From Past exhibit of the Tijuana River Valley  – (thanks to Steven Shoenherr on his website)

The Tijuana River Valley was formed millions of years ago when the high waters of the Oligocene era retreated and the coastal plain was uplifted by the movement of the Pacific tectonic plate. Water draining from the mountains carved valleys and canyons in the low mesas of the coastal plain. After the Ice Age the ocean levels rose from 9000 to 3500 years ago and filled the valley with sea water forming the coastal estuary that exists today.

The first to inhabit the valley 11,000 years ago were the San Dieguito people, who hunted and fished along the shore and river. By 7000 years ago, The Yuman speaking ancestors of Kumeyaay inhabited several villages in the valley, practiced agriculture and traded with distant cultures. Archeologists have documented the location of the large village known as Melijo which was identified as “Sanctu Spiritu” in the diaries of Father Crespi in 1769. Two prehistoric camp sites in the Tijuana Slough were found buried by sands, but flooding partially eroded the sands and re-exposed the cultural deposits. Several villages inhabited the mesas along the border with Mexico, including Monument Mesa, Lichty Mesa and Spooner Mesa. ( Robbins-Wade, 1990, and San Diego Archaeology Center Buried Deposits, online )

1833 – Rancho Melijo included most of the Otay and Tijuana valleys, some 30 square miles, also known as Rancho La Punta was sought by a petition in 1833 from Santiago E. Arguello, son of Santiago Arguello, grandson of Jose Dario Arguello, former governor of Baja California. The mother of Santiago E. Arguello was Pilar Ortega. He married Guadalupe Estudillo, grantee of Rancho Janal. Gov. Figueroa decreed: “Don Santiago E. Arguello is declared owner in fee of the land known by the name milijo, bounded by the Rancho Nacional of San Diego, the Rancho of Tijuana, the hill range of San Antonio and the road leading to Lower California, subject to that which may be stipulated and besides, that the stock of the Nation be allowed to graze there in case of necessity.” The Gov. officially confirmed the grant on June 26, 1834, after it was approved by the Committee on Colonization and Vacant Lands. ( Menzel, 1942, pp. 25-31 )

Border Monument 1885

1849 – The U.S.-Mexican International Boundary Commission, whose job it was to survey the new international border, arrived at San Diego in June 1849. Andrew B. Gray was assigned the task of surveying San Diego Bay. Major Emory was to fix the location of the initial point on the Pacific Coast and Brevet Captain Edmund L. Hardcastle was given the job of marking the line from the initial point to the junction of the two rivers. As part of his work, Andrew B. Gray produced what is probably the earliest detailed map of the area. It showed the south end of San Diego Bay and the west end of the Otay and Tia Juana River drainages. The Arguello home was identified as “old ranch” and shown on the bluffs north of the Otay River, which was called a “fresh water creek.” The Tia Juana River was called “Arroyo de Tia Juana.” The Tijuana Estuary was shown in detail and identified as a “Tide Water Lagoon.” The southern extension of this lagoon ended in a “Salt Flat” at the base of the bluffs that now make up the southern edge of Border Field State Park. One “Marine League” south of the southernmost point of San Diego Bay was measured off on the map to establish the “Initial Point” of the boundary between the United States and Mexico on the beach just below the bluff now known as Monument Mesa. According to the map, Gray’s party camped on the south bank of the Tia Juana River just to the east of the mouth of Goat Canyon in September 1849, while conducting field survey work. Major Emory established his headquarters at Rancho La Punta, naming it Camp Riley, after General Bennett Riley, the acting military governor of California. Emory soon established, on the ground, the initial point south of San Diego Bay from which the border would continue eastward. By 1851 the line had been established and marked and Brevet Captain Hardcastle erected a “splendid white marble monument at the initial point” (San Diego Herald). Although described as the “initial point,” or “initial monument,” this marker was not on the actual spot on the beach were Gray had mapped it in 1849, but a few hundred yards to the east on a small table land at the southern edge of border field know known as Monument Mesa. The monument of fine Italian marble became an extremely popular tourist location for residents of San Diego County, as well as visitors to the region. In 1862 Jesus Maria Estudillo, age 18, on a visit to the Arguello Family at La Punta recorded a trip to the monument and the surrounding beaches and terrain that would later become Border Field State Park: “Sunday, August 17, 1862 At the house [La Punta] till eleven or twelve when Tula, Refugia, and Lola, with Jose Antonio and myself went to visit another monument at the point of boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. .. After visiting the seashore and enjoyed a short time viewing the waves. I saw four antelope and deer, we came home soon after. It was very warm when we left the beach.” ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1852 – On February 19, 1852, Boundary Commissioner John Russell Bartlett visited San Diego and took the opportunity to visit the boundary line and see the new monument. He noted that the “monument stands directly opposite the Coronado Islands, and is seen from a great distance on land as well as by vessels at sea. On the table-land around and south of it, grows a large number of the beautiful agave.” During his brief stay Bartlett made a pencil drawing of the landmark, which is the oldest known image of the monument that is available today. Except for a brief two-week period in 1894 when the damaged monument was taken to San Diego to be resurfaced and reinscribed, this monument has stood on the line for 156 years identifying the beginning of the 1,952 mile line separating Mexico and the United States. (Hughes, 2007)

1869 – In the late 1860s settlers began to establish farmsteads on the grant, especially in the Otay and Tia Juana river valleys and by 1870 some 50 settlers had preemption claims within the boundaries of the former rancho. In 1870, Santiago E. Arguello’s widow, Guadalupe Arguello, attempted to reclaim the grant under an 1865 act of Congress that allowed claimants of Mexican grants rejected by the Land Commission to purchase portions of the grants that they had occupied. A major obstacle at this time was that large sections of the disputed land were now occupied by pioneer farmers. This last effort by the Arguellos to reclaim their rancho was rejected by the courts In October 1873. The family was left with a small homestead around their original adobe house. The Tia Juana Valley was, from that point forward, unequivocally government owned land opened to settlement. ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1869 – Beginning in the late 1860s, the Tia Juana Valley became the location of an agricultural community known as Monument. As population increased other communities and villages were formed, including Tia Juana, Oneonta, South San Diego, and San Yisidro. Settlement of the valley during this period reflected a general trend throughout southern California and the western United States as settlers moved west and took up government land to establish farming communities and town sites. There was a time in San Diego County, and throughout the western United States, when a substantial portion of the population lived on farms. Following the Civil War, acquisition of 160 acres of farmland became the goal of thousands of young men and women in the United States and numerous European immigrants. They wanted to establish a home and earn a living, or benefit from rising land values that could be anticipated with increased settlement. Pioneer farmers intended to establish agricultural communities patterned after those they had left in the east. These consisted of small towns and villages that provided basic services for surrounding farmsteads, which averaged from five to eight per square mile. Rural communities constituted the major type of settlement pattern and social network developed by farm families during the 19th century. They were made up of people who lived within well defined geographic boundaries, shared common bonds, and cooperated to solve common problems. They did not live in small towns or villages, but on farmsteads tied together through a common school district, post office, and country store. This was the most common type of community in San Diego County from 1870 through the mid-1930s. At their peak between 1900 and 1910 approximately 112 rural farmstead communities existed within the county’s present day boundaries.( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1869 – During the late 1860s pioneer farmers settled in the Tia Juana Valley. Settlement continued through the 1880s resulting in the establishment of large and small farmsteads in the valley bottomland. In 1869 the region became known as Monument City. Topographic maps completed that year showed several homes already established in the river valley and surrounding area. A “small” house was located near the north end of the estuary at the extreme western boundary of Section 30, Township 18 South, Range 2 West. The configuration of the slough was generally the same as it had been when mapped by Andrew Gray 20 years earlier. A cultjvated field was located near the mouth of Goat Canyon and the flat area within what is now Border Field State Park was described as “swamp and overflowed land.” The catalyst for the community at Monument City appears to have been the store and hotel of S.S. Nichols, located about a mile northeast of the estuary “at the head of the bay.” The location is now within the city of Imperial Beach in the general vicinity of 13th Street north, of Palm Avenue near the south edge of San Diego Bay. His advertisements in the San Diego Union during 1869 and 1870 stated “St. Nicholas Hotel Monument City. Head of the Bay. Provision Store. A share of patronage solicited S.S. Nichols.” In August 1869 settlers in the Tia Juana and Otay Valleys met at Nichols’ home to organize against the attempt of Guadalupe Arguello to regain control of Rancho La Punta or Milejo. “A resolution was unanimously passed declaring in favor of standing together as a league in defense of the titles to the lands settled upon” (San Diego Weekly Union 8-17-1869). In the same month Tia Juana Valley settlers organized the Monument School District and built a school house. Miss Storms was hired as the teacher. Monument School was known as the “south western most institution of learning in the United States” (San Diego Weekly Union 8-18-1869 3:1). The original location of Monument School is also now within the boundaries of present day Imperial Beach, in the area north of Palm Avenue and east of 13th Street. The school was about a quarter mile southeast of S.S. Nichols Hotel. In 1889 a new school house was built in Monument District. This building was constructed on the south side of the Tia Juana River, against the high bluffs that form the southern edge of the valley, approximately one mile east of Border Field State Park. The building still exists at the intersection of Hollister Street (formerly National Avenue) and Monument Road, and is used as a private residence. The small one-room Monument School kept the distinction as the southwestern most school house in the United States until it closed in 1941. At that time it was considered to be the longest operating school in San Diego County. ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1869 – The Tia Juana Valley remained popular with tourists who traveled to see the marble monument at the border. Nichols attempted to exploit this trade, calling his hotel the “Bay View House.” A neighboring entrepreneur, Mr. Gould, erected a bath house and “pleasure gardens,” known as the Gould Recreation and Bathing Grounds. Tedford and Company’s omnibus and stage coach line ran from Old Town San Diego to Monument City three times a week, taking patrons: “… direct to the Bath Houses!!! From the Franklin House, San Diego, every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday morning, through South San Diego, National Ranch, to Monument City. Headquarters at the Bay View House, S.S. Nichols, proprietor, Returning the same day. The proprietors of the Omnibus and Stage Coach Line will accommodate Pic -Nic parties on reasonable terms” (San Diego Union Advertisement 1869). In July 1869 the San Diego Union announced that “The wide awake citizens of Monument City will celebrate the coming fourth of July by giving a grand Pic-Nic at Gould Recreation and Bathing Grounds. . . . Sailboats and stages will run for the accommodation of the public. In account of the fourth falling on Sunday, the celebration will be held on Monday” (San Diego Weekly Union 1869). The following week the paper praised the success of the event: “At Monument City extensive preparations were made for the celebration on the 5th instead of the 4th. Mr. Gould erected at his pleasure gardens, a large arbor with first rate planked floor, for the purpose of furnishing a suitable place for the ceremonies of the day and festivities of the evening. It was all that could be wished for by the most exacting. The scenery from the point where the arbor was located was truly magnificent. Being within a few yards of the beach, where the surf rolled with a tremendous roar, and situated at the head of the beautiful San Diego Bay, and directly opposite the great mountain forming the boundary between Mexico and the United States, a more sightly spot could not be found. The people came from all quarters in all sorts of ways …” (San Diego Weekly Union 7 -7-1869). ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1870/08 – Although the tourist trade promoted by Nichols and Gould brought many people to the Tia Juana River Valley and the area of present Border Field State Park, the majority of the households residing in the valley were engaged in agriculture. In August 1870 the newspaper commented “Charley Mansir of Tia Juana has our thanks for some of the finest specimens of tomatoes we have yet seen in this section. Mr. Mansir’s place is one of the best in the valley, and his crops this season show what cultivation will accomplish aided by fair rainfall. The farmers of the Tia Juana and Otay Valleys will do still better next season” (San Diego Weekly Union 8-16-1871 3:7). ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1870/08/18 – Mr. Felipe Pazza, “an Italian of experience in silk culture,” achieved remarkable success raising silk worms in the Tia Juana Valley. Mr. Russell’s farm near Monument provided the Mulberry leaves. His trees had been grown from slips set out in November 1869. Mr. Pazza purchased the silkworm eggs from Mr. Combe of the Sweetwater Valley and by August of 1870 had 1,000 worms raised “in his dwelling house on the ranch, without any extra care.” Pazza and Mr. Combe were considered to be “the pioneers in sericulture in San Diego county” (San Diego Weekly Union 8-18-1870 3:1). ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1872/01/13 – Old Road Survey No. 1 by M. G. Wheeler, County Surveyor. “From a point where the road from San Antonio, Lower California, crosses the Mexican Boundary Line to the Southern Line of Rancho de la Nacion.” ( Old Road Surveys, Cartographic Office, San Diego County Department of Public Works, 5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego CA. )

1872/02/17 – George Stone developed artesian wells in the Tia Juana Valley ( The San Diego Union )

1872/03/09 – Mr. Bowman is superintendent of Tia Juana Artesian Well Company ( The San Diego Union )

1875 – The Monument District was re-established in 1873 and a school built in 1875 south of the Tia Juana River at the end of Monument Road. The school closed in 1941. (Chula Vista Star, June 20, 1941.)

1876 – Charlotte Kover, 92 nurse, well-versed in San Diego history. As early as age 12, Charlotte Johnson Kover drove a horse-drawn milk wagon from her family’s Palm City dairy farm to customers in San Ysidro and Tijuana. It was her way of carrying on the legacy of her paternal grandparents, who abandoned their Midwestern roots to farm 240 acres of South Bay soil in 1876. In 1916, when a storm unleashed up to 30 inches of rain in San Diego County over six days, causing widespread flooding, the vegetable crops on the family farm were destroyed…. ( San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 9, 2000. )

1880 – During the late 1870s the name Monument City fell out of favor and by 1880 the term Tia Juana Valley came back into common use for the area. (The name Monument continued in use in the Tia Juana Valley as the name for Monument School and Monument Road, a portion of which was first surveyed in 1885 (Old Road Survey No. 25 1885). The designation of this route as Monument Road was in common use by 1900 (Road Survey No. 179 1900). The name also continued in use as a designation for the voting precinct south of the National Ranch which now includes National City and Chula Vista. ) This change came as merchants began to establish businesses along the main road south from San Diego where it crossed the international border. In 1865 George Washington Barber kept a general store on the “left bank” of the Tia Juana River. A year or so later William Lane, a native of Wales, purchased 160 acres at the border crossing and also entered into a general merchandise business. On May 10,1876, the Tia Juana Post Office was established at this location in the store of N.G.A. Dranga. In 1879, an adobe Customs House was built on the Mexican side of the crossing, which spurred development of the small community of Mexican Tia Juana. ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1880 – Early settlers gave their name to the mesas along the border. Spooner’s Mesa was named for Christopher and Olive Spooner, who ranched on top of the mesa. Part of their homestead and a concrete cistern with their names etched in the side remain atop the mesa.

