Spring 2013 - Pleasant Valley Historical Society and Museum

Pleasant Valley Historical Society
720 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 93010
Spring 2013
Vol. 8, Issue 4
Published four times a year, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
The Echo
News from the Pleasant Valley Historical Society
Our Early Settlers - The Flynn Brothers
By Adele Flynn Walsh
Three Flynn brothers settled in the Pleasant Valley, Michael, Patrick and Martin. They were all born in
County Roscommon, Ireland. Michael Flynn, the oldest of the three, was born in 1852. He immigrated to the
United States in 1873, working as a cabin boy on a sailing vessel. Landing in Boston, he secured employment
and during the time there saved enough money to come to California. In San Francisco, he engaged in teaming, hauling coal and wood. One day, he arrived with a load at the back door of a house on Nob Hill and the
owner of the mansion asked him if he could do some hauling on the weekend. Michael responded that he didn’t own the team of horses, but he would ask his boss if he could lease them for the two days. Mike and the
boss agreed upon an amount; Mike figured out how much to ask the Nob Hill customer in order to make a
profit for himself on the job. It was then that he learned that you didn’t have to have money to make money;
you could use other people’s money to make money.
Michael and Sarah Flynn
On the advice of his cousin, Governor Downey, he
went south and leased land in Ventura County,
where he started farming and raising sheep. In
1878 he married Sarah Lavelle, of County Mayo,
Ireland, in the San Buenaventura Mission. In
1884 he sold out his farming and sheep interests in
Hueneme and moved back to San Francisco to try
his hand at speculating in grain in the market
there. He never lost his interest in farming and
always had his eye out for any good farming land
that came up for sale.
In 1885 he returned south with his family to Los Angeles where he built a home on West Washington Street.
Their first venture was the operation of a stagecoach station, the Eight-Mile House, at the foot of Cahuenga
Pass, near the Hollywood Bowl, where they catered to travelers while stagecoach horses were being changed.
In 1886 he exchanged his property in Ventura, on which the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America) was located, for 149 acres belonging to John Crinklaw in the Pleasant Valley. This land is now the Financial and
Commercial Park of Camarillo on Daily Drive. He acquired another ranch in the Somis Road area that later
belonged to Antoine Baptiste and even later, to Myron Pitts. Michael was a recognized leader in agricultural
progress in Ventura County and at one time farmed several hundred acres in beans and grain. He also bore
the distinction of being among the first to plant lima beans on the south side of the river, and the first to plant
walnuts in acreage, especially in the Pleasant Valley section.
Continued on Page 2
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THE FLYNNS, Continued from Page 1
Michael’s ranch was situated between the ranches belonging to Wendell P. Daily and Charles J. Daily, bordered
on the south by Ventura Blvd. and on the north by Las Posas Road. Martin Flynn’s ranch (he never married) was
across the road on the south side of Ventura Blvd. Patrick Flynn’s ranch (he married Nellie Gilligan) was on the
corner where Pleasant Valley Road meets Fifth Street – bordered on the south by the McCormick ranch and on
the north by Fifth Street. Descendents of Patrick and Nellie owned a parcel of land that was developed for light
industry, and the road that was built through the development was named “Flynn” road.
Board of Supervisors in 1890. From left to right:
Messer's Smith, Crane, Hartman, Flynn and Davis.
During his work, however, he never lost sight of the needs
and demands of the county in a political way and was always a leader in civic matters. In 1894 he was elected a
member of the Board of Supervisors of Ventura County,
and served two terms. As a supervisor, he was instrumental in building the first bridge over the Santa Clara River.
This was considered one of the greatest improvements
ever made in the county, owing to the fact the river during
winter months was often impassable for days and weeks at
a time.
Michael retired in 1902 and with his family moved to Los Angeles, where he had considerable property and interests. The children finished their schooling in Los Angeles with most of the boys graduating from St. Vincent’s
College – later Loyola. Michael and Sarah had nine children; David (married Anna Engelke), Robert Emmett,
Mary Grace, Albert Ernest (married Blanche Gisler), Clarence (“Clancy”), Sarah (married Chas. Rotsler), Adolphe (married Teresa Nichols), James (married Adele Hernandez), and Stephen (married Frances Richardson).
