” said Mr. Wilson.<br />
“You’re right,” said <strong>the</strong> doctor. “Throw in an<br />
extra five dollars for <strong>the</strong> second one.”<br />
His fa<strong>the</strong>r’s resourcefulness was evident to<br />
Bob. A post <strong>of</strong>fice worker, his fa<strong>the</strong>r enlisted <strong>the</strong><br />
help <strong>of</strong> his fellow colleagues to help build his<br />
new home.<br />
“Dad didn’t have any money to speak <strong>of</strong>, yet<br />
he managed to not only oversee, but physically<br />
assist in <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> a small house <strong>of</strong><br />
about six hundred square feet,” said Bob. “It<br />
consisted <strong>of</strong> one bedroom, a bath, kitchen and<br />
living room/dining room combination, along<br />
with a detached garage.”<br />
When <strong>the</strong> house was finally ready, Bob’s<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r carried his bride over <strong>the</strong> threshold,<br />
through <strong>the</strong> front door, and set her down on <strong>the</strong><br />
kitchen counter at <strong>the</strong>ir new home.<br />
“To his horror, <strong>the</strong> varnish was not yet dry,”<br />
said Bob. “As a result, her dress stuck to <strong>the</strong><br />
counter when she tried to get back on her feet.”<br />
Nearly two years after Bob and Bill were born,<br />
a younger sister, Carol, arrived in late 1930. ten<br />
years later, younger bro<strong>the</strong>r, Martin, was born.<br />
Tragically, an older sister, Charlotte Jean, died<br />
from polio at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> seven in 1934.<br />
When Bob and Bill were seven, Mr. Wilson<br />
purchased a ten-acre plot <strong>of</strong> land in Richland,<br />
four miles west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city. This became <strong>the</strong> site<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir second home. Because he couldn’t afford<br />
to own two houses, he moved <strong>the</strong> family to a<br />
house on 7th Street which he rented. This was<br />
where Bob would begin <strong>the</strong> first grade. The<br />
country home was finished by <strong>the</strong> time Bob and<br />
Bill entered second grade. Bob cherishes <strong>the</strong><br />
lifetime friendships that were forged in those<br />
early years.<br />
Life in Richland was a wonderful experience<br />
for Bob. His fa<strong>the</strong>r was a “gentleman farmer” in<br />
that farming wasn’t his pr<strong>of</strong>ession, but it became<br />
a way <strong>of</strong> life. Most <strong>of</strong> what <strong>the</strong>y ate came from <strong>the</strong><br />
farm. Bob’s mo<strong>the</strong>r canned vegetables in season<br />
to be consumed in winter when fresh vegetables<br />
were not available. Protein came from chickens,<br />
rabbits and <strong>the</strong> occasional turkey. And, <strong>the</strong>y had<br />
a cow for milk, butter and cottage cheese.<br />
Bob and Bill were enrolled at Richland<br />
Elementary School. There was one room and<br />
one teacher for all eight grades. At <strong>the</strong> time,<br />
2 1 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
<strong>the</strong>re were just 12 students in <strong>the</strong> entire school,<br />
three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong> Wilson family.<br />
Bob and Bill <strong>the</strong>n made <strong>the</strong> giant leap from <strong>the</strong><br />
rural, one-room school to <strong>the</strong> imposing new<br />
world <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> High School, complete with<br />
six hundred students. Their mo<strong>the</strong>r purchased<br />
shiny new lunch pails for <strong>the</strong> boys. When <strong>the</strong> bell<br />
rang to signal lunch, Bob and Bill grabbed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lunch pails and followed <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r kids out to <strong>the</strong><br />
lawn to eat. To <strong>the</strong>ir horror, <strong>the</strong> twins noticed<br />
everyone else was eating out <strong>of</strong> brown paper<br />
bags. Not one o<strong>the</strong>r lunch pail could be spotted!<br />
Needless to say, that was <strong>the</strong> last day <strong>the</strong>y would<br />
venture to school toting <strong>the</strong>ir lunch pails.<br />
At a high school reunion thirty years later, a<br />
female classmate remarked to Bob: “I remember<br />
you and Bill on your first day in school. You<br />
were <strong>the</strong> ones with <strong>the</strong> lunch pails.”<br />
The Wilson boys survived that first year. The<br />
following year, <strong>the</strong>y both went out for football and<br />
made <strong>the</strong> team. Soon, <strong>the</strong>y joined social clubs and<br />
Bob became student body president in his senior<br />
year. After that inauspicious start, <strong>the</strong>y had arrived.<br />
Bob Wilson was feted with a celebration at<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> High School in 2019 to mark his<br />
90th birthday with more than 300 people in<br />
attendance. To cap <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> day, <strong>Escondido</strong> mayor<br />
Paul McNamara proclaimed February 10, 2019,<br />
as Bob Wilson Day in honor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> graduate<br />
from <strong>the</strong> class <strong>of</strong> 1947.<br />
G<br />
Above: Bob and wife Marion.<br />
Below: Bob, Marion and <strong>the</strong>ir sons.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 1 9
THE HOMER<br />
HELLER FORD<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Top: Helen and Homer Heller,<br />
founders <strong>of</strong> Heller Ford.<br />
Middle: Helen and Don Heller. Don<br />
was named general manager <strong>of</strong> Heller<br />
Ford in 1969.<br />
Bottom: The Homer Heller Co.<br />
Stage in 1945. Shown are (from left<br />
to right) John R. Crenshaw, service<br />
manager; Homer M. Heller, owner;<br />
Fred Rich, driver; and Percy<br />
Evans, owner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Times-Advocate newspaper.<br />
The Homer Heller Ford Family is proud <strong>of</strong> its<br />
seventy-two-year heritage in <strong>Escondido</strong>. Three<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> Hellers kept pace with <strong>the</strong> city’s<br />
growth, by expanding and relocating <strong>the</strong>ir Ford<br />
dealership facilities and volunteering seven<br />
decades <strong>of</strong> community service.<br />
The Heller family’s legacy began in<br />
September 1940 when Homer and Helen Heller<br />
moved from Long Beach, California, with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
two children, Marilyn, age three, and Don, nine<br />
months, to <strong>Escondido</strong>’s growing community <strong>of</strong><br />
4,560 residents.<br />
The Hellers’ dream <strong>of</strong> owning an automobile<br />
dealership came true on January 14, 1941,<br />
when Ford Motor Co. granted <strong>the</strong>m <strong>Escondido</strong>’s<br />
franchise at 224 East Grand Avenue. A few years<br />
later, Homer was awarded <strong>the</strong> Oceanside<br />
franchise and partnered with Long Beach friend<br />
Vince Dixon, who became sole owner <strong>of</strong> Dixon<br />
Heller Ford in 1960.<br />
During World War II, dealers were denied<br />
new cars, so Heller built a thriving used car sales<br />
and auto repair business. Both <strong>Escondido</strong> and<br />
Oceanside had train stations carrying auto parts<br />
from <strong>the</strong> East Coast. Heller realized <strong>the</strong> need for<br />
residents to travel between <strong>the</strong> two cities to visit<br />
friends and meet trains. Heller was granted a<br />
State <strong>of</strong> California franchise for passenger service<br />
in 1945 between <strong>the</strong> two cities, thus setting up<br />
his Homer Heller Co. Stage Line (from station<br />
wagon to school bus to NCTD today).<br />
Heller remodeled <strong>the</strong> Grand Avenue<br />
storefront in 1946, and opened a full-service<br />
Texaco station at Grand and Kalmia Streets.<br />
Heller also built on Grand Avenue, <strong>the</strong> Patio<br />
Shops and two-story Arcade Building. The “mini<br />
malls” are still in use today.<br />
The dealership relocated to 400 West Grand<br />
Avenue at Freeway 395 in 1951. It brought<br />
visitors from throughout Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California to<br />
view <strong>the</strong> modern facility which served <strong>the</strong> North<br />
County for thirty years. An innovative “Jewel<br />
Box” featured <strong>the</strong> latest Ford model on its<br />
2 2 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
evolving turntable. During <strong>the</strong> holidays, <strong>the</strong><br />
building was crowned with a lighted, waving<br />
Santa and eight prancing reindeer.<br />
In 1959, <strong>the</strong> Heller family suffered <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong><br />
Homer Heller who was killed in a private<br />
airplane crash. Helen was in <strong>the</strong> unique position<br />
<strong>of</strong> possibly being <strong>the</strong> first woman to own a Ford<br />
dealership. After a hard-fought battle, she earned<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ford franchise in 1960. Son Don Heller<br />
joined <strong>the</strong> business that year as assistant general<br />
manager and became general manager in 1969.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> early 1970s, Don was eager to move<br />
<strong>the</strong> city’s economy forward. He played a key role<br />
in <strong>the</strong> ten-year planning to establish <strong>the</strong> new<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Auto Park in which Heller Ford was<br />
<strong>the</strong> first to open on January 7, 1983. Don added<br />
a Suzuki franchise in 1985 and replaced it with<br />
a Hyundai franchise in 1987. Don’s son, DJ<br />
Heller, joined <strong>the</strong> dealership sales team in 1991<br />
and worked his way to become general manager<br />
<strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong> Ford and Hyundai franchises. The<br />
Hyundai store was <strong>the</strong> highest volume franchise<br />
in San Diego County under DJ’s leadership.<br />
The Hellers’ opportunities for community<br />
service began in 1941 when Homer became <strong>the</strong><br />
fundraising co-chairman to build <strong>Escondido</strong> a<br />
new, modern hospital. In 1950, <strong>the</strong> thirtyseven-bed<br />
Palomar Memorial Hospital on East<br />
Grand Avenue was dedicated to World War II<br />
Veterans. Helen, a charter member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> PMH<br />
Auxiliary, managed <strong>the</strong> gift shop which opened<br />
in 1960. It was named “Helen Heller Gift Shop”<br />
in 2002 to honor her 43 service years and<br />
75,000 volunteer hours.<br />
The Hellers served on boards <strong>of</strong> directors for<br />
many <strong>Escondido</strong> organizations including<br />
Elementary School Board, Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce,<br />
Planning Commission, <strong>Escondido</strong> Auto Park,<br />
<strong>History</strong> Center and its Endowment Foundation,<br />
Girls Club, Girls S<strong>of</strong>tball and its Kit Carson Park<br />
Field Development. Sponsorships were given for<br />
Girls and Women’s S<strong>of</strong>tball, American Legion<br />
Baseball, Boys and Girls Club activities. Heller<br />
Ford loaned used cars to <strong>Escondido</strong> Police<br />
Department for surveillance work, donated autos<br />
to <strong>Escondido</strong> High School for Drivers Education,<br />
and participated with cars and floats in <strong>the</strong> Grape<br />
Day Parades.<br />
Retired from <strong>the</strong> auto industry since 2013, <strong>the</strong><br />
Hellers are thankful for <strong>the</strong>ir loyal customers,<br />
excellent employees and wonderful friends who<br />
have supported <strong>the</strong>m throughout <strong>the</strong> years.<br />
G<br />