1884 – Fred W. Wadham came to the Tia Juana valley with his father James F. Wadham and there engaged in farming for a number of years, gradually broadening his activities to include almost every phase of the life of the section. He had charge of the stage station on the Mexican border and also established in San Diego the first planing and grist mill run by steam in the county. For a number of years he was engaged in the livery business and conducted at the same time the old Arizona feed yard. From time to time he invested extensively in land and became one of the largest landowners in the Tia Juana valley. Since the beginning of his active career he has been interested in the breeding and raising of fine trotting horses and has done more than any one to promote a better breed, his animals having been considered for many years the best in this part of the state. His prize stallion, Del Coronado, has a record of 2:08 and is still unbeaten in the show ring. He is the owner of Johanna Treat, whose sire, Thomas Rysdyk, was brought to California from Kentucky about 1888. Johanna Treat is one of the best known brood mares in California. She is the dam of the champion trotters Del Coronado, Zulu Belle, My Irene’s, Treatway, Johano and Bonnie Treat. In addition to his work as a breeder of high-grade trotters, Mr. Wadham is also discharging the duties of deputy customs house inspector and collector, to which office he was appointed on the 2d of April, 1894, and in which he has since served. He has proven himself invaluable as a government official, able, conscientious and progressive in the discharge of his duties and loyal in all respects to the interests of the country. He has charge of eighteen miles of the Mexican border line and there established the first custom office and floated the first United States custom flag. He had charge of this district during the battle of Tia Juana and proved himself equal to this demand upon his resourcefulness and energy. His success in the discharge of his official duties is the best evidence of his capabilities. When he assumed management, the collections through the port of entry were less than five hundred dollars a year, but under his keen supervision and careful management this sum has been increased to twenty-eight thousand dollars per year. His records show that in the fiscal year from June, 1911, to June, 1912, fifty thousand people passed over the auto road from Mexico to the United States. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 359-360.)

1884/02 – Second greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 50,000 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1884/03/28 – Messrs. Wetmore and McCool with their wives, started to visit the Monument yesterday, but got no farther than the Tia Juana river, which was too high to ford. They had to content themselves by gazing from the north side of the river at the granite column which marks the imaginary line between the two Republics. ( San Diego Union)

1884/05/03 – Kimball noted that he got stuck in Tia Juana River going to the Monument ( Mizony, 1956)

1885 – James Luther came to to the valley in 1885. He was born in Cincinnati, 1846, and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he went to work for the railroad in Kansas and married Mary J. Roe in 1868. He lost a leg in a railroad accident so the family decided to leave the snowy winters of Kansas and go west. They traveled by train with their seven children, their personal possesions, and their livestock, to the Tia Juana River Valley area, which included Nestor and Oneonta. The San Diego City Directory of 1885, for the town of Oneonta, lists both James Luther and his son James Patrick along with the names of new friends and neighbors. These included Wm. H. Holderness, J. A. McCann H. M. Peavy, J. T. Schultz, and C. E. Smith. A new Oneonta school built in 1886 was attended by several of the children. James Luther became a rancher. His oldest son Charles died shortly after he fell under a railroad car which severed his legs almost to the hip. The death of her oldest was too much for Mary J. She died from grief three months later, April 22, 1888, at the age of 38. Both are buried at La Vista Cemetery. Lottie, the oldest daughter, assumed the duties of the household. She married Charles Couts in 1897. Years passed, and the children moved to other places in the Los Angeles area. James Luther is remembered for his story telling and the songs he sang when visiting with his grandchildren. One was about “The Rooster Feather on Your Hat.” James Luther went to live in Los Angeles County near Long Beach at the Sawtelle Soldiers Home. He died November 24, 1925. ( Chula Vista Historical Society. Family, Friends, and Homes. San Diego CA: Tecolote Publications, 1991. )

1885/01 – Old Road Survey No. 82 Proposed County Road from Tia Juana Valley to The Mesa (sec 27 to 30) Survey by O. N. Sanford Jan. 1885 ( Old Road Surveys, Cartographic Office, San Diego County Department of Public Works, 5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego CA. )

1886/04/17 – Old Road Survey No. 51 by M. G. Wheeler of Road in Tia Juana Road District, in conformity to petition of Samuel Yenawine et al., Superior Court No. 915 ( Old Road Surveys, Cartographic Office, San Diego County Department of Public Works, 5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego CA. )

1886 – Luther Johnson came to San Diego from Macomb, Illinois, where established a chain of dry-goods stores. In 1886 he was among the first settlers in Nestor, where he purchased a 200-acre ranch. This was a tract of raw land covered with brush which Mr. Johnson cleared, after which he began the work of development and improvement, carrying it forward along modern and progressive lines. He spent the later years of his life in his comfortable home in San Diego and there his death occurred on January 30, 1911. Mr. Johnson married Miss Sarah J. Tatham, who still resides on the old homestead in Nestor. Seven children were born to this union, all of whom survive, namely: George A.; C. Ray; Mrs. C. W. Hiatt, Frank I., Luther L., Mrs. Anna A. Church, and Dr. R. H. Johnson. The home ranch is in charge of George A. Johnson. In the early days 20 acres were planted in lemons and oranges but these trees were taken up at the time of the drouth and in 1893 a large dairy was substituted, in which were kept 87 high-grade cows. At present the tract is planted in grain and alfalfa, of which Mr. Johnson harvests valuable crops every year. Everything about the place is kept in excellent condition and it is in all things worthy of the man who broke its soil for the first time 26 years ago. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 303-304.)

1886 – William H. Holderness, an early settler in the Tia Juana valley and since 1886, one of the dominating forces in its development and upbuilding, is today one of the substantial and progressive farmers of this locality. He is part owner of one hundred and four acres of fine farming land. He and his wife Leona are the parents of six children, Edward P. G., Stella E., Skiffington, Mary, Paul, and Josephine. Mr. Holderness came as a pioneer into the Tia Juana valley and can relate some interesting experiences concerning early times. Twenty-five years ago the total population was fifty people and only three hundred acres of the fertile and productive land was under cultivation. The water supply was small, coming as it did from surface wells, and the work of development which has now been effected was then barely begun. Today [1913] more than four thousand acres are under the plow and are producing almost priceless harvests. Two thousand inches of water have been developed, modern machinery has been installed and the region developed and reclaimed. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 291-292)

1887 – W. G. Evans and his wife came to Palm City 1887 from Mass.; worked for Coronado Lumber Co., then for NC&O railroad, became large rancher at time of the gold excitement of Alamo and was interested in Tia Juana. Son W. B. Evans is deputy collector and inspector of customs at Tijuana. Younger son R. D. Evans has a large ranch in Tijuana River Valley. At their 50th anniversary celebration in Moore Hall, those who spoke incl Mrs. Kretsinger, Weldon Evans, Mr. Holderness, C. C. Park, Leroy Cross ( San Diego Union, May 29, 1913 )

1887 – By 1887 ten subdivisions had been laid out around the south end of San Diego Bay that included Otay, Tia Juana City, South San Diego, South Coronado, Coronado Heights, Pacific Park, Oneonta, International City, and Head of the Bay. As with most of these paper towns, nothing developed here and after the collapse of the boom in 1888, International City and most of the other boom subdivisions remained undeveloped. Three, however did become established in and around the valley; Oneonta, South San Diego, and Tia Juana City. Oneonta consisted of 450 acres of land located in the northwest corner of the river valley in the area now occupied by Ream Field and the north and east edges of the Tia Juana Estuary. During this period the estuary became known as Oneonta Bay, Oneonta Slough or the Inlet. Articles of Incorporation for the Oneonta Land, Town, and Water Company were filed in December 1887. Promoters saw their future metropolis as an international center of border commerce and a beach resort. They emphasized that the tract lie “immediately between and directly opposite the two passes into Lower California, through which transportation must pass, and from its high position it commands a view of the Tia Juana valley for miles” (San Diego Union 8-16-1887). The two passes referred to appear to be Goat Canyon and Smuggler’s Gulch, which, of course, were not the only nor the most easily traveled routes into Lower California, as attested to by the development of the community of Tijuana Mexico during this period. On February 9, 1888 a large advertisement in the San Diego Sun proclaimed: ” ONEONTA BY THE SEA THE PASADENA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND TERMINUS OF THE NATIONAL CITY AND OTAY RAILWAY NOW HAS WATER ABUNDANT, PURE, AND GOOD PIPED THROUGH ITS STREETS AND READY FOR USE. A $20,000 hotel in process of erection A telephone line now building from San Diego A lovely bay, with boats for boating The best fishing and hunting on all the coast The two best passes into Lower California Immense business possibilities. A number of houses are now building and under contract to build…. Only $150 per lot, one third cash, balance six and twelve months. Trains for Oneonta leave foot of Sixth Street at 6:20 and 8:30 A.M. and 1:50 and 5:00 PM. of each day. We predict for Oneonta 1,000 inhabitants within a year Oneonta Land, Town & Water Company” The estuary was seen as a major feature for promotion. ” Oneonta lies below the mesa and stretches for some distance into the valley. A strip of ocean breaks into it, which is about 200 feet across at the widest part. It is literally alive with fish of several kinds and often a long line of the lovers of the sport can be seen, rod in hand, whiling away the hours. There are now a number of boats along the bay and it is the intention of the company to have a good fleet of pleasure boats in addition. A long drive 100 feet wide will run along its shore, and a park covering fifteen acres is now being laid out. A horse car line will be established to make connections with the beach from the town.” (San Diego Union 8-16-1887). The advertisements continued claiming: “. . . The National City and Otay Railroad will pass through the town and for the present make its terminus there. A large and commodious hotel will be erected close to the motor depot and park, and, in fact everything is being done to make a beautiful suburban residence town and resort to San Diego. Teams will be provided to convey visitors to the monument and other points of interest. The blocks are now being laid off 300 by 350 feet, with 20 foot alleyway. The lots will be 25 by 140 feet. Two streets will be made 100 feet wide and the remainder 80 feet wide. One of the most important of the improvements to be made is the carrying of water from the Tia Juana River to Oneonta for irrigating purposes, it is proposed by means of an engine, to throw up water into a large reservoir at an elevation of 250 feet. Pipes will be laid to the town site, and water can be used when required…” (San Diego Union 8-16-1887). And finally no “saloons, fists, or bullfights” would be allowed but every effort would be made to encourage churches, schools, morality, and decency (San Diego Union 1-27-1888). Unlike so many subdivisions of the ’80s boom that completely disappeared, a small village grew up at Oneonta and survived into the early 20th century when it was finally absorbed by the community of Imperial Beach. One reason for this was that the promoters actually did develop the tract, establishing a rail connection to San Diego, telephone and daily mail service, a pressurized water system, a school, and a hotel, which later became a sanitarium. The area’s location had always been a popular tourist destination since S.S. Nichols had established his Bay View Hotel just to the north of this location in 1869. A stage met passengers arriving at Oneonta on the National City and Otay Railroad to take them to the Border Monument. An article in the San Diego Union described Oneonta village in August 1892, four years after the land boom had collapsed: “The principal building is the Oneonta Sanitarium, conducted by Dr. Stocking. This institution is at present the home of a number of hunters and health seekers. There are about 30 rooms well lighted and warmed, and a roof observatory, glass enclosed for sun baths. Competent nurses are in attendance, and the new institution is earning an enviable reputation. The post office is kept by Mr. Smith, who has a general store in connection. Mrs. J. Jackson also carries a stock of general merchandise. There is no hotel as the sanitarium cares for boarders. There is a good school house. The mail arrives but once daily, at 6 pm., and leaves at 6 in the morning. Among the noticeable fine farms in the immediate vicinity are those of Mr. Barton, Mr. Wiley, and Mr. Eisenmeyer.” ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1887 – A small number of Italian immigrants settled in the Otay Valley in the mid-1870s. Emanuel Daneri and his wife Rosa came to the valley in 1874. Simon Lavargi and Rosa Mosto and her brother Joseph lived with the Daneris. Anton and Mary Guatelli owned 160 acres to the east, John Semenza owned land to the north, Joseph and Rosa Poggi owned the dairy ranch to the west near the creek that would bear their name. Joseph Poggi recalled “There was quite an Italian colony there” with the Daneris, Semenzas, and Franzas. Emanuel Daneri took advantage of the Timber Act of 1873 and planted 35,000 trees to claim additional land, gradually increasing his properties to 900 acres. The Italian farmers planted a wide variety of crops, including tomatoes and pumpkins and peaches, but mostly potatoes that could be grown all year and sold for 3 cents per pound. Emanuel Daneri in 1889 was taking 3 wagons of potatoes per week to San Diego. However, his wine became his most famous product. He had 100 acres growing as a vineyard by 1890 and built a winery that produced 17,000 gallons per year. Some of these Italian families expanded their farming operations to the Tijuana Valley after Oneonta was founded. Lorenzo Semenza owned 60 acres on the south edge of Oneonta, on what would become Sunset Road, and sent his kids to the Oneonta School. Joseph Poggi owned 60 acres across the street from Semenza along 15th Street.