David, the oldest, also served as the supervisor representing our area in the 1930’s and served as the Justice of the
Peace here in Camarillo for 18 years. Stephen was a California Highway Patrol Captain in Ventura County and
served on the Golden Gate Bridge force and later the Bay Bridge force in San Francisco. James’ (Jim) wife,
Adele Hernandez Flynn was the Camarillo Librarian for about 33 years, and was appointed the city’s first Treasurer after incorporation.
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS
Donations given in memory of JERRY JENSEN, MARY GAYLE, MARIO GIACOPUZZI and MARY MOEBIUS by Fred Phipps
Donation given in memory of DOROTHY TARANTINO by Ned and Pat Bartels
Donations given in memory of JOHN R. MURPHY by Fred Phipps, John and Dona Bailey, Harry and Nona
Papageorge, Susan Naumann, Roger and Patsy Putnam.
Donations given in memory of DONALD BRIGHT by Raelene and Bill Manzer, Stan Daily.
Donations given in memory of TED LAMBERT by Stan Daily, Larry Davis.
Donations given in memory of LOIS STEVENS, ED BRINKMAN, MARTIN JANSEN by Stan Daily
Donation given in memory of JOHN BAILEY by Fred Phipps.
Donation given in memory of JOSE REYES BECERRA by Bill Milligan.
Donation in given in memory of ROBY ANDERSON by the Camarillo Antique Club.
Donations in honor of VAL RAINS’ 80th birthday by Adele Walsh and Ira and Lois Grooms.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
IT IS TIME TO GIVE THOUGHT TO NAMING NEW DON AND DOÑAS FOR AUGUST
Since our Society’s inception, 49 years ago, we have honored 429 individuals by naming
them Don and Doña, representing the Camarillo, Somis and Santa Rosa Valleys. This is the highest
honor one can receive in this area, being named in honor of our own Don Adolfo Camarillo, the last
of the California Dons, and his wife Doña Isabella Camarillo.
These individuals so named have been from “Old line” families of the area, or have been here
for over 20 years, some much longer than that, and were very active in numerous areas of achievement that have added to the development and character of our greater community.
We would appreciate it if you would be thinking of someone deserving of this award in our
greater community. Another article appearing in this ECHO will give you more specific information
in regards to this.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION IN JUNE
If any member is interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors of the PVHS &
Museum, please let us know by a letter of application, (enclose a brief bio of yourself, and the reasons you wish to serve on our Board) and the Nominating Committee will be glad to consider your
application. Each year, one third of the positions on the Board are to be elected or re-elected to office. We are always appreciative of our members for offering to serve on our Board. The deadline
for applications is May 1st, 2013. Please send all communications regarding this to Hon. Stanley J.
Daily, President, Pleasant Valley Historical Society and Museum, P. O. Box 570, Camarillo, CA
93011.
ANNUAL MEETING
This notice also is just a quick “heads-up” that our Annual Meeting will be on June 2nd, 2 to 4
p. m. at our Museum. We will be electing our Board of Directors at this meeting, as well as having a
very interesting program. Please mark your calendars for a nice afternoon with your fellow members
in our Gazebo and Garden area. Light refreshments are always served. See you there!
REMINDERS
Just a quick reminder: we currently have approximately 400 members, and all memberships
came due on January 1st, 2013. It would be appreciated if you could remit your dues to PVHS & Museum, P. O. Box 570 as soon as possible. Your membership support is truly appreciated.
Join us when we dine out at Chester’s Asia Chinese Restaurant on Tuesday, May 7, 11 a.m. to
9:30 p.m.
Again, a big “thank you” goes out to the Lions Club for the donation they give to defray the
cost of this newsletter.
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT DURING MY YEARS AS PRESIDENT. IT TRULY HAS BEEN A
WONDERFUL “TOUR OF DUTY. PLEASE GIVE THE SAME SUPPORT TO YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT.