Above: The Heller Ford “Jewel Box” at<br />
400 West Grand Avnue topped with<br />
Santa Claus and reindeer in<br />
December 1951.<br />
Below: The Heller family, c. 1991.<br />
Shown are (from left to right) DJ<br />
Heller, general manager; Don Heller,<br />
president; Marilyn Heller Keast,<br />
secretary; and Mrs. Helen Heller,<br />
Founder. Helen passed away in 2006<br />
and Don passed away on February<br />
24, 2020, just eleven days after his<br />
eightieth birthday..<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 2 1
CHICK EMBRY<br />
Robert Dale Embrey was born July 21, 1927,<br />
to parents Howard and Edna Embrey on a farm<br />
near Hawley, in Northwest Oklahoma. Taking<br />
<strong>the</strong> advice <strong>of</strong> a relative, <strong>the</strong>y decided to move to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1936. Loading up as much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
belongings as possible in <strong>the</strong>ir 1930 Dodge<br />
Sedan (it had big trunk on <strong>the</strong> back), <strong>the</strong>y<br />
arrived in <strong>Escondido</strong> just in time for <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> new school year. Chick’s fa<strong>the</strong>r leased a<br />
service station and home on Old Highway 395<br />
(now West Mission and <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> Superior<br />
Ready Mix) and <strong>the</strong> family made <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir permanent residency.<br />
His older bro<strong>the</strong>r Leland attended Oceanside<br />
Junior College, now Mira Costa; his sister<br />
Virginia enrolled as a freshman at EUHS; and<br />
Robert would start <strong>the</strong> fourth grade at Central<br />
School. It was at Central School that he would<br />
acquire <strong>the</strong> nickname “Chick” because a<br />
classmate thought he looked like his bro<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Chick Broerman, <strong>the</strong> original owner <strong>of</strong> Frazee<br />
Paints. Leland, now deceased, would end up<br />
being <strong>the</strong> manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Francisco<br />
Social Security Office. Virginia graduated from<br />
Biola College and UCLA, and would spend<br />
sixty-five years with Wycliffe Bible Translators,<br />
living with <strong>the</strong> Zapotec tribe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Isthmus<br />
helping translate <strong>the</strong> New Testament into<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir native tongue. At age ninet-six, she is<br />
currently living near Tucson, Arizona, in an<br />
assisted living home.<br />
Athletics would become a major part <strong>of</strong> his<br />
career for <strong>the</strong> next forty-seven years. At<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> High School, Chick played football<br />
for four years and was captain his senior year,<br />
and named to <strong>the</strong> Helms Athletic Foundation’s<br />
All Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California Second Team in 1944.<br />
He also lettered in basketball and track. Fellow<br />
students elected him as ASB president his senior<br />
year (1944-1945).<br />
Immediately after graduating from EUHS in<br />
1945 he joined <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy and was stationed<br />
at <strong>the</strong> San Diego Naval Training Center until <strong>the</strong><br />
end <strong>of</strong> World War II. Discharged in September<br />
1946, he enrolled at Fullerton Junior College,<br />
where he played football and basketball<br />
(captain), and was ASB president in 1947. More<br />
importantly, that was where he met his wife<br />
Ann. They celebrated <strong>the</strong>ir seventy-first year<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r on August 14, 2019. In 1948, he<br />
transferred to San Diego State University where<br />
Chick played football for three years, making<br />
first team CCAA defensive back in 1950.<br />
Upon completing his teaching credential in<br />
1952, he became <strong>the</strong> 7th and 8th grade P.E.<br />
teacher at Central School. When an opening<br />
became available at <strong>Escondido</strong> High School, he<br />
took over <strong>the</strong> Varsity reins in 1956. He led <strong>the</strong><br />
Cougars for twenty-two years, before handing<br />
<strong>the</strong> head job over to his longtime assistant<br />
Denny Snyder. During his 22 years as varsity<br />
head coach, his Cougar teams won 144 games.<br />
His teams had 9 seasons in which <strong>the</strong>y won 8 or<br />
more games, and 5 seasons where <strong>the</strong>y lost only<br />
one game. All those wins amounted to a .682<br />
winning percentage. With this winning pattern,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Cougars won or shared <strong>the</strong> Avocado title<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Metropolitan League titles 10 times, and<br />
reached <strong>the</strong> semifinals <strong>of</strong> CIF 9 times. They won<br />
three CIF titles, <strong>the</strong> last being shared with San<br />
Diego High School in 1969.<br />
Robert “Chick” Embrey is quite modest<br />
regarding <strong>Escondido</strong> High School’s Chick<br />
Embrey Field at Wilson Stadium, mostly<br />
attributing his namesake to having just been<br />
around for such a long time. However, it is<br />
not for nothing that a person’s name is<br />
emblazoned on a local landmark, and indeed<br />
Chick has long been a beloved member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
community. While winning football games was<br />
important to Chick Embrey, being a coach was<br />
much, much more. Coach Embrey’s real<br />
greatness is <strong>the</strong> esteem shared by players, fellow<br />
coaches and all those who have come in contact<br />
with him.<br />
Following his example, many <strong>of</strong> his former<br />
players became coaches or were involved in <strong>the</strong><br />
field <strong>of</strong> education. Coach Embrey set <strong>the</strong><br />
example for developing lasting relationships,<br />
building character and genuinely caring for<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs in all aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir lives. Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
lasting relationships were developed during <strong>the</strong><br />
pre-season when <strong>the</strong> Cougar coaches would<br />
organize a five day trip to <strong>the</strong> High Sierras.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team members would pile into an<br />
Emmanuel Faith Community Church bus,<br />
guitars in tow, and travel to <strong>the</strong> High Sierras.<br />
Backpacking into <strong>the</strong> Mammoth Lakes<br />
wilderness, <strong>the</strong> camaraderie developed during<br />
<strong>the</strong> few days spent toge<strong>the</strong>r hiking and fishing<br />
proved invaluable. In addition, <strong>the</strong> evenings<br />
around <strong>the</strong> campfire singing with guitars and<br />
2 2 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
ending up with a Bible study for all who wanted<br />
to attend, paid lasting dividends on and <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
football field. Today, many former players make<br />
<strong>the</strong> same journey with <strong>the</strong>ir own families.<br />
Chick maintains close ties with many former<br />
players who have kept in touch with him well<br />
into adulthood. Many <strong>of</strong> his former players and<br />
coaches are members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cougar Alumni<br />
Athletic Club. Besides having many outstanding<br />
speakers every quarter, <strong>the</strong> club raises<br />
scholarships for soon-to-be graduates <strong>of</strong> EUHS<br />
who wish to pursue higher education. With <strong>the</strong><br />
help <strong>of</strong> Bob and Marion Wilson, a permanent<br />
endowment fund has been established, with<br />
scholarships given to four outstanding athletic<br />
and academic students each year.<br />
Chick’s coaching ability extends to much <strong>of</strong><br />
his family. He and Ann raised three sons, Bobby<br />
(deceased) (wife Ruth Ann), Mark (wife Patti),<br />
and Danny (wife Kathy), all <strong>of</strong> whom were<br />
outstanding athletes at <strong>Escondido</strong> High School<br />
and had successful years in coaching. Chick and<br />
Ann also have nine grandchildren, many <strong>of</strong><br />
whom are involved in teaching and coaching.<br />
They also lay claim to fourteen great<br />
grandchildren in <strong>the</strong>ir family tree.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 2 3
THE<br />
VON SEGGERN<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Above: The J. H. von Seggern Family,<br />
1910. Seated (from left to right):<br />
Ernest 5, Elise 39, Henry 8, and J. H.<br />
52. Standing (from left to right):<br />
Albert 12, Otto 16, and Anna, 13.<br />
Below: The ranch in 1946. The dotted<br />
line marks <strong>the</strong> ranch’s boundaries. A<br />
is <strong>the</strong> barns and <strong>the</strong> house, B is North<br />
Broadway. C is Iris Lane. D is Rincon<br />
Avenue. E is North Broadway to<br />
Reidy Canyon. F is Jesmond Dene<br />
Road. G is <strong>the</strong> First Barrel <strong>of</strong> San<br />
Diego Aqueduct that was under<br />
construction. H is North Avenue. I is<br />
is Conway Drive.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> pioneer Johann Hinrich “J. H.” von<br />
Seggern arrived in New York in 1881 from <strong>the</strong><br />
family home, Hedenkamp, at Bookholzberg,<br />
Oldenberg, Germany. He visited relatives in<br />
Nebraska, <strong>the</strong>n went to Pecos, Texas, working as<br />
a cowboy. His oldest son, Otto, later recalled that<br />
his fa<strong>the</strong>r didn’t like <strong>the</strong> “Six Shooter,” but<br />
preferred a rifle. A relative, Bernhard Friedrich<br />
“B. F.” von Seggern, who had been wounded in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Franco-Prussian War, sought <strong>the</strong> healthful,<br />
dry California climate. The two cousins joined up<br />
in San Diego, outfitted a heavy wagon, and<br />
looked for land to farm. In 1884, B. F. purchased<br />
from John Hicks land and a house in Bear <strong>Valley</strong>,<br />
east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>. In 1894, B. F. sold this farm to<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Irrigation District when <strong>the</strong>y built<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bear <strong>Valley</strong> Dam (now Lake Wohlford). O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
property which B. F. owned to <strong>the</strong> north <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
lake was transferred to J. H. in 1900; in 2018 it is<br />
still family-owned. By 1910, B. F. had returned to<br />
Germany. J. H. became a U.S. citizen in 1898.<br />
J. H. (1858-1922) married Elise Albers (1871-<br />
1936) in Nebraska in 1893. Her family<br />
immigrated from Sandhatten, Oldenburg,<br />
Germany, to Nebraska in 1885. J. H. and Elise had<br />
five children and established a ranch and dairy in<br />
Bear <strong>Valley</strong> east <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Reservoir, on<br />
116 acres bought from Samuel Striplin in 1898.<br />
Their children were Otto (1894-1992), Anna<br />
(1897-1986), Albert (1898-1980), Henry (1902-<br />
1978), and Ernest (1905-1991).<br />
Otto, a civil engineer, married June Sweet in<br />
1923. Anna married John Engel in 1933. He<br />
owned groves, Engel Aircraft Specialties, and an<br />
airport, whose hangar is still in use at <strong>the</strong> J&W<br />
Lumber Co. Anna became an attorney in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and later partnered with builders<br />
Chamberlain & McCurdy to build <strong>the</strong> industrial<br />
area on property she owned. Dairyman Albert<br />
did not marry. Henry, a mechanical engineer<br />
and dairyman, married Los Angeles teacher<br />
Blanche Dessery (1914-2014) in 1945. Ernest, a<br />