1887/08/25 – Special Announcement! ONEONTA GRAND Opening Sale WILL OCCUR Tuesday, the 30th day of August, AT 9A.M. This charming locality is located upon an elevated mesa close by the sea, at the foot of the Tia Juaua Valley. An arm of the sea putting in at this point, defined by clearcut banks, affords the finest fishing to be found anywhere within reach of San Diego. The ocean beach and the surf close by is as good as the best. The picture of the Tia Juana Valley presented from this point is one strikingly beautiful. It is only a short distance from the Monument which defines the boundary line between the United States and Lower California, unquestionably the last town that can be located in the Southwest corner of the United States. Its attractions can hardly be summed up in a few words, but consist largely in its unique location. The rich broad valley of the Tia Juana will necessarily be the home of a large number of successful fruit-growers and other small farmers. The city of San Diego, like all great cities, must overflow. Charming places for homes are always in tbe suburbs of great cities, and not in the cities themselves. ONEONTA will be in close connection with San Diego via THE NATIONAL CITY AND OTAY RAILROAD, the contract for which has been let, to be completcd NOVEMBER 1st next. It is unquestionably a fact that the standard guage road, soon to be built by the Coronado Beach people, will pass through the town of ONEONTA, and when a steam railroad is built through to Ensenada, it will very naturally make a junction with the Coronado railroad at ONEONTA, passing through one of two possible routes immediately south therefrom. Develop Water Under Pressure! The projectors of the town of ONEONTA are gentlemen whose honest intentions will never be doubted, and who have pledged themselves to put the streets in excellent condition, erect buildings, and make such other public improvements as wili warrant the development of this new candidate into a fully ledged town of no mean proportions in a very brief period. In order that every one may make money, the lots have been priced at $100 each for inside lots and $150 for corners. Streets and avenues are unusally wide, and no one can visit this attractive spot without being impressed with the natural advantages it possesses. A convevance will be provided at the end of the motor line, near Otay City, which will carry passengers free to and from the townsite. Lithographic maps will ibe distributed on Saturday, and the opening sale will occur on Tuesday, August 30th, at the office of the San Diego Development Company, 824 FIFTH ST., W. H . HOLABIRD, Mgr. ( The San Diego Union)

1887/12/30 – construction begun on Oneonta Hotel ( The San Diego Union, )

1888 – George M. Kimball was born in Maine and came with his father to National City in November, 1887, both as railroad carpenters, and in 1888 entered business at Nestor. Here he has been engaged in general contracting and building throughout Tia Juana valley since that time. While the elder Mr. Kimball was still living the firm built many of the first houses in this portion of the state and after his father’s death Mr. Kimball of this review continued the business, erecting in National City a beautiful home for Dr. Fly, the Granger business block and the acid factory. In Chula Vista he planned and erected the Perry Brothers packing house, the San Diego Land & Fruit Company’s and the Randolph Fruit Company’s packing houses, an addition to the schoolhouse, residences for Mrs. Ash and Mr. Robinson, as well as many fine homes in the Villa tract in Chula Vista. He has also done some fine residence work in San Diego, and in addition built the trestle, three thousand feet in length, for the San Diego Mountain Water Company, extending from the Otay dam to Sweetwater. Mr. Kimball did most of the contract work in the early days of the building of National City, Chula Vista and Otay and of late years also has been engaged in extensive operations in those communities. During most of his period of residence in Tia Juana valley he has made his home in Nestor but for three years he engaged in building in La Jolla. In 1893, however, he bought a five-acre ranch in Nestor and definitely established himself here. He has three acres of this land planted in lemons. In 1897 he purchased additional sixteen and one-half acres in Tia Juana valley, putting in a well and pumping plant in order to develop an independent water supply, devoting this land to alfalfa and garden truck. Mr. Kimball continues to make his home in Nestor, but gives active supervision to his extensive business interests throughout the county. He understands the theory of construction and never allows his work to suffer by reason of inferior material. In addition his buildings are artistic in design and pleasing in appearance, combining the qualities of utility and attractiveness. Mr. Kimball has for many years been one of the greatest individual factors in the expansion and development of this section of Tia Juana valley, where he has come to be regarded as an enterprising business man, who has won that success which always follows earnest, persistent and well directed labor. In 1893 Mr. Kimball married Miss Rose Johnston, a native of Iowa, and they have two sons, Ernest, born in 1895, and Qinton, born in 1900. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kimball are well known and widely popular in social circles of the city and have an extensive acquaintance and many friends. Mr. Kimball has lived in Tia Juana valley for almost twenty-five years and during that time has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He well merits the success which has come to him, for it has been gained through straightforward dealing and business methods which neither seek nor require disguise. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 361-362.)

1888 – George Loustalet was born 1870 in France, came to U.S. and San Diego 1888, had farms and a dairy business in the Tijuana and Otay valleys until retirement in 1925. His wife Alphonsine Longpre was born 1876 in Quebec, Canada, and she came to San Diego in 1889, and they were married in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in 1893. George died in El Cajon in 1959 at age 88. ( San Diego Union Feb. 1, 1959 )

Henry Schnell 1913

1888 – August M. Schnell was born in Germany, came to Minnesota in 1859, and moved to the Tijuana River Valley where he started a dairy in 1888, selling milk to the Hotel del Coronado. His son, Henry Schnell, organized Schnell’s Sanitary Dairy in 1899 and was the first local dairyman to sell milk in bottles rather than cans. The Schnell dairy grew into the largest dairy south of Los Angeles, and in 1913 merged with other producers to create the Producers Mutual Dairy Association. It was known as the PM Dairy and was one of the early milk cooperatives in San Diego county. Schnell sold the PM Dairy to Arden Farms in 1928, and then sold Arden Farms to Harold Grey in 1933. Schnell continued to improve and expand his family’s Schnell Model Dairy Farm on San Ysidro Boulevard from Nestor to San Ysidro, advertising its “Protected Milk” that he produced in his new creamery plant. In 1937, Schnell and Harold Grey formed Dairy Mart Farms that was established on the Schnell farm, producing milk with the modern machinery that Henry Schnell had installed. Grey changed the name of Arden Way to Dairy Mart Road and won contracts to deliver milk to the Navy during the war. A new emphasis of Dairy Mart Farms was distribution, including a fleet of trucks and drive-in stores throughout San Diego county. Henry Schnell died 1957 and his wife Phyllis Schnell took over the management of Dairy Farms. At that time the cooperative employed 90, processed 10,000 gallons of milk daily from 11 South Bay farms and sold through 75 distributors. Members of the Dairy Mart cooperative included some of the largest dairy farmers in the South Bay, including Walter Burch, Robert Egger, Julius Hofer, Robert Reider, Otto Rollin, Henry Schaffner, George Schurig, Leo and Manuel Zumstein. (The National Cyclopedia Of American Biography. New York: James T. White & Company, 1962)

1888 – ONEONTA BY THE SEA! The Pasadena of San Diego County, the Terminus of the National City and Otay Railway, and for Healthfulness and Beauty of Location Without a Rival. Now has four round-trip passenger trains dally to San Diego; good water; a $20,000 hotel; a telephone line to San Diego; a lovely bay; the best fishing and hunting on this coast; a rich soil; a climate unsurpassed; a combination of ocean, mountain and valley scenery unequaled; a beautiful park site almost surrounded by water; a combination of beauties and advantages that must be seen to be appreciated, and is conceded by all to be the lovliest place for a home, and the most desirable as an Investment in this county. It also has a post-office, with dally malls; grocery store, meat market, water under pressure, bath house, and one of the finest beaches and surfs on this coast; also church services morning and evening every Sunday; Sabbath school, and a musical and literary society. Its new and commodius hotel is now open to the public, and being run in first-class style by the gentlemanly and efficient proprietor, A. A. Thomas, who, with his family, will spare neither effort nor pains to make it the most attractive hotel for tourists and others in Southern California, with rates most reasonable; per day $2.00, per week $7.00. Special inducements to families and permanent guests. Thousands of acres of the finest agricultural land in Southern California, including a large portion of the famous Tia Juana Valley, surround and are tributary to the town of Oneonta; also, the trade of a vast section of Lower California. ( Chula Vista Historical Society Bulletin, March 1986 )

1888/01/30 – Monument Hotel at International City. (photo) ad with picture of proposed hotel.

1888/01/31 – hotel ad: The Monument Hotel. ( The San Diego Union )

1888/02/02 NC&O Motor road began running to the Oneonta hotel Sunday morning [Feb. 5] . “Carlson & Higgins have a gang of Chinamen grading on the extension to the monument” The hotel roof is about finished, is 2 and one half stories, with 27 rooms. Mr. Holden’s residence is nearly complete. Mr. C. E. Smith to build house 2 blocks east of the hotel. Mr. Sniff has bought 20 acres on the Monument road south of town and will improve it at once. (National City Record, Feb. 2, 1888.) The NC&O turned south to the village of Oneonta. Grading had been started and a contract reportedly had been let for an extension of the motor road to the south, crossing the river and curving west to “International City”, a subdivision laid out by the visionary William H. (Billy) Carlson and his partner, Higgins, near the initial monument marking the boundary between California, U.S.A. and Baja California, Mexico. Border Field is now located there. Like most all of Billy’s projects, it fizzled. (Bice, Hiram. “Let’s Ride the Dam Train” National City Record, May 5, 1892.)

1888/03/08 Oneonta was settled by residents of Oneonta, New York. The name, taken from the Iroquois Indians means, “Place of Rest.” The little town was incorporated by the Oneonta Land & Town Company On March 8, 1888. At that tIme its geographical location was given as Sect. 32, T. 18 S. Range 2 West from the San Bernardino Meridian. Now It would lie along the southwestern part of Ream Field. ( Phillips, San Diego Land & Town Company, 1880-1927, p. 62. )

1888/07/04 The Oneonta Hotel opened July 4 and guests arrived by railroad. They could take a daily stage to see the monument at the border. The hotel was destroyed by 1891 flood.

1889 – “The hills and arroyos on the south edge of the valley, especially Smuggler’s Gulch and Goat Canyon, undoubtedly provided cover for 19th century illegal aliens as they tried to enter the United States. The illicit passing of merchandise and livestock across the border was also a common activity for which several Tia Juana merchants were charged. In April 1890 the old and established storekeepers Joseph Messenger and William Lane were arrested for smuggling. ‘Mr. Lane was discharged and Mr. Messenger was released under bonds to await the action of the Grand Jury.’ (San Diego Union 4-29-1890). The following July butchers Otto and Wolf were arrested on a charge of smuggling cattle across the line and taken to Los Angeles to await trial (Otay Press 7-18-1889). Other incidents occurred as a result of the rowdy individuals and criminals attracted to the town. In May 1889 a ‘bold forgery was brought to the light … at Tia Juana…. The scheme was to secure a loan of $10,000 on San Diego town lots by forging the name of the owner, and setting forth the urgent demand for the money for mining purposes.’ (Olay Press 5-30-1889). In August of the same year a major brawl broke out. During the rumpus chairs and billiard balls and cues were used and pistols displayed, but the only one seriously hurt was William Rivers, who was taken to the county hospital with a broken arm. The trouble is said to have originated from an alleged case of smuggling.’ (Otay Press 8-8-1889). In October authorities indicted several saloon keepers for selling liquor without license (San Diego Union 10-24-1889). Entrepreneurs also soon realized that Mexican Tia Juana provided an opportunity to avoid some of the legal restrictions of the United States and quick marriage businesses, as well as gambling establishments, located there. ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1889 – Local papers made periodic references to the farmers in the area. Sugar beets, grains, and vegetables remained popular crops: “H.C. Tibbetts of the Tia Juana has sent the first sample of sugar beets for a test. The sample consisted of three large beets weighing from eight to ten pounds and was grown from seed received from the agricultural department (Olay Press 6-30-1889). Messrs Schnell and Edmonson are both shipping large quantities of milk to San Diego via the N.C. & 0 from their ranches in the Tia Juana Valley (Olay Press 6-13-1889). The corn crop in the valley is looking well and green corn is on the market (Olay Press 6-27-1889). Watermelons, muskmelons, figs, tomatoes and vegetables are now being shipped from Otay and Tia Juana Valleys (Olay Press 7-25-1889). Mr. Schnell is crushing barley at his mill in Tia Juana this week (Otay Press 9-12-1889). One of the Tia Juana honey-fisted farmers was rewarded by a return of 125 sacks of potatoes from one planted (Olay Press 9-19-1889). The Oneonta Horticultural Society sent a sugar beat to the District Fair at Los Angeles, that weighed 125 pounds. Capt. Folks sent cabbages, cucumbers; Frizzell, sweet potatoes, squash, popcorn; Ware, Muscat Grapes; Flemming Tokay Grapes; Drew, corn; Tibbets, corn, apples, tomatoes, quince, pears, cabbage; Forbish, pumpkins, weight 165 pounds (Otay Press 9-26-1889). The Monument district took the premium for the best sugar beet at the Los Angeles fair (Otay Press 10-10-1889). George M. Kimball’s big squash, grown on his ranch at Tia Juana, weighing 157 pounds, is ahead as far as is heard from. It may be seen at the produce store J. E. Mulvey & Sons. Cor. 6th & H Sts. San Diego (Olay Press 11-25-1889). The surplus cabbage and other vegetables that can be so readily grown the year-round in Sweetwater, Otay, and Tia Juana valleys has at last found an outlet. The producers Union has shipped a carload of cabbage to Omaha … Our farmers will not have to let their cabbage rot in the field for want of a market as was the case in Tia Juana last winter (Olay Press 2-13-1890). There are numerous windmills throughout the Tia Juana Valley, where most of these farms are situated, and the land is well watered. This Tia Juana Country, by the way, is green all the year. No irrigation is necessary, and the soil is generally moist. One or two gasoline engines are in use for irrigating nursery stock. There are not many citrus trees here abouts but the crop of peaches and apricots is very large. Several tons of dried fruit will be shipped this fall. The principal crop is alfalfa hay, wheat, hay, and live stock. One field of twenty acres has already yielded this season three crops of alfalfa hay, and from which two more crops are expected to be harvested. Another man in this locality had two acres of 5 year old apricots (San Diego Union 8-28-1892). C. S. Brown, foreman of the H. Perry ranch, Tijuana valley, last year raised 20 acres of sugar beets, this year 25 acres, next year expects to increase by several hundred acres. (San Diego Union 12-7-1917). ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1889 – The South San Diego school was built at 10th and Elm. (The San Diego Union, Apr. 9, 1889)