Warm Regards,
STAN
Hon. Stanley J. Daily, President, PVHS and Museum
Mayor Emeritus, City of Camarillo
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THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE MUSEUM
ANNUAL MEETING, Sunday, June 2 , 2 p.m. in the Honn Garden Gazebo
You are all invited to the Pleasant Valley Historical Society’s Annual Meeting. We
will begin with a short business meeting which will include election of some new
board members and reports from Treasurer Bob Rust and President Stan Daily.
Then we will have a demonstration of “Clockwork Music” by Leif Engeswick of
Ventura. He will demonstrate the operation of some music boxes, small mechanical
organs and phonographs that were manufactured during the period of 1879 to 1912.
Light refreshments will be served and the public is welcome.
DONS AND DOÑAS NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
Raelene and Bill Manzer, Selection Committee Chairs
In the President Message you read about Don and Doña honors that have been awarded to 429 individuals
over the years. We invite you to submit nominations for the 2013 Dons and Doñas on the form on page 6.
Nominations are accepted until June 1. Following that date, the Selection Committee will meet to consider all
nominations. As stated on the Nomination Form, all nominations are confidential and only known by this
committee. The Committee determines who will be selected and those selected are notified. The PVHS
Board hosts a get acquainted reception for the honorees and the Board in July. The annual Don and Doña barbeque to honor the recipients is August 25. We look forward to receiving your nominations. For information,
please send an email to [email protected].
EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL DAYS
by Barbara Wagner
On March 9th and 10th, over 130 children of all ages
attended the first “Early American School Day” event at
the PVHS Museum. They learned about the early
1900’s one-room schoolhouse and the very different role
of its presiding teacher, as portrayed by Janice Garner,
Joy Todd, and Marian Trachsel. They participated in a
sprinkling of 1902 curriculum, utilizing their slates, and
were amazed at the rules that the students were given to
follow.
Joy Todd holds class.
Photos by Bill Todd
During recess, they played hopscotch, pick-up sticks,
jump rope, marbles, jacks, and cat’s cradle. Again, everyone participated; I even saw one of the Dads doing an
extraordinary job at hopscotch!
An added treat was the opportunity to meet Gene West
and play with his handmade wooden toys. Gene has
graciously agreed to leave a sampling of the toys on display until early April.
A big THANK YOU to the Special Events Planning
Committee: Liz Daily, Betty Jo McDonald, Bill Todd,
Joy Todd, and Barbara Wagner.
Janice Garner (left) and Marian Trachsel (right) teach class.
If you were not able to attend, we plan a repeat program
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in September. Hope to see you there.
CHARLES HONN GARDEN
Betty Jo MacDonald, Garden Chair
LIVING HISTORY DAY
Sunday, May 19, 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Museum
Living History Day provides both children and adults an opportunity to step back in time to the days when the Pleasant
Valley area was first settled by Europeans. Everyone who attends gets to find out what it was like to churn butter by
hand--and then taste the product! They learn what it was like to wash your clothes on a wash board by actually doing
some scrubbing.
Presenting Living History Day to the public has become a tradition for us since 1993, the first Living History Day.
This first event was the brain child of Sally Brotherton, a Girl Scout who conceived the idea for her Gold Award Project. Her goal was to give children a better understanding of Camarillo's past and to create excitement about our history. Sally called her event "Living in History" Day, to provide insight into what daily life was like before our modern
equipment. This first Living History Day was built around 9 rotating stations of 15 minutes each with each activity
representing an aspect of daily life of different historic periods which Sally choose to represent. This event was designed to give all levels of Girl Scouts an opportunity to complete their badges, so she helped the girls, provided a day
of learning for the public and an on-going project for PVHS.
The next year the Society Members took on the project, which has evolved over the years. Now the events are on going throughout the afternoon and children walk through, choosing which projects they want to complete. We still have
the ever popular tortilla making (and eating) and churning butter (see below). Projects vary from making corn husk
dolls, Indian rock painting, toy making to gold panning and wheat grinding. We sometimes have spinners, weavers,
quilters and tractors, and on occasion, a famous lady trick roper.
Many people in PVHS have been involved in creating this day.
When I first came to the Society, Liz Daily was the chair and
organizer. Over the years she has collected a notebook full of
ideas, records of each event and newspaper clippings chronicling
the day.