mechanical engineer in Burbank, married Helen<br />
2 2 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Millard in 1943; she had been a teacher at<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> High School.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Mutual Water Co. raised<br />
<strong>the</strong> dam in Bear <strong>Valley</strong>, causing flooding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
family land, it purchased <strong>the</strong> property in 1928.<br />
The dairy and ranching operations moved in<br />
1929 to two hundred acres north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
along Lime Street (later North Broadway), and<br />
located between Rincon and North Avenue and<br />
along Jesmond Dene Road. The location, on <strong>the</strong><br />
north end <strong>of</strong> Mexican Land Grant “Rancho Rincon<br />
Del Diablo,” was <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wolfskill ranch<br />
headquarters, where <strong>the</strong> first wood-framed house<br />
in <strong>the</strong> valley stood. The ranch was also <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> one-room Rincon School, at Lime Street and<br />
Jesmond Dene Road. The entire ranch was made<br />
up <strong>of</strong> smaller parcels previously owned by<br />
Cassou, Lyon, Schunemann, and Dunn. Albert<br />
and Henry formed a good partnership in <strong>the</strong> dairy,<br />
with Albert being <strong>the</strong> “animal and crop” person,<br />
and Henry <strong>the</strong> “vehicle and machinery” person.<br />
Technology changed frequently on <strong>the</strong> ranch.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> Henry’s many photographs is captioned:<br />
“Power On, Dec 19, 1931, at 5 pm.” This ushered<br />
in a major change from gas engines powering<br />
water pumps and lighting to electricity driving<br />
milking machines and vacuum pumps, making<br />
milk cooling easier and more dependable. In<br />
1950, a tanker truck began hauling milk that had<br />
previously moved in ten gallon cans. Horses,<br />
rakes, and hay stackers gave way to tractors and<br />
automatic hay balers. Milk contracts changed from<br />
local creameries, to Qualitee, <strong>the</strong>n Carnation.<br />
The ranch lands, now known as Reidy Creek<br />
& Brookside Estates, were sold in 1977.<br />
Henry and Blanche raised two children on<br />
<strong>the</strong> ranch: Carl, interested in mechanics,<br />
construction, and real estate, lives in <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
and is married to Ju lia Greeley, R.N.; and Ellen, a<br />
Smithsonian Institution researcher, is married to<br />
Jan Paul Richter, aerospace and intelligence<br />
analyst, and lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Carl<br />
and Julia have two sons: Erik, who runs an<br />
internet truck parts business in <strong>Escondido</strong>; and<br />
Kurt, an airline pilot and lives in Texas. Kurt<br />
married Amy McNerney, R.N., and <strong>the</strong>y have two<br />
children: Kaylee and Isaak.<br />
G<br />
Above: Cows grazing in <strong>the</strong> late<br />
1940s. This view looks north across<br />
<strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ranch. The Wolfskill<br />
house was near <strong>the</strong> large barn, seen<br />
near <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> photo.<br />
Below: Carl von Seggern, standing by<br />
a corn binder being driven by his<br />
uncle, Albert, 1950.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 2 5
NERI HOXSIE<br />
G<br />
Right: Neri Taylor Hoxsie, Jr., with his<br />
Dodge stage on Grand Avenue in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, 1918. Behind him are<br />
<strong>the</strong> Palace Hotel, where he had his<br />
stage <strong>of</strong>fice, Pioneer Meat Market and<br />
just beyond <strong>the</strong> parked car Young’s<br />
Music Store.<br />
Neri Taylor Hoxsie, Jr., nicknamed “Nein,”<br />
came to <strong>Escondido</strong> with his widowed mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Elza, and bro<strong>the</strong>rs Ray, Orton, Floyd, and Percy<br />
in 1893.<br />
All worked for <strong>the</strong> railroads but, Neri, after<br />
working many o<strong>the</strong>r jobs, was more interested<br />
in automobiles. He became a driver for <strong>the</strong> auto<br />
stage lines that connected <strong>Escondido</strong> with San<br />
Diego, Oceanside, and Los Angeles. The auto<br />
stages transported travelers, but also<br />
newspapers and mail between <strong>the</strong> cities.<br />
In January 1916, Neri was an operator for <strong>the</strong><br />
Scenic Stage Line. The favored route to San<br />
Diego went south across <strong>the</strong> San Dieguito River<br />
bridge at Bernardo, on to Poway, up <strong>the</strong> Poway<br />
Grade with its hairpin curves, across Miramar<br />
mesa, down Murphy Canyon, across <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Diego River bridge, up <strong>the</strong> opposite canyon<br />
(now Texas Street), taking University Avenue to<br />
Hillcrest and down Fifth Avenue to downtown.<br />
But, that January, <strong>the</strong> great “Hatfield” rains<br />
fell from January 14-19 and from January 24-<br />
28, totaling 19.55 inches for <strong>the</strong> month. The<br />
deluge washed out roads and railroads. At <strong>the</strong><br />
time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second downpour, Neri was<br />
stranded in San Diego with his auto stage and<br />
two sacks <strong>of</strong> mail and newspapers.<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> merchants worried that business<br />
would suffer with no mail service. The flooding<br />
washed out every bridge in <strong>the</strong> county except<br />
<strong>the</strong> one between Ocean Beach and Mission<br />
Beach. On January 29, in his effort to get <strong>the</strong><br />
mail to <strong>Escondido</strong>, Neri took <strong>the</strong> only possible<br />
route through Ocean Beach to La Jolla, across<br />
Miramar to Poway and on to Bernardo, where<br />
he waded across <strong>the</strong> river with <strong>the</strong> sacks <strong>of</strong> mail<br />
on his back.<br />
The <strong>Escondido</strong> newspaper hailed his resolve:<br />
“Hoxsie first man from San Diego. Plucky stage<br />
driver came through Sunday after a two days’<br />
trip…his trip from San Diego was one <strong>of</strong><br />
hardship and hard work.” He got <strong>the</strong> mail<br />
through and was <strong>the</strong> hero <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hour at a mass<br />
community meeting that afternoon.<br />
Opposite, top: The remains <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Bernardo bridge on February 4,<br />
1916, at <strong>the</strong> San Dieguito River<br />
crossing. The town <strong>of</strong> Bernardo is<br />
in <strong>the</strong> background.<br />
Opposite, bottom: Neri Hoxsie fording<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bernardo River, February 4, 1916.<br />
Neri Hoxsie is piloting <strong>the</strong> lead car, a<br />
Dodge, followed by a Ford as <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
towed by Mr. Weaver and his team<br />
across <strong>the</strong> river.<br />
2 2 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
G<br />
This is a sample caption.<br />
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F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 2 7
THE LUSARDI<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Left: Francesco Lusardi.<br />
Right: Marguerite Lusardi.<br />
Francesco Lusardi set out for San Diego from<br />
his home in Parma, Italy, around 1869. After<br />
crossing <strong>the</strong> Atlantic, he worked his way to<br />
California, probably buying passage by rail or<br />
wagon train in bits at a time. When he arrived<br />
in 1873, he reunited with his bro<strong>the</strong>r, Pietro,<br />
who had emigrated a few years earlier. The two<br />
began acquiring land and herding sheep<br />
between <strong>the</strong> Black Mountain area and <strong>the</strong> lower<br />
slopes <strong>of</strong> Palomar Mountain.<br />
In 1880, Francesco returned to Italy, where<br />
he married Marguerite Bernieri. Two years later,<br />
<strong>the</strong> newlyweds were back on Palomar<br />
Mountain, where <strong>the</strong>y welcomed <strong>the</strong>ir first <strong>of</strong><br />
eleven children, Henry Lusardi. After several<br />
years, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs ended <strong>the</strong>ir thriving<br />
sheepherding business and turned to dry<br />
farming in Black Mountain, where <strong>the</strong>y<br />
prospered, establishing a school and post <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
in what became known as Lusardi District<br />
(present-day Fairbanks Ranch). Francesco and<br />
Marguerite added six children to <strong>the</strong>ir family<br />
during <strong>the</strong> eight years that followed: Josephine,<br />
Camille, Louis, Rachel, Mary, and Frank.<br />
The Lusardis lived in a small adobe house<br />
where, along with farming, <strong>the</strong>y raised sheep,<br />
pigs, chickens, turkeys, horses, and cows.<br />
They did <strong>the</strong>ir own butchering and preserved<br />
<strong>the</strong> beef by dehydration. Religion also played<br />
an important role in <strong>the</strong> family’s life. Though<br />
<strong>the</strong> journey was long, <strong>the</strong> family <strong>of</strong>ten made <strong>the</strong><br />
trek from Lusardi District north to <strong>the</strong> San Luis<br />
Rey Mission in present-day Oceanside, where<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir children were baptized and received <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
first communion.<br />
In 1895, Francesco sold his interest in<br />
Lusardi District and moved his family to Aliso<br />
Canyon in <strong>Escondido</strong>, where <strong>the</strong>y raised cattle,<br />
made homemade wine, and added four more<br />
children to <strong>the</strong> family: John, Peter, Julia, and<br />
August. Camille remembered that she and Louis<br />
would walk <strong>the</strong> mountains barefoot each<br />
evenings to round up <strong>the</strong> cattle—dodging<br />
rattlesnakes and coyotes as <strong>the</strong>y went.<br />
All <strong>the</strong> Lusardi children learned early in life<br />
how to work. Henry quit school at age 15 and<br />
became lead butcher for Louis Cassou in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lusardi sons left home<br />
to find work in <strong>the</strong>ir teens; <strong>the</strong> daughters<br />
likewise supported <strong>the</strong>mselves before marrying<br />
and raising <strong>the</strong>ir own families. Even when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
had <strong>the</strong>ir own young families to attend to, <strong>the</strong><br />
siblings continued to look out for one ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
In 1911, <strong>the</strong> Lusardis’ second son, Louis, was<br />
in a runaway horse-and-buggy accident at <strong>the</strong> age<br />
<strong>of</strong> 20. He survived, but his legs were badly<br />
injured and he suffered some paralysis. He spent<br />
<strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> his life on crutches and in chronic<br />
pain, but supported himself in a variety <strong>of</strong><br />
businesses, making doll furniture, raising bees<br />
and fishing worms, and sharpening lawn<br />
mowers. He was well-respected among his<br />
2 2 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
G<br />
Above: The Lusardi family’s<br />
adobe house.<br />
Left: The Francesco and Marguerite<br />
Lusardi family, c. 1913.<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters and became a voice <strong>of</strong><br />
wisdom in <strong>the</strong> family, especially after his fa<strong>the</strong>r’s<br />
death in 1915.<br />
When Francesco died, Marguerite and her<br />
unmarried children moved to <strong>Escondido</strong> to be<br />
nearer her sons Frank, Louis, and John. Frank<br />