1889 – The Oneonta school was built in 1889 and was used for more than 30 years. ( Otay Press, 1889/05/23 ) The Oneonta School District combined with the Highland School District and the South San Diego School District to form the South Bay Union School District in the 1920’s. The Oneonta school was a two story building with an auditorium and stage upstairs. In 1922 a contract with William T. Wykes called for the transporting of the students enrolled in the Highland and the Oneonta schools from designated stations to the South Bay Union School (formerly South San Diego School). In 1976, the name Oneonta lives on in Imperial Beach. Oneonta Avenue, running west to east between Holly Avenue and Iris Avenue, crosses the old village terrain. A large modern brick grammar school named Oneonta, faces on 10th Street between Grove Avenue and Beverly Avenue, near the old village. No one mentions Oneonta Lagoon or the old Brewster Sanitarium at Oneonta. For half a century, they have been only memories. (Elliot, 1976, p. 173)

1889/03/01 – The U.S. and Mexico established the International Boundary Commission (IBC) on March 1, 1889 as another temporary body to apply the rules that were adopted by the Convention of 1884. The IBC was extended indefinitely in 1900 and is considered the direct predecessor to the modern-day International Boundary and Water Commission. The 1884 Convention was modified by the Banco Convention of March 20, 1905 to retain the Rio Grande and the Colorado River as the boundary. (International Boundary and Water Commission)

1889/12 – Ninth greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 20,000 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1890 – The first school district to be organized in any part of the present South Bay Union School District was the Monument School District which was organized in 1869. In 1871, Monument District became part of the National School District, but in 1873, the Monument District was re-established and a school built in 1875 south of the Tia Juana River at the end of Monument Road. By 1889 three other districts had been formed in the area which now comprises the South Bay Union School District. They were Highland, Oneonta and South San Diego and each had built a school. About 1890, a new schoolhouse was built in Palm City at Banana and National Avenue. These individual schools and districts were consolidated into the South Bay Union School District in 1922. (Elliot, 1976, p. 171) 1890 – J. Mapson, who named Palm City when he had citrus groves near Nestor in 1890, was honored Saturday on his 86th birthday at his home, 4569 Cleveland avenue. His two daughters, Mrs. E. P. Draper and Mrs. Adele M. Foster, both of San Diego, planned a birthday surprise and carried out the event successfully. More than 100 persons were present to congratulate the honored guest. A majority of the guests were San Diego pioneers. Born in England, Mr. Mapson came to America when he was 12 years old and settled in Minnesota. When he moved to California in 1890, he built a home near Nestor and established what was the largest orange and lemon packing plant In southern California. Retiring 24 years ago, Mr. Mapson moved to San Diego. ( San Diego Union, Nov. 24, 1930) The 1900 census for Otay township listed Jehu Mapson, 55, born 1844 in England, married spouse Katie S. Mapson in 1887, son Robert L. Mapson born in 1878.

1890 – Two other small communities commercial centers became established in the northeast portion of the valley: Nestor, where a post office was established in June 1890, and nearby Palm City, where postal service opened in January 1914. Located on the main highway and railroad line between San Diego and the border crossing, Nestor would become the main center of business for the region. The Tia Juana Post Office closed in February 1904 and its service was also moved to Nestor. The post office at Oneonta suffered the same fate. The Monument and Oneonta School Districts still served residents of the valley’s east end. The number of students at Monument School ranged from a low of 24 to a high of 26 between 1893 and 1910. Families living in Section 5 which had children attending Monument School included the households of G. Yorba in 1901, N. Mejillas in 1899, and J.A. Mansir in 1901. Households living in Section 32 with children attending Oneonta School between 1897 and 1901 included F. J. Davies, J. R. Duncan, J. W. Dury, R. Harpham, W. H. Holderness, R. Harpham, G. N. Huey, F. C. Ingersoll, E. J. Kerns, L. Lazzaretto, J. R. Lynch, J. A. Mc Cann, C. J. Miller, E. C. Olmstead, J. P. Patterson, J. Semenza, C. E. Smith, R. B. Smith, C. A. Utterberg, and W. H. Ward. ( Van Wormer, 2005. )

1891/02 – Oneonta and International City are long gone, according to Irene Phillips, 82, now at Fredericka. Some early towns including Highland and the “first” Tijuana were in the Tia Juana River flood plain. The Russ House was an inn popular with visitors who came for the bull and prize fights or the hot springs, but all wiped out by Feb. 1891 flood ( Chula Vista Star-News, Dec. 5, 1971. )

1891/02/19 – For its brief duration, scarcely more than a week, the storm that struck Southern California and Arizona in February of 1891 was probably the worst on record. On February 19 heavy rain was welcomed as a guaranty of good crops. Four days later the city was isolated from the world. Every telephone and telegraph line was out, railroad connections were severed and a heavy storm at sea with gale winds interrupted shipping. Virtually everything that had been built in the riverbeds or on the alluvial plains between the great watersheds and the sea was gone or reduced to wreckage. In that day the town of Tia Juana straddled the border and consisted of thirty or forty residences and business houses. The storm washed away perhaps twenty-five of them, as well as the trees which shaded the town. Those who rebuilt moved to higher ground, and laid the foundations for the present cities of Tijuana and San Ysidro. (Pourade v. 4, 1964)

1891/09/21 Southwest of Imperial Beach, a narrow body of water extended 1.5 miles inland from the ocean where the force of the waves was spent and only the rise and fall of the tide IndIcated Its proximity to the sea. Here a little town was platted, with broad streets and a Bay Boulevard. Wells to the east of town provided an abundance of water for domestIc use, and for the orchards that were being planted. An excursion to Oneonta with brass band and picnic celebrated the opening of the Hotel. By September 21, 1891, it was advertIsed throughout the country, “Beautiful Oneonta, by the sea. The hotel of 27 rooms, with a fireplace in each room is set in a beautiful garden and lures the tourist to prolong his stay in the mild, winter-warm climate. There is swimming in the bay, also surf bathing nearby, Sailboats are ready, without charge, for all who enjoy sailing in our quiet Bay. There are clam bakes and clamming parties, fishing, hunting and future fruit orchards. A special stage takes the tourist to the International Monument.” There were the usual town stores, a post office established on March 24, 1888, a church and many houses. The Warren Kimball Planing Mill furnished, and dressed the lumber for these buildings as well as for the schoolhouse. The Oneonta Dramatic Club rendered many dramas, such as the three act, “Above the Clouds” which was great success. It was a complete little town. Backers of the project had wonderful plans for the future. Here was a town on an ideal Bay with a back country as prosperous as a man could wish. Was it not possible to ship all produce from the Otay Mesa and the Tia Juana valley direct from Oneonta instead of the long haul to National City or San Diego? Hopes were high for future development but the ocean along the beach was relentless. It does queer things. The unpredictable waves brought sand into the Bay and the sail boats tilted precariously in the shoal water. The little town struggled on. The hotel was purchased by Mrs. Brewster and an Eastern Syndicate and became known as the “Brewster Medical Company.” Mrs. Brewster converted it to a Sanitarium for Consumptives. The Hotel-Sanitarium burned on Sept. 16, 1897. The NC&O raIlroad gave up running their trains to 0neonta in 1891 after the big flood in the Tia Juana RIver Valley and the trains went only as far as Fruitland. ( Phillips, San Diego Land & Town Company, 1959, p. 63. )

1894/07/10 – Head of the Bay Notes: Dr. P. A. Wood of San Diego spent Sunday at his ranch. The apricot, blackberry and peach crops in this vicinity are turning out well. 0. E. Smith and family of Oneonta are off for a three weeks’ vacation at Valley Center. The Methodists have had the room in which they worship in the school house frescoed by artist J. B. Duncan. It is a thing of beauty and therefore “a joy forever.” They have also added a new pulpit to their church furniture. Mr. Eisenmeyer has returned from a three months’ visit east. His walnut ranch is looking finely. He thinks, as an article of commerce, that nothing will compare with the product of a walnut ranch. Almost every inch of the Tia Juana valley is adapted to walnuts. ( San Diego Union )

1895 – Newell Jacob Peavey was born in 1878 in Maine and as a child moved to Iowa with his family. His father Hollis Monroe Peavy moved to the South Bay area of San Diego County in 1893, where he was among the first settlers of the Tia Juana Valley in 1895. Newell Peavey operated a dairy farm in the valley and became a director of the old PM Dairy, one of the first diary associations in San Diego. The farm was wiped out by the flood of 1916 and Peavey leased and later bought the Rose Canyon Ranch, now the site of Clairemont. He first operated a dairy farm there and then began raising beef cattle, lima beans also were grown extensively on the ranch. He sold his interest in the ranch in 1952 and retired, but his sons continued its operations until the area was subdivided, The family also conducted ranching operations at Penasquitas Ranch, near Miramar, and is active in ranching in San Diego and Imperial counties, Nevada and Idaho. Peavey, who died in 1965 at the age of 87, was a resident of this area for 72 years. He was a member of the San Diego County Cattleman’s Association and one of the founders of the Old-Timers Club of San Diego County. He is survived by seven sons, including Hollis Peavey of Nestor, George and Alvin Peavey of Potrero and Russell Peavey of Miramar; four daughters, including Mrs. Mary Finnegan of Lemon Grove and Mrs. Nancy Holsapple of San Diego; 27 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. ( The San Diego Union, Aug. 15, 1965. )

Newell Peavey 1913

1895 – Newell Jacob Peavey has one hundred and five acres of the finest alfalfa land in this section of the state. This indeed forms his principal crop and he has the distinction of being the first man to raise alfalfa on an extensive scale. He has been very successful in its cultivation, cutting seven crops a year, averaging ten tons to the acre and curing nine hundred tons yearly. Mr. Peavey is likewise extensively interested in raising fancy stock, keeping fine horses and cattle. He is the owner of the black Percheron stallion Ursus, weighing two thousand pounds at five years of age. Mr. Peavey has raised some fine blooded colts and now has animals from two to three years of age which weigh from eleven hundred to thirteen hundred and fifty pounds. He also buys and sells cows and heifers, keeping always from thirty to forty head of young stock on hand. In addition to this he has fourteen horses in his stables, which are necessary in order to conduct the farm. This has already become one of the finest and most scientifically operated ranches in this section of the state and upon it are found all the features of a model farm property of the twentieth century. Mr. Peavey was the first man to develop water on a large scale in the Tia Juana valley and now has the best water plant in San Diego county, consisting of five wells ninety feet deep, with one hundred and seventy-five miners inches of water. He has installed a fine system of irrigating ditches, put in at a cost of from fifty to seventy-five dollars per acre. Everything about the place is in excellent condition, indicating the owner’s care, skill and practical methods. Mr. Peavey began as a small landowner, operating on a small scale, but success soon rewarded his well directed work and his activities have constantly broadened. From time to time he bought more land, brought it to a high state of development and improvement and is today as the result of his own energy and efforts one of the successful and prosperous farmers of this community. He has rented out twelve acres of his land to a truck farmer, receiving forty dollars per acre a year. On this small tract his tenant has raised potatoes averaging one hundred and seventy-five sacks to the acre, a remarkable instance of the fertility and productiveness of California soil. Mr. Peavey has been twice married. The children by his first marriage are Alvin H., Hollis M. and George T. His second union occurred in 1912, in which year he wedded Miss Opal Russell and there is one son by this marriage, Webster Russell, born October 15, 1912. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 404-407.)

1895 – Hollis Newell Peavy was born in 1902 and actually lived in Oneonta for several years as a child with his brothers Alvin and George and sister Pansy. They lived with their mother in a house owned by his grandfather Hollis Monroe Peavy, who first came to the area in 1895 and owned land between Oneonta and the Mexican Border. Later, the house they had lived in was sold to the Sniff family who lived there for many years. The Peavy home in Oneonta was a two story house with living room, kitchen, bedroom and a lean-to on the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs. There was a dug well with a windmill to pump the water. All toilet facilities were outside. Water for laundry was boiled in a large, black iron pot in the back yard. Clothes were rubbed on a rub board, boiled in the black pot then rinsed in large galvanized tubs. These same tubs were used for Saturday night baths. The children attended the Oneonta school for a few years then moved back to their father’s ranch in the Tia Juana Valley. Peavy recalls that when he was a child, the sanitarium was still there as well as several homes and a vacant house or two. There was Davis house, Holderness house and Kern house, among others. Hollis Peavy lives with his wife Pansy, in a modern home a few blocks from the old town. He still owns 80 acres in the Tie Juana Valley where he has some cattle. The water has become too salty for many crops. The Peavys have children, grand-children and great grandchildren who have attended schools in the South Bay Union School District. Peavy tells of a subdivision called Banta which was situated west of Oneonta. The water company built a four inch pipe from Coronado Avenue, Imperial Beach to Banta subdivision to furnish it with water. Only one house has ever been built there. Many people came after WWI inquiring about the town and looking for the lots they had bought in the subdivision. Newell J. Peavy, father of H. H. Peavy, is said to have hauled cement and lumber for the first house built in 1903 at the end of First Street, Imperial Beach, by subdivider and builder Frank J. Cullen. Peavy was always interested in mechanical things. He built a Wave Motor Machine about 1910 and frequently would go to watch the Edwards Wave Motor Machine that was installed on the old Imperial Beach pier. The Edwards machine was supposed to produce enough power for lighting all Imperial Beach but it was not successful. H. J. Peavy owned a 115-acre ranch in the valley and in addition, he leased several hundred acres on which he raised alfalfa hay, com, sugar beets, barley, oats and cattle. With the assistance of his boys, the produce was hauled by mule drawn wagons to markets in Old Town, San Diego. Later on, trucks were used for this. The road through Palm City into town was not paved until after 1930. A sideline of the Peavy family was a government contract for patroling the MexicanAfrican Border fence, to make sure that it had not been cut. H. N. Peavy tells that he would take turns with his brother at checking the fence. He would ride horseback along the fence from the ocean to the Otay mountain. This had to be done at least once each month, the contract paid five dollars a month. Mt. Olivet cemetery established 1899, is situated a short distance from Oneonta. Hollis Monroe Peavy, along with several others, paid for lots at ten dollars each land got together $400 to purchase two acres of land for the cemetery. H. M. Peavy took care of the cemetery until his death then his son, M. J. Peavy was in charge until he died. Now, Hollis N. Peavy is trying to get the cemetery cared for when he is no longer able to care for it. The cemetery has been fenced to prevent vandalism; some persons had been picnicing there and leaving behind their trash. (Elliot, 1976, pp. 50-52)

1895/01 – Third greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 38,000 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1895/01/23 – D. L. Kretsinger, who owns a ranch at Nestor, visited the Tia Juana valley yesterday. “It is a most desolate sight,” he said upon his return. “The whole face of the valley, for almost the entire two miles across, is covered with black sediment from three to six inches thick, and as one passes from ranch to ranch the sight is discouraging in. the extreme. Yet in spite of that, the flood victims are cheerful, and are preparing to move back upon their land and make the best of the disaster. The Tia Juana river has acted during this flood in the most unaccountable manner, branching suddenly at places into three or four new channels, and sometimes leaving the old one altogether. The bridge across the river near Mrs. Hetherington’s ranch is now almost high and dry, and the river has cut a new channel forty rods south, between her place and the Kerns ranch. On some ranches there is not enough mother soil left to put a hat on. The ground is either out into great ditches or is piled full of sand heaps.” ( The San Diego Union, Jan. 23, 1895 )

1897/09/14 – The Oneonta sanitarium burned to the ground Monday morning, the only things saved being a few small articles of furniture. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it is thought to be the work of an incendiary. The structure was built in 1887 and cost $19,000. The property was owned by Mrs. Elizabeth B. Brewster, but was mortgaged to a Mr. Tryon for $4,000 and insured for $5,000 in the Caledonian Insurance Company. The furniture was valued at $1,500 but was not insured. (The San Diego Union)

1899/05/21 – Newell J. Peavy, age 21, a native of Maine and resident of Oneonta, married Rita L. Rios, age 26, native of California and resident of Jamul. Also, Frank Peralta age 23 married C. R. Machado age 19, both residents of Oneonta. ( The San Diego Union )

1900 – David Smallcomb was born 1863 in Illinois. He came with his father, John Smallcomb, to the Tijuana Valley in the 1890s and is listed in the Census of 1900.