Our event is now an expected event in the community and entertains 80 to 150 children each year. It is free to all, refreshments
are served and each child takes home items which they created
with their own hands. It is our Society's gift to the community.
We can thank Sally for the idea and for creating the first day. I
wonder where she is now and what wonderful projects she has worked on since she created "Living in History" Day.
If you would like to participate, bring your ideas, your talents and your enthusiasm for recreating history. This year's
chair of Living History Day is Pat Roth. She and co-chair Liz Daily are promising a fun day for all. Maybe we will
have a soldier from the Civil War days stop by for a visit.
If you would like to volunteer to help, call Pat at 482-3382 or Liz at 482-1036.
NOTE: For those who have asked about the proposed butterfly garden project: The butterflies never knew it was
merely a proposal. They have been laying eggs, hatching caterpillars who eat constantly, and flying around the garden
looking beautiful. Long live the butterflies!
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Executive Committee and Board of Directors, 2012-2013
Honorable Stanley J. Daily, President
Barbara Wagner, Corresponding Secretary
Frank Roth, Vice President
Ira Grooms, Parliamentarian
Bob Rust, Treasurer
Ted Daniel, Member at Large
Liz Daily, Recording Secretary
David Hibbits, Member at Large
Directors:
Scott Baum
Max Copenhagen
Liz Daily
Honorable Stanley Daily
Ted Daniel
Ira Grooms
Paul Hawblitzel
Bob Hernandez
David Hibbits
Dr. Renee Whitlock Higgins
John Kitchens
Bill Manzer
Raelene Manzer
Ron McCown
Betty Jo McDonald
Bill Milligan
Albert Misevic
Carol Pinto
Roger Putnam
Val Rains
Franklin Roth
Patricia Roth
Bob Rust
Bill Todd
Tina Sanchez
Betty Sullivan
Valerie Tackett
Barbara Wagner
Adele Walsh
Committee Chairs of PVHS for 2012-2013:
Accessions, Cleaning, Display: Liz Daily; Annual Meeting, Facilities, Don and Doña BBQ, Grants: David
Hibbits; Docents: Adele Walsh; Don and Doña and Site Selections: Bill and Raelene Manzer; Gazebo Events:
Val Rains; Finance/Budget: Bob Rust; Policies: Burt Misevic; Garden: Betty Jo McDonald; Gift Shop: Carol
Pinto; IT: Max Copenhagen; Living History Day, Sunshine: Pat Roth; Membership: Bill Todd; Newsletter:
Betty Sullivan; Fundraising: Stan Daily; Publicity: Barbara Wagner; Supplies: Charmaine Beaumont.
THE PLEASANT VALLEY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY & MUSEUM
THE PLEASANT VALLEY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY & MUSEUM
invites you to
invites you to
DINE OUT
DINE OUT
On Tuesday, May 7, at
On Tuesday, May 7, at
CHESTER’S ASIA
RESTAURANT
CHESTER’S ASIA
RESTAURANT
2216 Pickwick Dr.
2216 Pickwick Dr.
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
You must present this flyer to your server in order for
the Society to be given credit.
You must present this flyer to your server in order
for the Society to be given credit.
Use this coupon for yourself
Give this coupon to a friend.
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NEWS FROM THE
PLEASANT VALLEY
The Pleasant Valley Historical Society Mission is to identify, preserve, classify, restore and acquire artifacts, buildings, landmarks, photographs and historical documents
HISTORICAL
of the greater Pleasant Valley area for the education and
SOCIETY
focal point for the dissemination of the history of the area.
use of the general public, and to make the museum a
720 Las Posas Road
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
PO Box 570
Camarillo, CA 93011-0570
(805) 482-3660
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web site address: pvhsonline.org
Newsletter Editor:
Dining Out at Chester’s Asia on
Tuesday, May 7
Living History Day, Sunday, May 19
Annual Meeting, Sunday, June 2
Betty Sullivan, 482-6340
Renew your membership this month.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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Permit No. 128
12 noon to 4 p.m.
Oxnard, CA
Museum Open: Saturday and Sunday
PAID
Camarillo, CA 93011-0570
U.S. Postage
P. O. Box 570
Non-Profit Org.
Pleasant Valley Historical Society