went to Europe and fought in <strong>the</strong> expeditionary<br />
force in WWI. When he returned, he worked for<br />
Webb Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Trucking and Equipment<br />
Company. John and Peter became carpenters, and<br />
Peter went on to co-found Lusardi Construction<br />
Company with his son, Warner. It became one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> largest building contractors in San Diego<br />
County. Marguerite passed away on July 29,<br />
1933, in <strong>Escondido</strong>, California, and is buried<br />
next to Francesco at Mission San Luis Rey.<br />
The legacy <strong>of</strong> Francesco and Marguerite<br />
Lusardi is one <strong>of</strong> strong moral values that<br />
distilled through <strong>the</strong>ir children in <strong>the</strong> form<br />
<strong>of</strong> hard work, good heartedness, and integrity.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir grandchildren and great<br />
grandchildren—including Jack Riedel, Leroy<br />
Lash, Jim Lusardi, and Margaret Eggleton, to<br />
name a few—attended <strong>Escondido</strong> schools<br />
and went on to raise <strong>the</strong>ir own families in<br />
<strong>the</strong> city. By living honorable lives, <strong>the</strong>y and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
children helped shape <strong>the</strong> present and future<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 2 9
THE HUMPHREY<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Right: Graham at <strong>the</strong> wheel <strong>of</strong> his<br />
roadster with Elsie and his dog, Zan,<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r friends and family<br />
members, c.. 1919.<br />
Below: Graham Humphrey (left) with<br />
unidentified workers preparing<br />
heating pipes for delivery, c. <strong>the</strong><br />
late 1930s.<br />
Opposite, top: Graham Humphrey<br />
(right) with unidentified worker ready<br />
to deliver two ‘Craftbuilt” furnaces<br />
from shop at 120 West Ohio Ave. to<br />
Camp Elliot, c. 1942.<br />
Opposite, bottom: Elsie and Graham<br />
taken from north side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir home at<br />
820 East Third Avenue, May 1979.<br />
The Humphrey family has enjoyed a colorful<br />
history in <strong>Escondido</strong>. William and Gertrude<br />
Humphrey moved from Orange, California to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1911. They had five children—<br />
daughters Pearl, Edith and Grace, along with<br />
sons Norman and Graham. The Humphreys<br />
purchased land for a lemon grove at <strong>the</strong> east end<br />
<strong>of</strong> Birch Avenue in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Graham Humphrey, who was born in 1893,<br />
did not serve in World War I as he had<br />
a deferment because he drove a milk truck<br />
for Webb Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Dairy from San Pasqual<br />
to San Diego. However, he did report for duty<br />
on November 11, 1918, but was sent home<br />
without serving.<br />
Graham’s wife, Elsie Mary Robson, was<br />
born in 1896 in Geneva, Minnesota. She moved<br />
with her family, including bro<strong>the</strong>r Harvey<br />
John and sister Anna Geneva, to <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
in 1913. The John Thomas Robson family<br />
lived at 820 East Fifth Ave. The street name was<br />
later changed to East Third Ave. That included<br />
most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> property between Date and Elm<br />
Streets and Second and Fourth Avenues. The<br />
land was used for farming with crops such as<br />
wheat, oats and alfalfa. It also included a<br />
chicken ranch.<br />
Graham and Elsie met at a Methodist Church<br />
Epworth League meeting in <strong>Escondido</strong>. They<br />
were introduced by Graham’s bro<strong>the</strong>r, Norman,<br />
and married in 1919 in <strong>the</strong> Robson home.<br />
Graham and Elsie raised four children—Harriet,<br />
Mary Anna, Graham, Jr., and Tom – all <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
graduated from <strong>Escondido</strong> High School, where<br />
<strong>the</strong>y shared some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same teachers.<br />
Graham and Elsie were active in <strong>the</strong><br />
community. Graham was a Kiwanian for thirtyfive<br />
years while both were California Farm<br />
Bureau members.<br />
In 1927, Graham and Elsie, along with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
young daughters, moved into <strong>the</strong>ir long-time<br />
residence at 820 East Third Avenue where <strong>the</strong>y<br />
lived until Elsie’s death in 1981. They were<br />
married for 62 years and resided in <strong>the</strong>ir home<br />
on Third Avenue for 54 years. Graham passed<br />
away in 1985.<br />
2 3 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Interestingly, that house was physically<br />
transported via truck to 1130 South Juniper<br />
Street in <strong>the</strong> late 1980s.<br />
“We took quite a circuitous route to avoid<br />
power lines,” said Tom Humphrey, son <strong>of</strong><br />
Graham and Elsie. “The location on Juniper<br />
Street was only about a mile away, but <strong>the</strong> trip<br />
took nearly three hours to complete.”<br />
Tom and his sister, Harriet, developed <strong>the</strong><br />
land on East Third Avenue to convert into<br />
condominiums, which prompted <strong>the</strong> physical<br />
move <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house.<br />
Graham founded <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Sheet Metal<br />
Works in <strong>the</strong> late 1920s, establishing <strong>the</strong><br />
business at 120 West Ohio where <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
City Hall is now located. The floor <strong>of</strong> this<br />
building was briefly flooded in 1931 when <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Creek overflowed.<br />
While building his business over thirty years,<br />
Graham became involved in numerous civic<br />
activities. He served as a volunteer fireman for<br />
many years. In 1927, <strong>the</strong>se courageous<br />
volunteers fought to save <strong>the</strong> old high school at<br />
Fourth and Hickory during a blaze. Graham’s<br />
efforts helped save school furniture while Elsie<br />
helplessly watched <strong>the</strong> flames from <strong>the</strong>ir home<br />
just three blocks away. An iconic photograph <strong>of</strong><br />
Graham and his colleagues is displayed in <strong>the</strong><br />
city’s Fire Department Museum on Quince Street.<br />
Graham was elected to <strong>Escondido</strong> city<br />
council in <strong>the</strong> 1930s where he served several<br />
years, including a two-year term as mayor pro<br />
tem. The plunge at Grape Day Park was built<br />
during this period. That is approximately where<br />
<strong>the</strong> current railroad station is located.<br />
Meanwhile, Elsie graduated from <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
High School in 1915 and always enjoyed <strong>the</strong><br />
50+ ga<strong>the</strong>rings when she became eligible. She<br />
was a loving, caring mo<strong>the</strong>r, who immersed<br />
herself in her children’s school activities. She<br />
volunteered as a pink lady at Palomar Hospital,<br />
at her church and assisted in various civic<br />
efforts, including <strong>the</strong> Red Cross during World<br />
War II.<br />
Graham and Elsie had eleven grandchildren.<br />
Harriet and husband, Roy Schulbach, had four<br />
children. Mary Anna and husband, Joe Pauletto,<br />
had five. and Tom and wife Sue had two. Tom<br />
and Sue live in Vista, while Graham, Jr. lives in<br />
Edmonds, Washington. Harriet and Mary Anna<br />
and <strong>the</strong>ir husbands are deceased.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 3 1
THE BAKER<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Top: LeRoy Baker putting on climbing<br />
hooks, 1922.<br />
Middle: The original check written to<br />
purchase Dietrich Electric in 1938.<br />
Bottom: Neville Baker reviewing plans<br />
with Pat Davis and Zeke Schmidt.<br />
The Baker family has had a major impact on<br />
business and charitable activities in <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
since <strong>the</strong> late 1930s.<br />
It began when LeRoy and Constance<br />
Baker, moved from Missoula, Montana to<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California in 1937. LeRoy was an<br />
electrical engineer in search <strong>of</strong> warmer wea<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
and it didn’t hurt that Constance’s family lived<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
In 1938, LeRoy purchased Dietrich Electric<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> for $4,000. The new company<br />
was renamed <strong>Escondido</strong> Electric.<br />
Since <strong>the</strong>n, four generations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Baker<br />
family have been involved in <strong>the</strong> business,<br />
which was renamed Baker Electric in 1950. The<br />
company has evolved into a full service electrical<br />
and solar contractor, servicing clients<br />
throughout Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California, still based<br />
in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
LeRoy Baker led <strong>the</strong> company for <strong>the</strong> first<br />
decade before his son, Neville, took over <strong>the</strong><br />
business in 1947. Neville and his wife, Helen,<br />
had moved west from Louisiana in 1942 to<br />
become involved in <strong>the</strong> family business. In<br />
1953—after <strong>the</strong> passing <strong>of</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r—Neville<br />
became president <strong>of</strong> Baker Electric. He managed<br />
<strong>the</strong> business until he handed over <strong>the</strong><br />
reins to his son, Kent, in 1982.<br />
In 1964, Neville Baker along with four o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> businessmen formed <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
National Bank. In 1983, Neville merged Baker<br />
Electric, Knight Security, and San Diego Wood<br />
Preserving Company into Tri-Baker Holding<br />
Company. After Neville’s passing, his sons separated<br />
<strong>the</strong> companies. Kent took over Baker<br />
Electric while Jerry and Mark took over San<br />
Diego Wood Preserving Company, and its<br />
Mexican subsidiary, SANCO.<br />
Kent’s bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Jerry and Mark, along with<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir wives, are involved in different family<br />
businesses and countless charitable endeavors.<br />
Ted Baker, Kent’s son, started with Baker<br />
Electric in 1994 and became president in 2000.<br />
Today, Kent serves as chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board at<br />
Baker Electric and Mark serves as treasurer.<br />
Kent and Ted attribute much <strong>of</strong> Baker<br />
Electric’s success to <strong>the</strong> diversity, loyalty and<br />
stability <strong>of</strong> its employees. The average length <strong>of</strong><br />
time for an employee in a management role is<br />
fifteen years.<br />
“We are proud <strong>of</strong> our close-knit core group<br />
<strong>of</strong> employees who are dedicated to delivering<br />
successful projects from concept through completion,”<br />
said Ted Baker.<br />
Earning a reputation for excellence in<br />
workmanship, Baker Electric has successfully<br />
completed multi-million-dollar contracts for<br />
education, government, residential, commercial,<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r markets. The company has experience<br />
2 3 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
in all areas <strong>of</strong> commercial electrical and<br />
solar construction.<br />
Steady growth prompted <strong>the</strong> relocation to<br />
larger facilities. In 2006, <strong>the</strong> company moved<br />
into its fourth location in <strong>Escondido</strong>, an<br />