1900 – James A. English is well and favorably known in Nestor as a contractor and builder and his efforts have been valuable factors in the general business development of the town. He came to Nestor in 1899 and constructed a fine home for himself on Palm avenue beside residences for the Tracy, Moore and Semenza families, the Palm Avenue schoolhouse, the Moore store and the Peavey and Wall pumping plants, his buildings being all substantial in construction and attractive in design. Mr. English is a man of enterprise and marked force of character and throughout his business life has made good use of the opportunities which his ability has commanded, being numbered today among the successful and prominent business men of his locality. In 1898 he married Miss Ada Cook, a native of England, and they became the parents of seven children: Ruth, Frank, Rose, John, Clark, Emily and Ada, all born in San Diego county. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 313-314.)

1902 – Lincoln Moore, founder of the section of the town of Nestor known as Palm Avenue and since 1902 one of the leading factors in its business development, was born in Wisconsin and came to San Diego in 1886 working for the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1902 he came to Nestor, having previously purchased five acres of land fronting on National avenue. This he divided into twenty-eight lots, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, and developed and improved the property, selling it to investors. From this beginning has grown the thriving section of Palm avenue, which stands as a monument to Mr. Moore’s resourceful business ability, his recognition of favorable opportunity, his energy and his business enterprise. He opened the first store in the subdivision and conducted it successfully for eight years, during which time other business enterprises sprang up and prospered. Stores and houses have been erected upon the lots, Mr. Moore continuing his active interest in the welfare of the section, which is today one of the most attractive and flourishing parts of Nestor. Mr. Moore has recently completed a new two-story business block upon a busy corner and has other important projects under contemplation. He is a member of the Palm Avenue Commercial Club and this affords him a valuable field for his development work. His wife Alice Francisco is a native of California and a daughter of C. F. Francisco, a pioneer of San Diego county. They have two children, Charlotte and Mabel. Mr. Moore is well known in Nestor and throughout this part of San Diego county, where his enterprising and progressive spirit has gained him the widespread respect of many friends. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 296-297.)

1903 – One of the most successful and prominent men engaged in lemon growing in Nestor is J. M. Wills, who since 1903 has owned a fine ranch of five acres on Palm avenue. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, April 27, 1854, and in his childhood worked upon a farm. When he came to Nestor in 1903, he purchased a 5-acre lemon orchard on Palm avenue, whereon he has since resided and has made this one of the most productive fruit ranches in this vicinity. Some idea of the extent of his operations in the cultivation of lemons may be gained from the fact that for 80,000 pounds of his fruit he received $1600 in 1912 and from January 1 to September 1 of the same year he gathered 51,000 pounds of lemons of fine quality. He also has a large family orchard, which yields abundant crops every year. Mr. Wills uses the latest and most improved machinery to facilitate his work, the methods which he follows being practical and at the same time in keeping with ideas of progressive fruit growing. In 1876 Mr. Wills married Miss Sarah Brown, a native of Michigan, and they became the parents of seven children. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 314-315.)

1906 – Oscar Lehner moved to the Tia Juana Valley, where he purchased two ranches which he still owns, one comprising 43 acres on National avenue, while the other of 40 acres is near the county line on the Mexican border. The 43-acre property is splendidly developed, its improvements including a $1600 pumping plant with three-quarters of a mile of 10-inch water pipe and a quarter of a mile of cement ditch carrying eighty inches of water. He raises alfalfa on this property which will run $100 to the acre annually, and in 1912 he realized $1100 from fields which he cultivated without irrigation. He also operates three fumigating outfits for fumigating fruit trees, thus caring for over one hundred thousand trees each year. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 293-294)

1906/02/23 – Mrs. Ruth Peavy selling a store building for $100 in Oneonta. ( The San Diego Union )

San Diego Union, July 3, 1906

1906/07/03 – South Bay ad for South San Diego Company included map that showed proposed Imperial Beach pier, the Point of Rocks in the ocean at the border, the NC&O railroad from National City through Chula Vista and Otay and Nestor to Tijuana, and the route of the ferry boat from San Diego to the channel dredged at the southern end of the bay to connect with South San Diego. ( San Diego Union, July 3, 1906)

1908 – The building next to the Smokehouse is gone too, where once John D. Weatherbie, father of Pansy Weatherbie Peavy, worked as wagonmaster and blacksmith. John D. and Annabell Weatherbie came by covered wagon from Prince Edward Island, Canada to southern California in 1908. The old Weatherbie home was torn down several years ago to make room for the new Southwest High School which was built in 1971. (Elliot, 1976, pp. 58)

1909 – Rudolph J. Jaeger came to California in 1909 and settled in Nestor, where he lives the greater part of the time, enjoying the most equable climatic conditions in the country, and therefore in the world. His home is the old Keuck ranch, constituting a part of what was known as Helena Park. Mr. Keuck set out the trees twenty years ago and since his ownership Mr. Jaeger has made substantial improvements in building and equipment and has greatly increased the productiveness of the property. An electrical pumping plant has been installed and twenty-five inches of water developed. Thus his system of irrigation is perfect and is to a large extent responsible for the quality and abundance of his harvests. In 1912 his orchard produced four hundred and fifty thousand pounds of lemons. He ships his fruit through the Chula Vista Lemon Growers Association to the eastern market, where it commands a high price and ready sale. In 1910 Mr. Jaeger and his wife Edith have one son, Francis Bernard. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 360-361.)

1910 – The Census of 1910 list the following residents of the Tijuana Valley: Mary Schnell, 62, and son Harry, dairy ranch owners; John Schussler, 50, wife Ella and 4 daughters; Elbert Oberholtzer, 26; Albert Semenza, 25; Joseph Poggi, 20, and wife Rosie, and sons William and Joseph; Frank Mansir, 29, and wife Angarella, and son Roy; Harry Mansir, 33, and wife Rosario, and sons Alfred and Charles; Louis Parma, 28, and wife Anna, cattle stockman; Fred Wadham, 47, customs officer; Ober William, 62, and wife Cora, dairy owner.

1910 – The border would remain unfenced until 1910 when a barb wire fence with steel posts was installed from the coast to Otay Mountain. In 1871, the first officers were assigned to patrol the U.S. side of the border in San Ysdiro. Two years later in 1873, the first border customs building (no longer extant) in San Ysidro was built on the Mexican side of the border. ( San Ysidro Historic Context Statement Final, October 11, 2010)

1910 – August Lindgren, a native of Sweden, emigrated to America in 1868. His mechanical and inventive ability soon made itself evident and he concentrated his energies upon improvements in agricultural implements and upon new inventions along this line. He has taken out forty patents and has received many honors, gaining a gold medal at the St. Louis World’s Fair and a diploma at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. For over 39 years Mr. Lindgren was connected with the Moline Plow Company of Moline, Illinois, to the benefit of both parties concerned. He is the inventor of the famous Moline plow which has been exploited and sold by the company since 1871 and he has a life contract by which he receives a liberal sum each month in exchange for the exclusive selling rights to his invention. For a number of years he acted as inspector of the vast plant operated by the company at Moline, passing upon all goods made in the factory, but he has since resigned this position, although he still holds a large amount of stock in the enterprise. Mr. Lindgren has lived in San Diego county since 1910, when he purchased a 10-acre lemon ranch in Nestor. In the midst of his fine grounds stands his beautiful home, in which he is spending a more or less retired life, giving his attention to raising lemons. In 1876 Mr. Lindgren was united in marriage to Miss Victoria Stromesth, a native of Sweden, and to them nine children have been born: Alex, who is head of the mechanical department and who also acts as inspector of the Moline Plow Company; Florence, the wife of Ernst Blomquest; Hugo, who is traveling expert for the Moline Plow Company; George, a representative of the same concern in the Argentine Republic; Erne, the wife of Arthur Deneen; Orton, who travels through Indiana in the interests of the Moline Plow Company; and Willard, Leona and Claude, at home. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 316-317.)

1910/09/12 – Walnuts and pecans are being harvested in the Tia Juana valley. Mr. Yeomans of San Ysidro has imported Chilean melons and plans to start a tomato and vegetable canning factory. ( The San Diego Union )

1911 – Walter Stewart, 96, Tijuana Valley rancher and dairy farmer, came to South Bay 1911, held 500 acres until began selling 1948; died 1978 at age 96 ( Chula Vista Star-News, July 27, 1978. )

1912 – Edward Quincy Dyer has lived in Nestor since May, 1912, upon a beautiful 15-acre fruit ranch, where he is residing in comparative retirement, resting after a long, active and honorable career. For a number of years he was a dominating figure in state politics of Massachusetts, and well known in business circles of Boston. He was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in October, 1841, and engaged in the clothing business in Boston for twenty years and afterward was for eighteen years in the hardware business. From 1898 to 1902 he was a member of the board of selectmen of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and then turned his attention to state politics. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1902 and in the two terms during which he held office was a member of the mercantile committee, serving as its chairman in 1903. It was during his period of activity in this position that the subway bill was passed, under the provisions of which a subway beneath the city of Boston was constructed. He left the state in 1912 and settled in Nestor where he purchased the Hall lemon ranch of 15 acres, on Palm avenue. However, Mr. Dyer does not specialize in raising lemons, having a number of acres planted in oranges, apricots, peaches, plums, tangerines, loquats, figs and apples. He has been very successful in the cultivation of the latter fruit and recently picked from a small tree one apple which weighed one and one-half pounds. Mr. Dyer has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Mary S. Marshall, a native of Plattsburg, New York, who passed away leaving two children. He then married Miss Laura Marshall and they have become the parents of two sons, Edwin L. and Louis Quincy. He served in the American Navy during the Civil war. At the outbreak of hostilities, in 1861, he offered his services and was mustered on board the frigate Colorado. He was later transferred to the sloop of war Pensicola and was in the thick of the battle at New Orleans. He was mustered out with honorable discharge on the 30th of June, 1862, after fourteen months of active service. Mr. Dyer keeps in touch with his comrades of fifty years ago through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. (Smythe, San Diego And Imperial Counties, 1913, pp. 323-324.)

1916/01/14-28 – The two weeks of rain produced the greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 75,000 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1916/01/31 – The rain total for the month was 7.56 inches, a record amount until surpassed in 1993. ( San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan. 18, 1993. )

1916/03/09 – The U.S. military presence at the border was increased when Mexico erupted into revolution. After General Francisco “Pancho” Villa conducted a cross-border raid on Columbus , New Mexico, on March 9, 1916, the Army established a camp in San Diego County, near Monument No. 1. The Army expanded its uses of the camp named “Border Field,” but it was the Navy, after World War I, that began buying up the entire southwest corner of the United States. The Navy added an additional 245 acres in 1941 and constructed several buildings and bunkers. (Carter, 2011. )

1916/07/11 – Camp Hearn was established by the Army, July 11, 1916, at the junction of Silver Strand Boulevard and Palm Avenue on leased land at Imperial Beach, and occupied by the 3d Oregon Infantry. The camp was established by the start of Mexican Revolutionary troubles in 1916 that continued into 1920. The camp was named in honor of Major Lawrence J. Hearn 21st Infantry. In August 1918 by a detachment from the 25th Infantry Battalion was stationed at Camp Hearn until February 1919. From that date, besides being the headquarters of the Southern California Border District, a detachment from the 11th Cavalry was stationed there. On August 7, 1920 Camp Hearn was closed. The Army also established the Palm City Border Camp during the Mexican Revolutionary period 1916-1920. (Hinds, “San Diego’s Military Sites,” 1986.)

