2024 Officers

President's Message

President Dave Wilson

Happy June Everyone!

The mission statement of the Temecula Valley Historical Society reads:

To identify, preserve and promote the historic legacy of the Temecula Valley and to educate the public about its historical significance.

Our non-profit embraces and celebrates this responsibility in so many ways. We welcome local, regional, national and international visitors to the historic Vail Headquarters; our on-site Antique Store; the fascinating, relic-laden Little Temecula History Museum; and our monthly Fourth Monday historic presentations held at the History Museum. Each year we offer a program focused on local elementary-aged students allowing them to experience engaging, hands-on tours of the Vail Headquarters and the Little Temecula History Museum.

With this school year coming to a close, our unending thanks goes to the dedicated volunteers who have given so much of their personal time to facilitate these 'living history' experiences for the kids. There is a special satisfaction gained for those helping these 'classroom studies to come alive'.

This year through the end of May, a total of 24 groups of students - as many as 60 at a time - have experienced the Vail Headquarters magic presented by a core group of dedicated Historical Society volunteers. Thus far, an additional seven tours are booked this fall, with more to be scheduled when the new school year commences. The curiosity and joy on the kids' faces is energizing and priceless.

Do you want to experience that feeling first-hand? We welcome anyone that would enjoy volunteering. No experience is necessary, no awareness of our history is required. We'll help you learn on the job!

If you would like to join this labor of love, please reach out to Rebecca Farnbach at info@temeculahistory.org for more details.

Dave Wilson

President
    Dave Wilson
Vice President
     Jim Sappington
Secretary
    Wendy Lesovsky
Treasurer
    Roger Cudé
Past-President
    Shari Crall

2024 Directors

Loretta Barnett
Toni Benson
Roger Cudé
Stacia Deutsch
Rebecca Farnbach
Jeremy Garzon
Wendy Lesovsky
Bonnie Martland
Jim Sappington
James "Stew" Stewart
Bill Veale
Whitney Wilkinson
Dave Wilson

A Publication of
Temecula Valley Historical Society
PO Box 157
Temecula, CA 92593-0157

Our New Look!
(in case you hadn't noticed...)

Enjoy Our New Format!

We are thrilled to present June's News in an exciting, updated format! The newly revamped layout will feature an enriched blend of historical insights, upcoming event details, member spotlights, and interactive sections that invite your participation. Our goal is to provide a more engaging and informative experience, keeping you connected with our community and the rich history of the Temecula Valley.

Please enjoy the new experience and let us know what you think!

Nostalgic Bumper Sticker Messages

By Rebecca Marshall Farnbach

When I arrived in Temecula in 1988, people proudly displayed bumper stickers asking "Where the Hell is Temecula?" I wondered what that was about until someone pointed to an article in the forty-third issue of High Country Magazine, published in Winter 1977 by the Temecula Valley Museum.

According to the author of the article, James A. Brown, the saying was attributed to graffiti at the LA Zoo. Here's the story: at the end of January 1917, a cold winter storm came in and higher elevations took the brunt of the snow and freezing temperatures. As evening approached, Vail cowboys settled horses, including mares with newborn colts, in the barn on the Santa Rosa Plateau.

At One Time A Confounding Question...

During the night, the men heard a ruckus and rose to check the livestock. They found large paw prints outside the barn, but no animal. In the daylight, they followed a bloody path to the carcass of one of the colts that had been dragged from its mother. A little farther down the path, they found a contented female mountain lion sleeping. The men interrupted the cat's slumber and hog-tied her.

Following the railroad tracks into town, cowboys lugged the cat between two wary horses, creating a spectacle viewed by everyone along the way. Mahlon Vail and the cowboys didn't have the heart to kill the beast, so they shipped it in a crate on a Santa Fe freight car to the LA Zoo. At the mountain lion's new home, its cage sported a label: "Sally, California Mountain Lion, donated by Mahlon Vail of Temecula, California." When Mr. Brown visited the zoo some years later, he saw a phrase etched next to the printed letters - "Where the hell is Temecula?""

While Temecula grew leaps and bounds during the 1980s, newcomers heard the same question time and time again, so it is no wonder the bumper stickers sold like hotcakes. Perhaps the ubiquitous stickers helped cement the name when the community voted for cityhood in 1989 and chose "Temecula" over the recently coined "Rancho California" as the name of our the city.

Recently, our board of directors thought it would be fun to bring back the bumper stickers. Now you can buy reproductions at the History Museum or Antique Store. Also, we made smaller, more child-friendly stickers that say "Where the Heck is Vail HQ?"


Something Old is New Again!

If anyone has a story to share about the bumper stickers, please send them to info@temeculahistory.org.

L-R: Toni Benson, Bill Veale, Rebecca Farnbach, Dave Wilson, Loretta Barnett, Wendy Lesovsky

2024 Temecula State of the City

Members of the Temecula Historical Society attended the 2024 Temecula State of the City event, keen to stay abreast of the city's developments and future plans. Their presence underscored the organization's commitment to preserving the city's rich heritage while actively engaging with its evolving landscape. The event, held at the Pechanga Resort & Casino, featured presentations by city officials, including Mayor James "Stew" Stewart, who outlined major projects and initiatives aimed at fostering growth and sustainability. The society members, including longtime residents and local historians, found particular interest in the plans that intersected with historic preservation efforts and community engagement.