expanded facility at 1298 Pacific Oaks Place.<br />
Baker celebrated its eightieth anniversary in<br />
2018 and continues its path <strong>of</strong> diversification<br />
by adding commercial solar, utility scale solar,<br />
battery storage with two outlying <strong>of</strong>fices in<br />
Rancho Cucamonga, and <strong>the</strong> Cerritos/Los<br />
Angeles area.<br />
The Baker family’s community and charitable<br />
involvement is unparalleled. Among <strong>the</strong>ir many<br />
affiliations are <strong>the</strong> Boys & Girls Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center, Junior<br />
Achievement, TERI, The Jacobs & Cushman San<br />
Diego Food Bank, and <strong>the</strong> National Electrical<br />
Construction Association (NECA).<br />
Neville Baker was inducted as president <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> San Diego Chapter <strong>of</strong> NECA in 1961. He<br />
helped create Little League in <strong>Escondido</strong> and<br />
was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Boys Club <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong>, which in its current state is <strong>the</strong> Boys<br />
and Girls Club <strong>of</strong> Greater San Diego. Like his<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r before him Kent Baker is also active in<br />
NECA and was inducted president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NECA<br />
San Diego Chapter in 1983. Kent has also<br />
served on <strong>the</strong> board for many years.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> club’s branches carries <strong>the</strong> name<br />
<strong>of</strong> Neville and Helen Baker Family Branch,<br />
thanks to a large financial gift from <strong>the</strong>ir sons.<br />
The technology center at <strong>the</strong> main club also<br />
bears <strong>the</strong> Baker name. The club’s first recipient<br />
<strong>of</strong> a Silver Medallion awarded by <strong>the</strong> Boys &<br />
Girls Club <strong>of</strong> America, and is <strong>the</strong> highest honor<br />
for a local board member, was Mark Baker.<br />
In addition, Rotary, <strong>Escondido</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
Commerce, and California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts,<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> have benefited from <strong>the</strong> Baker family’s<br />
philosophy <strong>of</strong> giving back to <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
“We’ve been part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
community for more than eighty years,” said<br />
Kent Baker. “It is a vibrant, diverse community<br />
with just <strong>the</strong> right blend <strong>of</strong> small-town values<br />
and big-city amenities. We are delighted to<br />
support our community in various forms.”<br />
G<br />
Above: Four generations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Baker<br />
family have led Baker Electric.<br />
Below: Baker Electric is part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Life Changers Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Boys &<br />
Girls Clubs <strong>of</strong> Greater San Diego.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 3 3
THE ALTO<br />
FAMILY<br />
Raymond E. Alto was born 1952 in <strong>the</strong> City<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> to Raymond (Moonshine) and<br />
Barbara Bumgartner Alto. His Grandfa<strong>the</strong>r was<br />
Marcus (Hotrod) Alto and Grandmo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Nestora Atilano Alto. His parents both<br />
graduated from <strong>the</strong> Historic <strong>Escondido</strong> High<br />
School. His Grandfa<strong>the</strong>r Hotrod and his Great<br />
Uncle Max Atilano were prominent men within<br />
<strong>the</strong> Sunkist Packaging Company. His Fa<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Moonshine, Uncle Marcus Jr. and Benji all<br />
played on <strong>the</strong> Sunkist Packaging S<strong>of</strong>tball night<br />
league under <strong>the</strong> lights <strong>of</strong> Finney Field<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> 1950’s.<br />
Growing up in an impoverished family,<br />
Raymond went to work at <strong>the</strong> young age <strong>of</strong> ten.<br />
He had a paper route and started shining shoes<br />
on <strong>the</strong> streets <strong>of</strong> Grand Ave in <strong>Escondido</strong>. He<br />
would rouse business outside <strong>the</strong> Skippers Club,<br />
Honest Johns and The Metro, as well as <strong>the</strong><br />
barber shops. Juan’s, Joe Grace, and Arcade<br />
Barber with Wedekings Bakery next door. When<br />
he was old enough, his first hired job was at<br />
Lawrence Welk Resort. He met Mr. Welk a few<br />
times and exclaimed he was a very nice man. He<br />
worked at <strong>the</strong> Bumsteer, Obriens, Dantes, Quails<br />
Inn, and <strong>the</strong> Country Club. His first restaurant<br />
was purchased from Oscar Champion. He<br />
named it Raymond A’s Café. He went on to own<br />
9 more restaurants in <strong>Escondido</strong> including JKs in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Vineyard, Dante’s, The Historic Fireside,<br />
Jalapeno Grill and currently owns an <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
Landmark, La Tapatia.<br />
Raymond raised his family in <strong>Escondido</strong> with<br />
his adoring wife Arvid Castellanos Alto and his<br />
wonderful children Raymond Joseph,<br />
Dominique and Andre. His contribution to this<br />
community is commended and is acknowledged<br />
by <strong>the</strong> vast amount <strong>of</strong> patrons throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
years. He thanks everyone!<br />
2 3 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
The Kroesche family has been synonymous<br />
with <strong>Escondido</strong> since <strong>the</strong> mid-1960s. Eric and<br />
Judy Kroesche moved from Orange County to<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> in 1965 when Eric purchased Inland<br />
Oil Company, a petroleum distribution business,<br />
located on W. Mission Avenue.<br />
Eric began his career as a human resources<br />
manager and had worked at Disneyland in<br />
employee relations. He met Judy, an education<br />
major, at Occidental College in Los Angeles and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y’ve been toge<strong>the</strong>r ever since.<br />
“My fa<strong>the</strong>r-in-law encouraged me to start my<br />
own business,” said Eric. “He was a great mentor.<br />
So, I bought <strong>the</strong> business and it was definitely on<strong>the</strong>-job<br />
training.”<br />
Inland Oil Company was renamed SKS, Inc.<br />
after <strong>the</strong> purchase. The first “S” stood for Claud<br />
Sympson, Judy’s fa<strong>the</strong>r, who was a silent partner<br />
and mentor. During his career, Claud had been a<br />
national beverage executive. The “K” stood for<br />
Kroesche while <strong>the</strong> second “S” stood for John<br />
Slack, an initial partner in <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
Eric expanded <strong>the</strong> business over <strong>the</strong> years and,<br />
at one time, SKS, Inc. had fourteen automated<br />
service stations (Exxon Mobil and a Valvoline<br />
distributor) in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California, including San<br />
Diego, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles,<br />
and Ventura Counties. Over <strong>the</strong> years, SKS, Inc.<br />
bought several o<strong>the</strong>r companies, including San<br />
Diego Petroleum and Neptune Oil Company. At its<br />
peak, SKS, Inc. had eighty-five employees.<br />
Judy served as secretary on <strong>the</strong> board directors<br />
while two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir three children—Kitty and John<br />
—worked in <strong>the</strong> business. In 2015, after fifty years<br />
<strong>of</strong> ownership, <strong>the</strong> Kroesche family sold <strong>the</strong><br />
business to Flyers Energy <strong>of</strong> Auburn, California.<br />
Son John was involved in <strong>the</strong> sale and is still<br />
involved with <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
Eric and Judy, who now reside in Coronado,<br />
treasured <strong>the</strong>ir many years in <strong>Escondido</strong>. In fact,<br />
Eric still maintains an <strong>of</strong>fice in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
“It is <strong>the</strong> perfect little community,” said Judy.<br />
“Initially, we thought <strong>the</strong> business was in<br />
Encinitas. We thought it was on <strong>the</strong> coast.”<br />
They soon discovered that about seventy<br />
percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir sales were farm sales. All <strong>the</strong> big<br />
growers became <strong>the</strong>ir customers.<br />
“For more than fifty years, we handled all <strong>the</strong><br />
big names in farming in <strong>the</strong> area,” said Eric. “Of all<br />
<strong>the</strong> trade associations we were involved with over<br />
<strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong> San Diego Farm Bureau was <strong>the</strong> best.”<br />
During his many decades in <strong>the</strong> industry, Eric<br />
was heavily involved with trade associations. He<br />
served as president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Petroleum Marketers <strong>of</strong><br />
America and as a board member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Diego<br />
Farm Bureau.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> 1970s, Eric joined North County Bank<br />
during which he served as chairman for more than<br />
twenty years. He continued his community<br />
involvement by serving as president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce and in a similar<br />
capacity with <strong>the</strong> Kiwanis Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Eric’s approach to business included adopting<br />
many adages over his career. Two <strong>of</strong> his favorites<br />
are: “You don’t have to go to every fight to which<br />
you’re invited,” and “If you destroy one’s dignity,<br />
you have an enemy forever.”<br />
An avid outdoorsman, Eric has a family cattle<br />
ranch outside <strong>of</strong> Warner Springs and enjoys flyfishing<br />
and sailing.<br />
Meanwhile, Judy, who taught elementary school<br />
in Costa Mesa, has been active in charitable<br />
endeavors her entire life. She is past president <strong>of</strong><br />
Chapter B <strong>Escondido</strong> PEO. This international<br />
women’s organization is focused on providing<br />
educational opportunities for female students<br />
worldwide. She also served on <strong>the</strong> board for <strong>the</strong><br />
Palomar YMCA and has worked on numerous<br />
fundraising projects.<br />
In addition, Judy served as president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San<br />
Pasqual High School PTA in <strong>Escondido</strong>. Their<br />
three children—Kitty, John, and Suzy—are<br />
graduates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> school system.<br />
Eric and Judy hosted foreign exchange students<br />
from Luxembourg, Germany, and Norway, and<br />
SKS, Inc., employed interns from local high schools<br />
and from <strong>the</strong> families <strong>of</strong> business associates. Many<br />
became permanent employees <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company.<br />
The Kroesche family has certainly left an<br />
indelible mark in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
JUDY AND ERIC<br />
KROESCHE<br />
G<br />
Top: The Kroesche children (from left<br />
to right): John, Kitty, and Suzy at Kit<br />
Carson Park in 1976.<br />
Middle: Eric Kroesche at his <strong>of</strong>fice desk<br />
in <strong>the</strong> early 1970s.<br />
Bottom: Eric and Judy at country<br />
western party during twentieth<br />
anniversary party at SKS, Inc.,<br />
in 1985.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 3 5
THE HAWTHORNE<br />
FAMILY<br />
The Hawthornes have been in San Diego<br />