1916/11/05 – Hollis M. Peavy died yesterday, native of Maine, age 86 father of Mrs. Emma L. Christoher of San Diego, Mrs. Florence E. Hall of Oregon, Webster J Peavy of Iowa, and Newel J. Peavy of Nestor. ( The San Diego Union, Nov. 5, 1916 )

1916/11/05 – Before 1916, Newell Jacob Peavy owned and farmed many acres of the land that Ream Field now covers. The 1916 flood washed out Peavy’s crops in the low land but the family continued to farm a part of the land until WWII. Hoilis Newell Peavy, age 73 in 1976, remembers ploughing there as a young man. He has watched Ream Field grow then decrease several times. Peavy reports that large packing crate type hangers with canvas curtains for doors were used at Ream Field to shelter planes during WWI. Several long one story barracks and administration buildings were erected during the war and some of these still in existence today. (Elliot, 1976, pp. 209)

1917 – “I was born on September 1, 1917, and attended one of the four two-story schools built in the southern part of San Diego County before 1900. It was the South Bay Union School. I attended in 1923 and then to Southwest Junior High in 1929. An interesting note about Southwest Junior High is that it was built on the site of the Highland Elementary School. My grandfather, Wyman Downs, came from Madison, South Dakota, to settle in Otay, and with him came his father, Judge Natham Hulsey Downs, in 1893. My grandparents Wyman and Cora Downs had four children: George, Wedworth, Rolin, and Gladys. My mother and father, George Downs and Lola Killingworth, first met at the Otay Baptist Church. In those years before the 1916 flood, the Baptist Church was located on the southwest corner from where it is located today. Dad was a school teacher at the Oneonta School for a short while, but turned to farming to make a living at what he liked best. He farmed at Otay, the Tia Juana Valley, Nestor, and at one time at Seely, which was located in the Imperial Valley. He was very successful in growing celery. Some of the best celery grown in the United States was in the Nestor area.” (by Florence Downs, Family, Friends, and Homes, 1991, p. 168. )

1917/12/21 – Panama King, a 715-pound hog, the property of N. J. Peavy of Otay, brought his owner $114.40 yesterday when sold to Charles H. Hardy. This hog is registered and is a remarkably fine specimen, which Hardy’s will put in the Christmas show window. Mr. Peavy says that at the time of the flood in 1916 the hog swam three miles in the Tia Juana river and came out at Imperial Beach. The animal has been fed on the waste from the household kitchen and corn. ( The San Diego Union )

1918 – Harry Mansir 1874-1971 Harry Henry E Mansir Birth 29 Sep 1874 in San Diego, San Diego, California, USA Death 3 Apr 1971 in Santee, San Diego, California, United States of America Father: Charles Granville Mansir 1832 ­ 1881 b. in Boston Mother: Mary Ann Rebecca BAKER 1843 ­ 1927 Marriage to Rosa S Mansir 1894 San Diego, CA – Passport application: 15 Jul 1918 Residence: Nestor, was born in Nestor Father deceased wants to visit Mexico, has extensive farming operations in Lower California last passport was 1917 includes photo – 1921 city directory Charles W. Mansir and wife Eula, rancher Charles, Jr., rancher Harry E., rancher John, rancher – 1929 city directory, Palm City Charles G. Mansir was dairyman Ralph Mansir was engineer William G. Mansir was blrmkr Voter registration: Harry E. Mansir 1901-06 Frank W. Mansir Charles W. Mansir 1918, 1922, 1924 ( Sadie Poyorena Garcia Martinez family tree, ancestry.com )

1919/07/27 – Under the name “Southern Syndicate” the following well-known men in San Diego have associated themselves together for the purpose of financing local enterprises, participating in outside syndicates‹and offering to the community sound Investments: JULIUS WANGENHEIM, President John S. HAWLEY, JR., Vice President D. F. GARRETSOff, President First National Bank Gk A. DAVIDSON, President Soutncm Trust & Commerce Bank F. J. BELCHER, JR., Vice President First National Bank J. W. SEFTON, JR., Vice President San Diego Sayings Bank DUNCAN MACKINNON, President XT. S. National Bank L I. IRWIN, President Citizens Savings Bank W. S. DORLAND, President Security Commercial & Savings Bank H. E. ANTHONY, Asst. Cashier Merchants National Bank E. W. SCRIPPS, TJnitexi. Press Associations GEO. W. MARSTON, “President The Marston Company MELVILLE KLAUBER, PresidentKiauoer ‘Wangenjhcim Company B. W. McKENZIE, President Western Metal Supply Company LEROY A. WEIGHT, Attorney. San Diego GEOEGE STURGES, Coronado PERCIVAL THOMPSON, Coronado WILMOT GRIFFISS, San Diego M. A. GRAHAM, San Diego F. S. JENNINGS, San Diego E. F. CHASE, San Diego T. E. BARKER, San Diego R. E. JENNEY, Attorney, San Diego GEORGE M. HAWLEY, San Diego L BOUVET, San Diego ( The San Diego Union)

1920 – As Tijuana became a tourist Mecca, the popularity of horseracing grew in the area. Breeders and owners kept horses at stables in the Tijuana River Valley. ( Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve History )

1920 – U. S. Census of 1920 for the Nestor Precinct includes the follwing residents: McBurney, 60, born in Canada, citrus rancher, wife Grace, on Palm Ave; George Kimball, 52, farmer, wife Rose, on National Ave; Wm Hunt, 58, woodworker carriage shop, wife Ida, on National Ave; Wm Wickens, 59, wife Louie, sons John and James, farmer, on National Ave; L. H. Turbiville, 43, wife Minnie, alfalfa farmer, on National Ave; J. E. Watson, 75, wife Tina, citrus farmer, on National Ave; Wm Wolfe, 45, wife Caroline, son Lewis and Lloyd, farmer, on Coronado Ave; P. M. Badillo, 51, wife Solina, hay farmer in Mexico; R. J. Jaeger, 37, wife Edith, citrus farmer, Lorenzo Semenza, 32, wife Hattie; George Zimmerman, 43, wife Lily, farmer; Dale Evans, 44, wife Anna, sons Harry and Ralph, daughter Ruth, farmer; H. E. Milburn, 44, wife Edith; Oscar Schnell, 49, wife Bertha; D. H. Oberholtzer, 75, wife Esther, son Elbert; Newell Peavey, 41, wife Opal, 6 sons, 2 daughters; George Loustalet, 49, born France, wife Alphonsine, 3 sons, 3 daughters; Nickolas Liatos, 31, Greece, wife Telma; Sophie Wolfe, 52, head, born Canada, sons Herman and Martin and Ernie, 3 daughters; Lyons Beamon, 39, wife Rose, farm manager, 9 boarders; Rudolph Semenberg, 76, Germany, wife Hester; P. A. Reynolds, 50, wife Evita; P. M. Burge, 52, wife Lulu; David Smallcomb, 56; Frank Thomas, 83, wife Martha; S. T. Holcomb, 55, wife Louise; Charles Mansir, 57, wife Eula sons Charles and William and Ralph; W. R. Coones, 57, wife Milie, sons Jared and William, bee keeper apiary; John Skoglund, 65, wife Anna, immig from Sweden 1872, farmer, living with partner E. Simonson, immig 1917 from Sweden; Herman Trobisch, 66 ;Payne Browne, 73, and wife L. D.; P. D. McCra, 54, immig 1883 from Canada, sister Annie; A. J. Russell, 63, wife Martha; John Subel, 63, immig 1892 from Austria; Cleveland Russell, 33, wife Marie; Quay Chong, 55, immig 1884 from China; James McCarthy, 40, wife Alice; S. D. Harris, 69, wife Sarah, farm manager; Eldon Link, 43, wife Blanche; M. K. Jones, 46, mother Roxanna; J. S. Tinley, 25, wife Anna; M. J. Tinkham, 67, wife Izerio; Iwaguchi Iguchi, 52, wife Mine; H. A. George, 46; Fred Wadham, 56; Florence Schultz, 68; Domincindo Yorba, 77; Egit Arakelian, 58, immig 1888 from Armenia, wife Madeleine; James Waller, 60. ( U. S. Census of 1920, California, San Diego County, San Diego Township, Nestor Precinct, District 236 )

1920 – Pedro Badillo listed living near Roe Carroll, William Conner, C. P. Paularena, Ruiah Bennerr, John Cattron, Emil Erickson, R. J. Jaeger, Herman Boensch, T. J. Scrivner, Emma Tracy, Albert Arnold. ( U. S. Census of 1920)

1921 – Before Suzies Farm was owned by the Eggers, it belonged to Percival Thompson, brother of Big Bill Thompson, former mayor of Chicago. The Thompson house in Coronado at 1156 Isabella Avenue at F Street is a historic landmark, designed by Irving Gill in 1911 for Percival and Mary Thompson. Percival Thompson, 68. retired Chicago stockbroker died in Coronado in 1943. (California Water & Telephone Company map 1936, and Coronado Water Company No. 1 well map, 1921.)

1924/01/21 – PM Dairy maintains two herds in Tia Juana Valley. ( The San Diego Union )

1924/09/25 – Jerome A. Bassity, of San Diego and San Francisco, today secured concessions to erect across the border from San Diego a resort to compete with Tijuana. Plans for a part of the concessions insure the opening of a race track there on July 4, 1925. for 100 days of racing. The terms specify a high class resort, replete with a million-dollar hotel, golf. polo. etc.. the year’s development to cost a total of $3,000,000. There will be no gambling. The development will be known as Aztec City and will consist of more than 5000 acres fronting on the border and on the Pacific ocean with a five-mile beach. The program is considered here as the first real capable attempt to develop border territory on a high-class basis. Negotiations will be opened for the Dempsey-Wills fight on July 4. Construction is to begin within 10 days. ( The San Diego Union, Sept. 25, 1924 )

1925 – Paul Smith came to this area in 1925 when the area population totalled 300 residents. He would become active in the oil business for the next 44 years. The area from West View School to Ream Field was used as herding ground by the Fioesch Dairy, with Joe Whitt serving as the herder. ( Imperial Beach Star-News, Feb. 1, 1962 )

1925/06/03 – Pending settlement of litigation over the ownership of Aztec City, so-called $5,000,000 amusement center site at Monument, two miles west of Tijuana, a contingent of soldiers arid police officers from the border town occupied the amusement site yesterday under orders from Mexico City to remain there until the questions, at issue are settled. Pedro Badillo who claims ownership of land under the assumption that possession is nine-tenths of the law. and who appealed recently to the Mexican government to recognize his right to the amusement site, was ousted when the soldiers marched in yesterday, although he is said to have declared in his appeal that he is an American citizen and will take recourse to American authorities, if his ownership is not allowed. Several groups are now contending in Mexico City for title to the land in dispute. Among these are four San Diego women. Mrs. Clara Sanchez, Mrs. H. Jauregui, Mrs. Maria S. Contreras and Mrs. Douglas Anderson. Jerome Bassity of San Francisco is not only contesting for title to the land, but he is trying, it was said yesterday, to regain concession rights at Aztec City which he lost several years ago to Pedro Irigoyen when he failed to obtain needed financial backing for the project. Irigoyen, who had proceeded to form a company for the exploitation of the amusement center, was killed about four months ago in an automobile accident at National City and Bassity has resumed negotiations for the return of the concession to himself. It now appears, according to those who have been watching developments in the case, that the Mexican government has decided upon a “hands off” policy for all claimants to the land until the matters in court nave been adjusted. Bassity, whose headquarters are in San Francisco, was expected in San Diego last evening, but up to a late hour had not arrived. ( The San Diego Union, June 3, 1925 )

1925/06/13 – According to a dispatch this morning from Mexico City, Luis Leon, secretary of agricullture, has ordered federal troops to Aztec City to enforce property rights of four San Francisco promoters, judged by the Mexican government to he owners of the concession. The action of Senor Leon ends long litigation over a so-called $5,000,000 enterprise to build a resort and race track just across the Mexican-United States boundary line and five miles distant from Tijuana, on the ocean front. Leon Kuttner, George Bowles, Leon Morris and Matt O’Brien are the San Franciscans financing the project, according to an announcement by F. Monteverde said to be in charge of arrangements with the Mexican government. ( The San Diego Evening Tribune, June 13, 1925. )

1925/08/02 – Preliminary construction is announced as under way in the development of Aztec City, which its promoters hope will become a second Monte Carlo. The picture at the top shows the guest house of the development corporation, soon to be completed. Center, left‹The hew American immigration office and the Mexican Immigration office. Inset‹ Jerome A. Bassity, promoter of the enterprise. Center, right‹International guest house. Lower, left‹Point of rocks on property. Lower, right Typical coast scene. Details of Aztec City Plans Announced by Jerome Bassity; To Build Race Track. Preliminary construction and development of water and electric systems have already been started for the new development project. Aztec city to be located just across the border and about 11 miles down the strand from Coronado. according to announcement made by the promoters yesterday. Details of the city, designed by its founders to become a second Monte Carlo, were explained by Jerome Bassity, director general of the corporation developing the property. The location is said to be Ideal for the big plans made for it. The property is situated in the extreme northwestern part of Mexico and is closer to San Diego than Tijuana. First actual construction work is on a series of roadways leading from the American side through the international gate, past the two recently-erected customs houses, one on the American side and one on the Mexican side, and up the winding roadway to the northern edge of the great mesa. Here a mission style guest house nears completion. It really is the first building to be erected in the planned city. The Cia de Luz Electrica y Fuerza Motriz, the same company that supplies Tijuana, is constructing the transmission lines carrying electric power from the American side, to Aztec City. This service will be established within the week. it is stated. A temporary water system already has been developed. A modern hotel of 500 rooms, a feature of which will be hot and cold sea water piped to each room, will be constructed at once, it is announced. A horse racing plant, which, it is promised, will be the finest on the continent, with a grand stand to seat 5000 persons, will also be started immediately. The race track will be the central unit of the development from which all other buildings and features will radiate. The plans call for completion of the race track and grandstands together with the hotel, to be ready for a 100-day meet beginning early in 1926, the promoters say. An associate of Jerome A. Bassity, promoter of the big development plan declared: “The success of Aztec City seems assured. All credit for this, all important development is due to the great genius of its promoter, Jerome A. Bassity.” Aztec City is of vital interest to the entire bay district, for with the completion of the race track, grandstand and hotel, there will come into being a great Mexican watering place that will attract thousands of people from all over the world. And with the ultimate development of the entire tract of 5060 acres there will rise a beautiful city of homes, hotels, amusement places and business institutions. Aztec City is the city that Bassity dreamed and the dream is coming true.” ( The San Diego Union, Aug. 2, 1925 )