During the event, the Temecula Historical Society members took the opportunity to network with city planners, business leaders, and other community stakeholders. This interaction allowed them to voice their perspectives on the importance of integrating historical preservation into the city's development agenda. They also shared updates on ongoing projects, such as the restoration of key historical sites and the promotion of local history education programs. Their active participation highlighted the symbiotic relationship between preserving Temecula's past and shaping its future, ensuring that as the city progresses, it retains the cultural and historical essence that makes it unique.

Finally, Historical Society members were excited to take advantage of the State of the City event to formally announce the one-year anniversary commemorating the designation of Vail Headquarters as a National Historic Site. For more information, please enjoy the video which can be found at the following link: Vail Headquarters | National Historic Site

Volunteer

The Temecula Valley Historical Society needs your help! We are still looking for volunteers in the following areas:

History Museum Greeter - Weekly on Sundays
Vail Headquarters Greeter - Weekly on Sundays and/or Tuesdays
Visitor Assistance - Help at the Society's Antique Store, weekly on Sundays and/or Tuesdays
Guides - Assistance with 3rd grade field trips at Vail Headquarters and History Museum
Actors - Portray a historical person from Temecula's past at our living history presentations
Clerical - Help scan publications and create digital documents

ATTENTION MEMBERS: It is the time of year when we accept nominations for officers and directors for our board. To volunteer for one of these prestigious positions, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you are interested in helping, please email us info@temeculahistory.org.

Where Else is Volunteering This Much Fun?

100 Years Ago In Temecula

From The Lake Elsinore Valley Press

Yep - this is what Temecula looked like about 100 years ago!

June 11, 1924 - John McSweeney of the McSweeney Farms reports their potato crop is looking fine and that the prospect for a bumper crop from the 575 acres is very encouraging at this time. Mr. and Mrs. V.B. Sands and son, Edward, formerly residents of Temecula, visited friends here Sunday. Mr. Sands is now in the car distributor's office of the Santa Fe at San Bernardino. Farmers in this section are cutting and bailing hay. Nearly all report a good crop, especially on the Vail Brothers Pauba ranch. J.O. Freeman, (ranch) foreman, reports acreage going over two tons of grain hay to the acre, and of good quality. The Temecula Valley Lumber Company received a large shipment of lumber last week. The company enjoys patronage from a wide trade area. The Vail Company recently received 12 carloads of young cattle from the Santa Rosa Islands. The mountain ranges in this section are offering good feed this year. Mr. Heath of Oceanside until recently, and formerly a resident of Temecula, has returned and will open a service station. Temecula fishermen have been after trout recently. Some report good luck, while others tell of the "ones that got away."

June 19, 1924 - Mr. and Mrs. Verne Spivey and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walters and daughter, Peggy, and Roy Record spent the weekend fishing in Oceanside. Mrs. Lewis Powell has been visiting with friends in Alhambra. Miss Happy Burnham, and mother, Mrs. G. A. Burnham, are at Oceanside for a few weeks. Mrs. Mark Shipley and son, Tommy, were callers in Temecula Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burnham have as their guest their nephew, Burton Kimpton, of San Bernardino. Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Haynes were Los Angeles visitors on Wednesday of last week. Miss Mabel Nienke had as her house guests over the weekend Miss Catherine Waldup and Miss Bessie Maxon of West Covina. Mrs. W.T. Barton is in Los Angeles visiting her daughter, Miss Ethelyn Walters, who graduated last Tuesday evening with the class of 1924 from the Clara Barton hospital. Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Corgan, who were called to Santa Barbara a few weeks ago by the serious illness of Mrs. Corgan's brother, have returned home. They left the brother on the road to recovery.

June 19, 1924 - The people of the valley were grieved on Tuesday, June 10th to learn of the death of Mrs. Zemima Nicolas of French Valley. Mrs. Nicolas was one of our oldest and most respected pioneers and passed away after a lingering illness of two months. She was born in France in 1858 and came to the United States when a young woman. Her husband, Joseph Nicolas, passed away fourteen years ago. Besides a host of friends, two children, Mrs. Clementine Serval and Joe Nicolas both of French Valley and six grandchildren are left to mourn her passing. Funeral services were held in the Catholic Church of Temecula at one o'clock Thursday. Rev. Father Norman Raley of Elsinore officiating.

Events Calendar

Monday, June 24 - 6:00 pm - This month's Historical Society presentation will be given by Pat Ommert, who will share stories about being inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, her career as a trick rider, and her recollections of Temecula in the 1960s.
Every Sunday 11am to 4pm "Sunday Funday" - Family fun, entertainment, and vendor market. 11am to 4pm - Antique Store Open. Donations welcome and volunteers needed! 12pm to 5pm - Little Temecula History Museum Open.	Every Tuesday 9am to 1pm - Vail Headquarters Farmer's Market. 9am to 1pm - Antique Store Open. Donations welcome and volunteers needed!

"Identifying, Preserving and Promoting the Historic Legacy of Temecula Valley"

PO Box 157
Temecula, CA 92593-0157