since 1956 and <strong>Escondido</strong> since 1962. The four<br />
Hawthorne bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Tom, Paul, Jack, and Gary,<br />
are in <strong>the</strong> construction equipment business and<br />
own Toolshed Equipment Rental, which <strong>the</strong>y<br />
founded in 2008.<br />
To say that heavy equipment is in <strong>the</strong><br />
Hawthorne bro<strong>the</strong>rs’ blood would be an<br />
understatement. Their fa<strong>the</strong>r, J. B. Hawthorne,<br />
founded L.A. Tractor in Los Angeles in 1947.<br />
Sensing <strong>the</strong> growth, <strong>the</strong> industry would see as a<br />
result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Federal Highway Act <strong>of</strong> 1956, he and<br />
his son Tom acquired <strong>the</strong> Caterpillar dealership<br />
for San Diego County. Hawthorne Machinery Co.<br />
would contribute to San Diego’s growth over <strong>the</strong><br />
next sixty years and continues today.<br />
Toolshed Equipment Rental is located on<br />
property that has been an equipment rental yard in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> since <strong>the</strong> late 1950s. For several<br />
decades, it was known as McArthur’s Rentals. Tom<br />
and Paul manage <strong>the</strong> financial and operations <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> business, Jack oversees equipment purchases<br />
and equipment service operations, and Gary is <strong>the</strong><br />
manager <strong>of</strong> sales and marketing. A thirdgeneration<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family has joined <strong>the</strong> company—<br />
J. Paul Hawthorne, is <strong>the</strong> marketing coordinator<br />
and fleet compliance manager.<br />
The Hawthorne’s have always believed in<br />
giving back to <strong>the</strong> community. Their charitable<br />
contributions over <strong>the</strong> years have helped local<br />
schools, sports, and non-pr<strong>of</strong>its throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> community.<br />
2 3 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
THE REDMOND<br />
FAMILY AND<br />
GOLFCRAFT<br />
G<br />
From top to bottom:<br />
Left: In <strong>the</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> 1952, Ed and<br />
Terese Redmond moved <strong>the</strong>ir family <strong>of</strong><br />
six children, ages 6 to 18 to <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
Ed was vice president <strong>of</strong> Golfcraft Inc.,<br />
which had moved its entire golf clubmanufacturing<br />
operation along with<br />
its employees and <strong>the</strong>ir families from<br />
Chicago, Illinois, to <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
California. Golfcraft was <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
employer in town.<br />
Right: Terese and Ed Redmond at Ed’s<br />
retirement dinner, 1969.<br />
Left: Ed and Terese with some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
children. From right to left: Ed, Tom,<br />
Terese, Sue, Edward, and Noreen<br />
(standing, back).<br />
Right: Nancy and Mary Redmond.<br />
Rick and Mary Hill’s wedding day,<br />
June 16, 1968. From left to right:<br />
Frank DeMartino, Noreen<br />
DeMartino, Tom Redmond, Karen<br />
Jobbett, Edward Redmond holding<br />
Kathy Klein, bride Mary Redmond<br />
Hill, groom Rick Hill, Terese<br />
Redmond, Sue Klein, Ed Redmond,<br />
John Klein holding Nick Klein, Nancy<br />
Lowrey, Jack Lowrey, children<br />
standing in front. Steve DeMartino,<br />
Pete Klein, Joy DeMartino, and<br />
Johnny Klein.<br />
Terese Redmond with her children on<br />
her eightieth birthday, November 18,<br />
1987. From left to right: Sue Klein,<br />
Edward Redmond, Terese, Noreen<br />
DeMartino, Nancy Lowrey, Tom<br />
Redmond, and Mary Hill.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 3 7
THE WITMAN<br />
RANCH<br />
G<br />
Three generations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Witman<br />
family (from left to right) Matt,<br />
Witman, Tom Witman (baby), and<br />
Bill Witman, c. 1992.<br />
The Witman Family began farming in San<br />
Diego County in <strong>the</strong> 1920s when Harry Witman,<br />
<strong>the</strong>n ranch general manager for <strong>the</strong> Santa<br />
Margarita Ranch (present-day Camp Pendleton)<br />
oversaw <strong>the</strong> ranch’s vast cattle operation. In <strong>the</strong><br />
1940s, Harry Witman planted an eighty-acre<br />
lemon grove on some land that he leased from <strong>the</strong><br />
U.S. Marine Corps. It was <strong>the</strong>n that Harry’s son<br />
Bill Witman left <strong>the</strong> army to begin his farming<br />
career. After a few years working on <strong>the</strong> lemon<br />
grove he began vegetable farming in <strong>the</strong> San Luis<br />
Rey <strong>Valley</strong>. Sweet potatoes was <strong>the</strong> primary crop<br />
but broccoli and cauliflower were also grown.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> mid-1960s in a desire to diversify, Bill first<br />
came to <strong>the</strong> San Pasqual <strong>Valley</strong> and in 1966 planted<br />
a Valencia orange grove on land leased from <strong>the</strong><br />
City <strong>of</strong> San Diego. Shortly <strong>the</strong>reafter more and<br />
more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> farming was moved to San Pasqual<br />
from San Luis Rey until eventually that part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
operation ceased. In 1983 Matt Witman, Bill’s son,<br />
joined <strong>the</strong> business. Continuing <strong>the</strong>ir belief in<br />
diversification, <strong>the</strong>y began to grow flower bulbs,<br />
sweet corn, peppers, watermelon, turf, avocados,<br />
and all types <strong>of</strong> citrus crops. All <strong>of</strong> this was done in<br />
<strong>the</strong> San Pasqual <strong>Valley</strong> known for it’s rich soil and<br />
plentiful water. The Witman’s also have an avocado<br />
and citrus ranch in Ramona, farming exclusively<br />
with recycled water. Tom Witman, Matt’s son<br />
joined <strong>the</strong> operation in 2015. Toge<strong>the</strong>r, Matt and<br />
Tom will work to keep <strong>the</strong> family business thriving<br />
into <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
Throughout <strong>the</strong> four generations <strong>the</strong>re have<br />
been <strong>the</strong> heartache <strong>of</strong> frost, fires, floods, winds,<br />
and insect invasions. But <strong>the</strong>re have also been<br />
<strong>the</strong> joys <strong>of</strong> a life on <strong>the</strong> land surrounded by<br />
nature and wonderful people. If you asked any<br />
<strong>of</strong> us, we would say that we wouldn’t have<br />
wanted it any o<strong>the</strong>r way.<br />
2 3 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Frank attended Stanford University, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
labored in a “Bull Gang” in <strong>the</strong> Salt Creek Field,<br />
Wyoming. He subsequently worked his way up<br />
to become president <strong>of</strong> Standard Oil <strong>of</strong> Indiana.<br />
William also attended Stanford and worked<br />
as a corporate lawyer.<br />
John Sr. inherited <strong>the</strong> Prior Ranch. He<br />
planted <strong>the</strong> first avocado tree in San Diego<br />
County and developed a strain <strong>of</strong> short-thorn<br />
lemon trees known as Prior Lisbon. He married<br />
Louise Crenshaw <strong>of</strong> Kentucky.<br />
Their daughter, Mabel Louise, married Roy<br />
Riffle and <strong>the</strong>y had three children—Mike, John,<br />
and Ka<strong>the</strong>rine—all <strong>of</strong> whom stayed in<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> and inhabited <strong>the</strong> house as <strong>the</strong><br />
generations passed on.<br />
Their son, John Jr., married Georgia Hillebrecht,<br />
whose family were also farmers in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong><br />
area. Their children, Greg and Caro, also spent<br />
most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir adult years in <strong>Escondido</strong>.<br />
THE PRIOR<br />
FAMILY<br />
G<br />
Left: Laetitia Miller Wistar, born<br />
in 1870.<br />
Below: Palm drive leading through<br />
<strong>the</strong> grove to wide front porch <strong>of</strong><br />
Prior residence.<br />
The Prior family history in <strong>Escondido</strong> began<br />
in 1891 with <strong>the</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> William Wilson Prior<br />
Sr., from Salem, New Jersey, and his bride Laetitia<br />
Miller Wistar from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<br />
They were <strong>the</strong> first couple to be married in <strong>the</strong><br />
newly-built Trinity Episcopal Church. They<br />
settled in a farmhouse above Hill Avenue, now El<br />
Norte Parkway.<br />
In 1912, <strong>the</strong>y also bought <strong>the</strong>ir neighbor’s<br />
house, a two-story, craftsman-style home and<br />
moved in. The succeeding generations lived in<br />
this residence, keeping all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original<br />
furniture, artwork and rugs until it was sold in<br />
2016. The home boasted a palm-lined driveway<br />
with a sparkling fountain at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hill<br />
and gracious French doors opening onto <strong>the</strong><br />
front porch. Dances were held in <strong>the</strong> large<br />
parlor which spilled onto <strong>the</strong> porch, <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> growing town.<br />
W. W. Prior headed <strong>the</strong> committee to acquire<br />
property on Palomar Mountain for <strong>the</strong><br />
placement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Palomar Observatory. He was<br />
also <strong>the</strong> Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Mutual Water<br />
Company and <strong>Escondido</strong> Country Club, among<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r things.<br />
Laetitia was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Women’s Club. The club began<br />
meeting in 1907 and still exists.<br />
The Priors had three children—Frank,<br />
William, and John Sr.<br />
F a m i l y H e r i t a g e F 2 3 9
GLORIA<br />
WARREN<br />
Gloria Warren studied at Art Center College<br />
in Los Angeles and began as a graphic artist for<br />
Golden West Broadcasters, owners <strong>of</strong> West<br />
Coast radio and television stations. She later was<br />
employed in <strong>the</strong> motion picture distribution<br />
field in Hollywood, creating promotional and<br />
advertising art for films.<br />
After a lengthy career in design, Gloria began<br />
to paint utilizing <strong>the</strong> skills she acquired with her<br />
graphic arts background and at Art Center, but<br />
now as a fine artist.<br />
Warren’s interest in watercolor began in<br />
1989, and she has since studied extensively<br />
with nationally recognized illustrator Charles<br />
Reid and at La Jolla’s A<strong>the</strong>naeum with noted<br />
California artists Joan McKasson, Elaine Harvey,<br />
and Joe Garcia.<br />
“Watercolor has its own unique challenges,<br />
and it is also great fun. Every time you pick up<br />
<strong>the</strong> brush it is a risk; but sometimes <strong>the</strong> biggest<br />
challenges can give you <strong>the</strong> greatest satisfaction.”<br />
Gloria is a Juried Member <strong>of</strong> Watercolor West<br />
and a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Diego Watercolor<br />
Society. Her work has been selected for<br />
publication in Watercolor Expressions,<br />
distributed by North Light Books. Included<br />
among commissioned works in corporate and<br />
private collections are ten paintings on<br />
permanent display at Sharp Memorial Hospital<br />
Oncology Department in San Diego. Currently<br />
she is preparing for a 2020 exhibition at <strong>the</strong><br />
California Center for <strong>the</strong> Arts in <strong>Escondido</strong>,<br />
California, featuring San Diego artists in various<br />