1925/09/05 – Aztec City. A new and novel trip for the motorists is featured this week with one of the mighty Lincolns from the Powell Motor company, which was loaned to Nelson Roberts of The Tribune-Union auto department by Charles Powell. This is the border trail leaving San Diego and proceeding through Nestor, the highway makes a turn just below Nestor by an oil station. The motorist must leave the pavement at this point and take a good dirt road, and in a short tone the border trip is in progress. This road leads the tourist along the Mexican and American border for many miles and soon reaches the ocean, where Mexico and America join hands at the sea. The layout, taken by Roberts, shows some of the interesting scenes along the route. Top, Ieft is a building at Aztec City, about three miles from the ocean front. Top, right‹Two customs houses; the left one Is the American customs and the right one belongs to the Mexican government. Center, left‹The beach, with the wire fence dividing the two countries. Fishing is said to be very good at this point. Center, right‹The monument on the line. Erected by America and Mexico, this is about a quarter of a mile from the beach on a small hill. The iron fence surrounding the shaft was put up two years ago to keep people from carving initials and other marks on the shaft. Bottom picture is the mighty Lincoln from the Powell company which made the trip. This is an interesting journey. ( The San Diego Union, Sept. 5, 1925 )

1927/02 – Sixth greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 25,000 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1927/05/05 – A horse ranch was established on Monument Road, later the site of Southwest Feed & Grain at 2671 Monument Road. ( Report To The Hearing Officer, Conditional Use Permit No. 778487 And Coastal Development Permit No. 1241831 Southwest Feed & Grain Project No. 210874, February 19, 2014 )

1928 – The first and second graders in the area, attended school in the old schoolhouse in Palm City beginning in 1927 because the South Bay School was already becoming crowded. In 1928, people of the district were asked to vote for bonds in the amount of $32,000 to purchase a 10-acre tract located on the northwest corner of 19th Street and Coronado Avenue, and to build and equip a school. In May 1930 the new school was dedicated. It was electrically wired for heating also. The school was named Emory in honor of Brig. Gen. William Hemsley Emory who had used the site as his headquarters many years before. The little Palm City Schoolhouse was sold in 1930 for $1150. including the land. The South Bay Union School building, minus the bell, furnishings and equipment which could be used at Emory, was sold also. (Elliot, 1976, pp. 177)

1929 – Southwest Junior High School was built. The enrollment during its first year was 109 in grades 7-10. It was the only four-year junior high school in San Diego County. (Chula Vista Star, August 15, 1941)

1929 – Louis Shelton and family moved to Chula Vista in 1929, was a retail distributor and milk producer in the local dairy industry. His Bayview Dairy, and later, Arden Milk trucks were a familiar sight in Chula Vista. The Sheltons owned dairies in Nestor and Tijuana valley. Daughter Louise Shelton married Henry P. Piper of Otay Mesa and she worked as bookkeeper for the Chula Vista Vegetable Exchange. Son Thomas married Donna McCade and ran the Shelton ranch in Tijuana Valley until moving to Ramona. Sheldon ( Family, Friends, and Homes, 1991. )

1929 – The U.S. Eleventh Naval District acquired land near the border, calling it Border Field. It was used as a machine-gun range and airborne gunnery range.

1929/07/28 – “Lobster Inn” Auction Saturday, August 3, between Nestor and Palm City on the Main Highway to Tijuana. Restaurant and all Equipment to Go “As Is” One-Acre Lot ‹ Five-Room Home. One of the greatest business opportunities of the year. George Beech, owner of the famous “George’s Place” on the Coast Highway just south of Cardiff, is the owner, also, of “Lobster Inn.” He will sell the “Inn” to devote his entire time to “George’s Place.” The Restaurant Seats 68 in comfortable chairs; tables near windows which afford views of Mexico’s mountains. Borders highway to Tijuana; 200-foot frontage. One acre of rich soil. Ideal place for auto camp for visitors to Imperial Beach, Coronado Beach and Tijuana. Dining room 45×17 feet; concrete floor throughout; Baker Ice Plant and 10-foot celling, heavily Insulated on an sides and top: Ingle oil burner range; Johnson dish-washer; stock of cigars, Two ladles’ rest rooms, and one gentlemen’s and cigarettes; big electric sign out front; Five-room bungalow, in rear of restaurant, for proprietor or help to live in; bath; kitchen; decorated woodwork; double garage on lot; flowers; shrubs; fruit trees; plenty of garden space. Five minutes to grammar school. Free bus service to high school. You Should Know That the Tijuana Boulevard is one of the heaviest traveled roads in the state. More money and more luxurious automobiles pass the “Lobster Inn” on their way to Tijuana than any other highway west of Chicago. An auto camp here would be only 20 minutes, or less, from the south beaches and San Diego, and 10 minutes from Tijuana. This part of the county is prospering, and has a great future in store. The new railroad station at Palm City, fruit packing houses, gentlemen’s estates nearby and the Richfield aviation field are evidences of prosperity. Buy now, and reap the harvest of riches. DIRECTIONS‹Take the main Tijuana highway to Palm City; property just south of Richfield aviation beacon. ( San Diego Union )

1929/10/22 – The international water commission, composed of representatives of the Mexican and United States governments, met here today and resumed discussions of water divisions of t h e Rio Grande. Colorado and Tla Juana rivers, which flow on both sides of the international boundary. Today’s meeting was taken up entirely with organization work and there was no discussion of problems growing out of reclamation develop’ merit on the three rivers in question. The commission will continue discussions, begun In Mexico City, Aug. 20. The commission members were welcomed in the name of President Hoover by Joseph P . Cotton, undersecretary of state, who said that friendliness at former meetings Mexico City augured well for success of the meeting here. Fortunato Dozal, chairman of the Mexican commission, said his country’s representatives would take advantage of the amicable situation-to work for a future equitable settlement of the waters under dispute. It Is understood all meetings held here during the next several weeks will be executive. The commission is meeting forthe purpose of recommending a basis for a treaty which will distribute waters of these rivers between the two countries. It also is understood that the commissioners virtually have completed a survey and will present their findings at this meeting. (San Diego Union)

1929/12/25 – Aztec City Gate No 2. ad by the Tijuana National Chamber of Commerce. Best Way to Tijuana Now Through Gate No. 2 How to get there‹After passing National City and Palm City, go to Nestor over the paved road and there, instead of turning to the left, go straight, leaving the pavement and follow the dirt road entering Tijnana through new Gate No. 2. For passenger cars only; no merchandise allowed. Good Road‹No traffic jam Old Gate No.1 Still Open As Usual (San Diego Union)

1930 – Census of 1930 lists the following residents of the Tijuana River Valley: John Hull, 49, wife Pearl, son John, brotherinlaw Ralph Adams who was a photographer, on Monument Road; Thomas Croxall, 31, wife Susie, on Monument Road; Fred Coones, 44, wife Una, 23, 3 daughters, was a bee man with apiary, on Monument Road; Dave Smallcomb, 68, on Monument Road; William Coones, 68, wife Millie, son Wm Jr, on Monument Road; Charles Hotchkiss, 53, deputy county assessor, wife Angelica, son Albert, operator gas station, on the County Road; Maynae Huff, 52, female, on County Road; Jesus Ramiriz, 23, wife Rebecca, on County Road; Ray Cloud, 49, wife Jessie, son Roy Jr, on County Road; Harold Morrison, 20, on County Road; Samuel Brown, 64, wife Lillian, 51, on County Road; Harry Grocutt, 53, wife Mary, on County Road; Lola Bendett, 37, owner horse stables, on County Road; James Lee, 50, owner horse stables, on County Road; Record D. Evans, 55, wife Anna, daughter Ruth, sons Harry D. and Ralph W., mother Amanda R., 87, on County Road; Charles King, 31, wife Gracie, on County Road; John Wilbur, 72, wife Sadie, on County Road; Oscar Schnell, 59, wife Bertha, home worth $3600; Hugh Rose, 43, wife Helen, son Baldwin, daughter Helen, home worth $12,000, stocks and bonds salesman, on County road; Lingy Cody, 50, superintendent gravel pit, wife Nettie, on National Ave.; John Ford, 46, proprietor restaurant, wife Ethelyn, home worth $1500, on National Ave.; George Downs, 42, wife lola, daughters Florence and Georgia, on F St off National Ave.; Hifmi Hondo, 46, Japanese, wife Hicayo, on County Rd.; John Brannon, 58, wife Dollie, son John Jr, horse stables, home worth $2000, on National Ave.; Charles Bowman, 53, wife Josephone, 68, home worth $7000, auto painter, on National Ave.; Irving Hanchett, 56, wife Elizabeth, farmer, on National Ave.; Hans Peterson, 53, wife Clara, home worth $3200, from Denmark, stockman, on Peterson road; Harold Golze, 39, wife Besse, home worth $2400, hotel Jockey Club auditor, on Peterson road; Victor Jacquot, 56, wife Birdie, caretaker, on Peterson Rd.; Marvin Rogers, 49, wife Ora, dairy farmer, on County Road; William Lawler, 63, wife Mary, horseman racing stables, on County Road; Vincent Payne, 50, home worth $5000, operator slot machines, on National Ave.; James Lather, 28, wife Pauline, 2 sons, father Francis M. Lathers, home worth $3500, dairy, on Harris Ave.; Isuke Iguchi, 55, wife Asano, son Mitsurie and son Isen, on Harris Ave.; Robert Egger, 29, on Harris Ave.; Ejiro Inouye, 56, wife Ume, on County Road; William Baumgart, 34, wife Verla, on County road; Albert Floersch, 61, wife Ida, dairy farm, on Leon Ave.; John Lee, 28, wife Orpha, operator dairy farm, on Leon Ave.; Daisy George, 52, female, 3 daughters and son, on National Ave.; Hubert George, 57, on National Ave.; Mike Ozaki, 30, on County Road; Yonetaro Yamaguchi, 37, wife Takino, on County Road; Wally Hall, 22, wife Norma, son Walter, hog farm, on County Road; Lorenzo Semenza, 42, and wife Harriet, sons Norman and Lorenzo jr, farmer, on County Road; Mike Iguchi, 33, wife Mitsuko, on County Road; Roy Guinn, 53, home worth $6500, gas and electric ground man, on Leon Ave.; Charles Mielke, 44, home worth $5900, stockroom checker, on Leon Ave.; Glenn Gilbert, 27, mushroom farm, on Leon Ave.; Oliver G. Otto, 41, wife Pearl, grocery store, on F St.; Mark Cattron, 43, farmer, on Leon Ave.; Butler Bronson, 25, dairyman, on National Ave.; Jimper Imaizumi, 46, and wife Fusa, on Monument Road; Eula Mansir, 50, and son Ralph, on Monument Road; Albert Semenza, 45, house worth $3000, on Monument Road; Rosalio Mendoza, 40, wife Hortensia, 4 sons, 2 daughters, 2 brothers, on Monument Road; Ramon Morena, 30, wife Julia, on Monument Road; Fred Dyer, 61, wife Amanda, poultryman, on Monument Road; George Foelschow, 36, wife Eva, veterinarian city health dept, on Monument Road; Harold Parks, 27, wife Olive, dog hospital, on Monument Road; William La Fond, 44, wife Bessie, poultryman, on Monument Road; Mortimer Bigelow, 38, wife Elizabeth, owner horse stables, on Monument Road; Skillington Holderness, 41, wife Ruby, on Leon Ave.; Floyd Sniff, 50, powderman at gravel pit, wife Minnie, son Butler runs steam shovel, on Leon Ave.; George Ahlborn, 41, house worth $15,000, born in Hawaii; Harry Bickford, 60, poultryman, on County road; William Ellis, 71, poultryman, on Coronado Ave.; Joe A. Jackson, 21, wife Willamay, sons Willard and Joseph jr, farm laborer, on Country road; Ives Magoffin, 39, wife Della, farmer, on Country road. (U. S. Census of 1930)

1930/05/04 – Emory school dedicated at 1915 Coronado Ave. The new Emory school of the South Bay Union school district, dedicated Friday night, is likely to become a new civic center for the entire south bay community, it became known today when trustees for the district announced that the large auditorium, in the new building will be used frequently for public gatherings in the interest of neighborhood development. The new school is on a 10-acre sits that years ago was headquarters for Brig. Gen. William Hemsley Emory, who is responsible for the school district, and a large part of San Diego county, being within the boundaries of the United States. When an international dispute arose between Mexico and the United States as to whether the boundary line should be where it now is or along a line touching the coast in the vicinity of Del Mar. General Emory played the leading part in a conflict that resulted in the selection of the present international line. Details of the historic story were told by Dr. Lewis Lesley at dedication of the school. One of the features of the program was presentation of a radio to the school by S. S. Tralnor, who had deeded the school property to the district. Mrs. Goldie MacGregor. former president of the South Bay Parent-Teacher association, presented a fireplace, a memorial for Mrs. Gertrude Tracy, who had been an active leader in the organization and a former president. Miss Ada York, county superintendent of schools, presided at the dedication, and among the speakers were Charles A. Shaver, principal of the school: Mrs. Minnie B. Sniff, clerk of the district, who accepted presentation of trees and shrubs from the Parent-Teacher association and from George A. Downs, a member of the school board. (The San Diego Union)

1930/12/05 – The Lobster Inn at Nestor, one of the best known eating places in the South Bay district, reopened for business Wednesday evening of last week. The place is owned by Geo. Beech of Cardiff, and managed hy Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Silversteln. The Sllverstelns have had a great deal of experience In running cafes of the better class and the Lobster Inn will continue its reputation under their management as one of the best eating places on the Tia Juana boulevard. ( San Ysidro Border Press)