mediums depicting historic Hell Hole Preserve<br />
County Park.<br />
2 4 0 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Sponsors<br />
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary....................................................................................................................................................................172<br />
The Alto Family.................................................................................................................................................................................234<br />
The American Heritage Charter Schools ............................................................................................................................................128<br />
Assistance League ® <strong>of</strong> North Inland County ......................................................................................................................................163<br />
The Baker Family...............................................................................................................................................................................232<br />
The Bandy Family (Crandall, Kelsey, Loomis, O’Dell, Bandy)............................................................................................................211<br />
Traci Bass & Associates......................................................................................................................................................................203<br />
Boys & Girls Clubs <strong>of</strong> Greater San Diego...........................................................................................................................................152<br />
Citracado Dental................................................................................................................................................................................154<br />
City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ..............................................................................................................................................................................146<br />
Arie de Jong and Hollandia Dairy......................................................................................................................................................176<br />
D’Agosta Shoes & The Rady Family...................................................................................................................................................212<br />
Downtown Business Association........................................................................................................................................................191<br />
El Plantio Nursery .............................................................................................................................................................................174<br />
Chick Embry .....................................................................................................................................................................................222<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center..................................................................................................................................................................137<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union High School District ..............................................................................................................................................162<br />
<strong>Escondido</strong> Union School District.......................................................................................................................................................138<br />
Esperanza’s Tortilleria.........................................................................................................................................................................184<br />
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto..........................................................................................................................................................................182<br />
Friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Library.......................................................................................................................................................156<br />
The Grand .........................................................................................................................................................................................150<br />
Graybill Medical Group .....................................................................................................................................................................136<br />
The Hawthorne Family......................................................................................................................................................................236<br />
Henry Avocado Corporation ..............................................................................................................................................................183<br />
The Hillebrecht/Emerson/Adams Families .........................................................................................................................................206<br />
The Homer Heller Ford Family .........................................................................................................................................................220<br />
Neri Hoxsie .......................................................................................................................................................................................226<br />
The Humphrey Family ......................................................................................................................................................................230<br />
Interfaith Community Services ..........................................................................................................................................................164<br />
Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram...............................................................................................................................................185<br />
The Ken Blanchard Companies ® ........................................................................................................................................................168<br />
The Knappe Family ...........................................................................................................................................................................217<br />
Judy and Eric Kroesche......................................................................................................................................................................235<br />
Ledge Media dba HPNbooks .............................................................................................................................................................192<br />
The Lusardi Family............................................................................................................................................................................228<br />
Richard Meyst and Fallbrook Engineering .........................................................................................................................................196<br />
Neighborhood Healthcare..................................................................................................................................................................142<br />
North County Cemetery District........................................................................................................................................................158<br />
OneWest Bank...................................................................................................................................................................................187<br />
Palomar Health..................................................................................................................................................................................132<br />
Palomar Mountain Spring Water........................................................................................................................................................178<br />
The Prior Family................................................................................................................................................................................239<br />
Rancho Guejito..................................................................................................................................................................................180<br />
The Redmond Family and Golfcraft...................................................................................................................................................237<br />
S p o n s o r s F 2 4 1
Rotary Club <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>..................................................................................................................................................................160<br />
San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority.................................................................................................................................................200<br />
Sunny Side Kitchen ...........................................................................................................................................................................189<br />
Toyota <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ..........................................................................................................................................................................170<br />
Visit <strong>Escondido</strong>..................................................................................................................................................................................190<br />
Volvo Specialist <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> ............................................................................................................................................................188<br />
The Von Seggern Family....................................................................................................................................................................224<br />
Gloria Warren....................................................................................................................................................................................240<br />
West <strong>Escondido</strong> Automotive & Transmission ....................................................................................................................................186<br />
Bob Wilson........................................................................................................................................................................................218<br />
The Witman Ranch............................................................................................................................................................................238<br />
2 4 2 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
Palomar Mountain State Park. Daphne Fletcher photograph.<br />
S p o n s o r s F 2 4 3
About <strong>the</strong> Authors<br />
Robin Fox has worked for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center since 1998 and was<br />
appointed executive director in 2018. She grew up in <strong>Escondido</strong>, attending San<br />
Pasqual High School before attending Brigham Young University, where she<br />
received a degree in education. Robin was also awarded a certificate in archival<br />
management from <strong>the</strong> Western Archives Institute. With a deep understanding<br />
and appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong>’s history, Robin has cared for and taught our<br />
history to thousands <strong>of</strong> residents and visitors, alike. Robin is wearing a charming<br />
dress with lace-edged collar in this 1961 photograph.<br />
Carol Rea has been fascinated by historic homes for most <strong>of</strong> her life. She came<br />
to <strong>Escondido</strong> in 1991 to work for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> Fire Department and moved<br />
into her first historic home, located in <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Historic District, in<br />
2000. Not long after, she was appointed to <strong>the</strong> Old <strong>Escondido</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />
and, in 2008, became <strong>the</strong> President, a position she held until 2018 when she<br />
began volunteering with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Escondido</strong> <strong>History</strong> Center and was appointed to <strong>the</strong><br />
its Board <strong>of</strong> Directors. After Carol retired from <strong>the</strong> Fire Department in 2009, she<br />
was appointed to <strong>the</strong> City’s Design Review Board as <strong>the</strong> expert in Historic<br />
Preservation and later to <strong>the</strong> Historic Preservation Commission, where she has<br />
served as Chairman for <strong>the</strong> last four years. Note <strong>the</strong> array <strong>of</strong> fine beauty products<br />
displayed behind Carol, who was styling in her favorite cowgirl look, in this drug<br />
store photograph, from 1957.<br />
2 4 4 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
About <strong>the</strong> Cover<br />
Artist Gloria Warren has always had a special fondness for painting historic<br />
California scenes and <strong>the</strong> challenges <strong>the</strong>y present. Though raised in <strong>the</strong> cities <strong>of</strong><br />
New York and Los Angeles, married life brought her to San Diego’s back country<br />
and <strong>the</strong> many new and challenging painting opportunities nature provides.<br />
A b o u t t h e C o v e r F 2 4 5
About <strong>the</strong><br />
Contributing Photographers<br />
PATDPHOTOS.COM<br />
Patrick L. Danforth, a California native, has<br />
been capturing images throughout his travels.<br />
His uncle, Patrick John Danforth, was based in<br />
Santa Barbara, California, and was one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> first photographers to use color prints. He<br />
worked with Ansel Adams in Yosemite,<br />
California during a time when Adams was<br />
exclusively using black and white<br />
photography. Patrick’s nephew, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same<br />
name, shares his uncle’s passion which shows<br />
through his images.<br />
DAPHNE FLETCHER<br />
Daphne Fletcher, publisher, writer, editor,<br />
founder and CEO <strong>of</strong> Ledge Media, is also an<br />
avid travel photographer and has contributed<br />
photography to more than a dozen c<strong>of</strong>fee table<br />
books she has published.<br />
2 4 6 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
<strong>Escondido</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Coronavirus<br />
Like many communities<br />
in 2020, <strong>Escondido</strong> residents<br />
saw <strong>the</strong>ir lives upended<br />
by <strong>the</strong> COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
The San Diego International<br />
Airport was emptied as a<br />
result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> travel restrictions<br />
imposed to contain <strong>the</strong><br />
spread <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coronavirus.<br />
Daphne Fletcher Photograph.<br />
Local businesses embraced new state<br />
mandates to protect <strong>the</strong>ir customers and<br />
employees and slow <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> virus.<br />
Daphne Fletcher Photograph.<br />
Grape Day Park and o<strong>the</strong>r local attractions were closed for safety reasons.<br />
Daphne Fletcher Photograph.<br />
E s c o n d i d o a n d t h e C o r o n a v i r u s F 2 4 7
For more information about <strong>the</strong> following publications or about publishing your own book,<br />
please visit www.ledgemedia.net or www.hpnbooks.com.<br />
Albemarle & Charlottesville:<br />
An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> First 150 Years<br />
Bakersfield: It’s <strong>the</strong> People, And a Whole Lot More<br />
Black Gold: The Story <strong>of</strong> Texas Oil & Gas<br />
Black Gold in California<br />
Carter County, Oklahoma: Then and Now<br />
Cheyenne: A Sesquicentennial <strong>History</strong><br />
Coastal Visions: Images <strong>of</strong> Galveston County<br />
Davis County: On <strong>the</strong> Move<br />
Fort Myers - City <strong>of</strong> Palms: A Contemporary Portrait<br />
Garland: A Contemporary <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Abilene: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Alamance County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Albany: City & County<br />
Historic Albuquerque: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Alexandria: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Amarillo: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Anchorage: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Austin: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Baldwin County: A Bicentennial <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Baton Rouge: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Beaufort County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Beaumont: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Bexar County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Birmingham: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Brazoria County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Brownsville: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Charlotte:<br />
An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Charlotte and Mecklenburg County<br />
Historic Chautauqua County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Cheyenne: A <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Magic City<br />
Historic Clayton County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Comal County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Corpus Christi: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic DeKalb County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Denton County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Edmond: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic El Paso: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Erie County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Fayette County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Fairbanks: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Gainesville & Hall County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Gregg County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Hampton Roads: Where America Began<br />
Historic Hancock County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Henry County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Hood County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Houston: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Hunt County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Illinois: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Kern County:<br />
An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Bakersfield and Kern County<br />
Historic Lafayette: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lafayette & Lafayette Parish<br />
Historic Laredo: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Laredo & Webb County<br />
Historic Lee County: The Story <strong>of</strong> Fort Myers & Lee County<br />
Historic Louisiana: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Mansfield: A Bicentennial <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Midland: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Mobile: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mobile Bay Region<br />
Historic Montgomery County:<br />
An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Montgomery County, Texas<br />
Historic Ocala: The Story <strong>of</strong> Ocala & Marion County<br />
Historic Oklahoma: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Oklahoma County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Omaha: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Omaha and Douglas County<br />
Historic Orange County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Osceola County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Ouachita Parish: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Paris and Lamar County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Pasadena: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Passaic County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Pennsylvania An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Philadelphia: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Prescott: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Prescott & Yavapai County<br />
Historic Richardson: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Rio Grande <strong>Valley</strong>: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Rogers County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic San Marcos: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Santa Barbara: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Santa Maria <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Historic Scottsdale: A Life from <strong>the</strong> Land<br />
Historic Shelby County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Shreveport-Bossier:<br />
An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Shreveport & Bossier City<br />
Historic South Carolina: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Smith County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Temple: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Texarkana: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Texas: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Victoria: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Tulsa: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Wake County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Warren County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Williamson County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic Wilmington & The Lower Cape Fear: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Historic York County: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong><br />
Iron, Wood & Water: An Illustrated <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lake Oswego<br />
Jefferson Parish: Rich Heritage, Promising Future<br />
More Than a River: Decatur-Morgan County<br />
Loudoun County, Virginia: Preserving Tradition, Embracing Innovation<br />
Miami’s Historic Neighborhoods: A <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Community<br />
Old Orange County Courthouse: A Centennial <strong>History</strong><br />
Planes, Trains & Heroes<br />
Plano: An Illustrated Chronicle<br />
The New Frontier: A Contemporary <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fort Worth & Tarrant County<br />
Rich With Opportunity: Images <strong>of</strong> Beaumont and Jefferson County<br />
Salt Lake City: Livability in <strong>the</strong> 21st Century<br />
San Antonio, City Exceptional<br />
The San Gabriel <strong>Valley</strong>: A 21st Century Portrait<br />
Southwest Louisiana: A Treasure Revealed<br />
The Spirit <strong>of</strong> Collin County<br />
Terrebonne Parish: Stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Good Earth<br />
Tyler: A Natural Beauty<br />
Utah <strong>Valley</strong>: Heart <strong>of</strong> Utah<br />
<strong>Valley</strong> Places, <strong>Valley</strong> Faces<br />
Water, Rails & Oil: Historic Mid & South Jefferson County<br />
Working Underwater: The <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Commercial Diving Industry<br />
2 4 8 F E S C O N D I D O : A P i c t o r i a l H i s t o r y o f t h e H i d d e n V a l l e y
$79.95<br />
Leadership Sponsors<br />
The Hillebrecht/Emerson/Adams Families<br />
The D’Agosta/Rady Families<br />
ISBN 978-1-944891-69-5<br />
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