1931/01/23 – The property owners at Gate No. 2 are determined in their efforts to have the San Ysidro Port of Entry moved to that place was again demonstrated Wednesday, when a group of representative citizens went into conference with W. H. Ellison and other U. S. officers at the line. San Ysidro was not represented at the meeting. What actually took place has not been made known, but it is understood that immediate efforts will be made to have Gate No. 2 declared the official port. It is also reported that John P. Mills, subdivider and real estate promoter, is planning a new townsite near Gate No. 2. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1931/01/30 – Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Silberstein, formerly manager of the Lobster Inn at Nestor, have purchased the neighboring establishment. Ford’s Wayside Inn, and intend to re-open it for business under the name of Sara Ann’s Log Cabin. The Log Cabin will make a specialty of real Southern cooking. There will be no cover charge and dancing at all times . Another specialty of the Log Cabin will be real New Orleans barbecued ham sandwiches. The Sihersteins have had wido experience in managing cafes, and expect to make thier future home on the property of their new inn. The already attractive grounds are to be further beautified by the addition of a thousand rose hushes from the neghhorhood nursery. which is to be a part of the property. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1931/10/09 – Nestor News: Mr. and Mrs. Lorenza Semenza of Nestor entertained at their home recently with a birthday party, honoring the tenth birthday anniversary of their son, Norman. The home was decorated in pink and green. Games were enjoyed during the evening, after which refreshments were served to the following invited guests: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wolfe and F. A. Wolfe of East San Diego; Mr. and Mr. Herman Wolfe and son, Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walbric and daughter, Jane; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Warren and daughter, Rena and son, Vernon, all of National City; Mr. and Mrs. William Poggl and Mrs. Rose Poggl of Chuia Vista, the host and hostess and the honoree. Many lovely gifts were presented to Norman. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1932/03/23 – Collector of Customs William H. Ellison announced today that effective next Monday the No.2 gate at the international border, San Ysldro, will be closed permanently. Authorization for Ellison to close the gate has been received from Seymour Lowman, assistant secretary, United States Treasury. A new 100-foot highway, just completed, is wide enough to accomodate traffic to and from Mexico, and with Its completion the No. 2 gate will no longer be needed. Ellison said that the gate would be closed Sunday night at the termination of the day’s border crossing activities. ( The San Diego Evening Tribune, Mar. 23, 1932 )

1932/12/01 – Nestor News: Boy Scout Troop No. 49 held a Court of Honor in the Nestor church November 19. Bskild Heidekker was the chairman of the court. Frank Carroll, Gilbert Frayo and Bob Hopkins received second-class badges for dairying; Emlyn Owens received a merit badge for civics. Scoutmaster Powers of Troop No. 1. San Diego, and several of his Scouts presented the troop with an American Flag. After the Court of Honor was overa business meeting was held, at which Scoutmaster Powers explained how Troop 1 admits new Scouts. Edgar Carroll and Miss Edith Harinenlng of Tascon, Arizona, spent last week end with Edgar’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Carroll in Nestor. Mrs. Carroll returned to Tuscon with them for a week’s visit. The ten acres north of George Down’s ranch in Nestor, have been sold. The new owner plans to drill a well and build a five-room house. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1932/12/01 – Nestor News: Mrs. George Downs has received word that her brother, Earl Killingworth, formerly of Palm City, has been instantly killed in an automobile accident in Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hotchkiss and son Albert of Monument have been visited by Mr. Hotchkiss’ mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Hotchkiss, his sister Mrs. Clara Zuck, and his niece Ruth Zuck, all of Riverside. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1932/12/08 – Otay Notes: Luckie S. Waller, local orchardist has been busy the past few weeks, in having his property, west of the highway, graded and piped in preparation for the future planting of young lemon trees this winter. Part of this section is already in oranges. Fred Norton of Brawley spent Monday and Tuesday visiting his son, Phillip Norton, who is staying with Mr. and Mrs. A. Bowman, at Fairfield Acres. Mr. Norton was operated on several months ago at Mayo Bros. hospital, for a dislocated hip, and Is now convalescing at Brawley. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1932/12/22 – Imperial Beach News: An attempt was made to rob the Three Red’s Restaurant in Imperial Beach. The would-be burglar escaped. Walter Smith is staying with Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hull in Monument. He is much better after his stay of almost a year in Paradise Sanitarium. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/01/05 – Otay Notes: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson of Sunnyslope ranch entertained during the holidays Mr. and Mrs. Will Petersen,Walter Johnston of Eucanto, Mrs. Ellen Copeland, Everett Copeland and John McClure of Escondido, Cannelita and Dorothy Johnson of Otay. Mr. McClure Sr., is 91 years old and is very spry and Jolly and enjoys the visits to his nephew, Albert Johnston, about twice a year. The Otay PTA provided twelve large boxes of food to deserving families in this district. The organization had expected to fill only the basketshut through the generosity of Mr. Fenton. owner of the Western Salt Works and the Otay gravel plant who provided the roasts, beans and several other articles for each box made it possible to extend the Christmas treat to many other families. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/01/05 – Oscar F. Schnell Dies at San Ysidro Home. The Rev. Charles L. Barnes San Diego officiated at the funeral services of Oscar P. Schnell. 62, resident of San Diego county for more than 37 years, on Wednesday. Schnell died Monday at his ranch home near San Ysidro. He was the brother of H. F. Schnell. vice-president of the Greenwood Cemetery Association. He came to San Diego with his parents in 1888. The family lived there until 1900 and then moved, remaining elsewhere until 1907. In that year Schnell returned and settled on the San Ysidro ranch, where he had lived since. Besides his brother, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bertha E. Schnell. his mother. Mrs. Mary Schnell. and a sister, Mrs. P. A. Stevens, all of San Diego. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/01/12 – Imperial Beach News: Oil men were in Imperial Beach again this week from Los Angeles looking the field over with the intention of starting drilling operations in the near future. It is generally believed that oil in paying quantity will some day be fouud in the Imperial Beach district. This is the third group of oil men who have visited this town in the past two months. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/01/26 – Place Number on Your Houses and All Stores For your own convenience and those of your friends and the public in general you should number your residence at once. Information as to numbering can be obtained from the local San Ysidro Irrigation District. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/01/26 – An important real estate deal was closed Tuesday when Mrs. Blanche Beyer Cooper sold her beautiful home and three lots to Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Palmer, well-known race-horse owners. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer will take possession of their property, and Mrs. Cooper will move to Sun Diego to make her future home. She is one of the pioneer residents of San Ysidro and has a large circle of friends who sincerely regret her departure but wish her much happiness in her future plans. Through the generosity of Mrs. Cooper and her former husband, Mr. Frank B. Beyer, San Ysidro acquired the Public Library and the Civic Center. These two public buildings cost more than $50,000, and stand out as monuments of good citizenship of Mrs. Cooper. This was not the only good deed that Mrs. Cooper aud her former husband did for San Ysidro. They also offered to donate a valuable 5-acre tract In tbe heart of the town for a Junior High School. But a small group of local “politlcians” preferred to see the school located in the sticks near Nestor. ( San Ysidro Border Press)

1933/02/09 – In the passing of Miss Stella Messenger last week, San Ysidro lost one of its pioneer settlers. Miss Messenger’s father was one of the first merchants of San Ysidro and conducted a grocery store at the border. It was washed out by the flood of 1895. Miss Messenger was one of the first white girls in this part of the country and attended school in this section, the only school house, being on the highway between what is now Nestor and Monument. Many here regret her passing and offer condolence to her family. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/09 – Imperial Beach News: J. P. McGinn, 60, Agua Caliente horseman, died on Sunday afternoon as he was being taken to Elwyn Sanitarium, National City. Mrs. Lucille P. McGinn, wife of the dead man, said her husband was taken suddenly ill at their Imperial Beach home. With two friends she started with him for Elwyn sanitarium, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival there. Coroner Ginn said an autopsy would be performed to determine if death was from natural causes. Shortage of ready cash had made it difficult for local business men to make, change for tourists aud beach visitors. Since the warm weather came, many people have visited here and camped along the strand. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/09 – The latest report from oil promoters in Los Angeles state that all plans for drilling for oil at Imperial Beach have been suspended, at least for the time being. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/16 – Nestor News: Albert Hotchkiss of Monument made a business trip to Los Anseles last week. He returned home on Monday. Boy Scoot Troop 49 is re-registering this month. The troop committee tot the next year will be John M. Anderson, Plen Mathews, Owen Owens, Verne Sanders and Charles W. Stream. Mark and Walter Kennick are new boys joining for the first time. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/23 – Palm City News: Mrs. Mary Chesbro received, word from Mrs. Charles Wright, formerly of this district, saying that neither she nor any of her family had been Injured in the earthquake. Mr. and Mrs. Bolce of Long Beach are visiting Mrs. Boice’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samdhal. They are fortunate that they were not in Long Beach at the time of the earthquake. Mr. and Mrs. Finney and family of Idaho have moved on the Hull ranch in Monument. They have leased six acres of land and Intend to farm it. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/23 – Otay Notes: Two graders and tractors are working to improve the Mesa roads which everyone appreciates. The asphalt plant located in Otay and formerly owned by the Spreckels Commercial Company, has been sold to a San Francisco concern. The plant which was built during the end of the paving boom, was operated only for a short time and since then it has been closed down. The San Francisco company expects to dismantle the plant and move it to a location near Los Angeles, where they have more demand for the patented pavement material. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/03/30 – Imperial Beach News: Mrs. Blanche Cooper is now occupying her beautiful home here. The Cooper home is one of the largest homes here and the grounds surrounding the place are beautiful. Local service stations report business good. A heavy traffic daily from Coronado to Tijuana keeps the gasoline salesmen busy. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/04/13 – Nestor News: Mrs. Ruby Holderness and Mrs. Grace Horan were re-elected to the Emory school board by a large majority. All residents of the Emory district who plan to enter exhibits in the flower show to be held at San Ysidro on May 2nd, should co-operate with the Emory PTA in order that the district may be well represented in the exhbits. Mrs. Frank Gottwall and daughter, Lorraine, and Mr. Green, all of National City, spent Saturday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hotchkiss in Monument. The visitors, together with other friends, spent last summer camping at Monument Beach and intend to do so again this coming summer. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/04/20 – Otay Notes: Edward B. French, United States mounted inspector has started a large cattle ranch on the Otay Mesa. Mr. French keeps only pedigreed stock. He also has a fine string of pedigreed horses. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/04/20 – Mrs. M. Mclntyre opened The Manvel Cafe Monday and Is now serving excellent meals at reasonable prices to the public. The place was formerly known as Jeanette’s Kitchen. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/04/27 – Nestor News: Walter Smith is going to live with Emil Bruhlmeier in his Monument home. Mr. Smith has been staying with Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hull for several months. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/05/04 – Otay Notes: Rumors of oil well drilling will start soon on the on the Will Wolfe ranch. A red pennant denoted the new location. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/05/18 – Nestor News: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ballard and family of Monument recently gave a party for the young folks of Monument and several of their friends from San Diego. Isao Iamizumi of Monument represented Sweetwater High School la the 100-yard dash in the preliminaries of the Southern California track meet held at State College. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1933/06/08 – Nestor News: The Emory Grammar School held Its closing exercises Friday morning. The present teaching staff will be retained next year with the exception of Mrs. Albright. Her place will be taken by Miss Gladys Hayden of San Diego. Butler Sniff came to Nestor from Mountain Springs on Sunday to spend the day with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Sniff. The well on the Caltec ranch caved In. On the same day the well on the Gilman place also caved In. The two ranches will be without water until the wells can be cleaned out and new curbing put In. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934 – As long ago as 1934 the two governments met to conduct a survey of “the Tijuana river sewage problem.” One solution, a tunnel to the sea, was deemed too expensive at $60,000. (“A Partition of Paradise,” 1991)

1934 – the International Boundary Commission (IBC) was instructed by the United States and Mexican governments to cooperate in the preparation of a report on the Tijuana sewage problem.

1934/01/26 – Oil, Black Gold, Magic words, words that conjure dreams of wealth and independence, are fastening their grip upon the heart of this border territory. It in not words alone that is kindling hope in a people fighting to hold a bit of the property of the freedom of Tijuana and prohibition. Action is there, oil activity, and the determination to live on and prosper, and the hope that days even palmier than the hectic prosperity of the recent past are just around the corner. Three miles west of San Ysidro, derrick has been erected for San Diego Gas and Petroleum corporation’s No. 1, and machinery is on the ground and being installed. The San Diego Gas and Potroleum has worked quietly, getting into the field first with leases on approximately 1,100 acres. The Saratoga Oil company is seeking leases on 158 acres adjoining. The Texas company is reported to have a leasehold on Otay Mesa, as is also the Standard. Reports come from Mexico City that both Standard and Dutch Shell companies are seeking leases in the Tijuana river bottom south of the International line where the Carlos Alicorn organisation already has a lease holding of thousands of acres. San Diego Gas and Petroleum expects to spud In its No. 1 well not later than February 15. This activity, coupled with the necessity for something to bolster the business of San Ysidro because of the Tijuana free trade zone, San Ysidro men, led by Edd Terrill, J. S. Hayes, Alonzo Judd, Dr. O. W. Huff and Patrick J. Young, geologist, hope to unite and offer their combined holdings to an oil company. Meeting with heads of every organization in San Ysidro and immediate vicinity Thursday, the San Ysidro Oil Leasing association was organised with Young as president; Ed Baker, rancher, vice president; Judd, secretary, and H. Sidney Welr, hardware merchant and president of the San Ysidro Business Men’s club; Joseph Payson, printer and president of the Border Improvement association; Ed Cahill, realtor and rancher, and Dr. Huff as members of the board of directors. A mass meeting is planned for next week, when this committee will lay its plan before the citizens. Roughly, the land to he offered will follow the boundaries of the Irrigation district which, according to Young, embraces a half spots beneath which oil is almost a certainty, “The location of oil is never a certainty,” he explains. But there are several spots where tests indicate oil. The San Diego Gas and Petroleum has one of them, but there are locations I would say are better, and those locations lie within the irrigation district, almost all of them.” Hayes says it is to the advantage of every property owner to get together and be ready. The property owner has nothing to lose. All will share alike under the plan the commlttee will propose. I. I. Malone, who will superintend the drilling and hopes to bring in the discovery well, is from the Kettleman Hills field. He and his crew have started assembling and installing the machinery, which is all new. It includes 150-horsepower boilers and rotary. The derrick is a 138-foot structure. “We know there is oil there; and we know, too, that it is deep,” says Dr. J. Francia White, president of the San Diego Gas and Petroleum corporation, “and we are ready to go 6,500 feet. We are told and have reason to believe we will be in oil at around 5,200 feet, but we ham have to go deeper. We feel our geological and geophysical indications are excellent in addition to showings of oil seepages in the entire South Bay district.” Besides Dr. White, directors at the company are J. E. Pettijohn, Charles P. Robinson, Kan. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn, Nathan F. Baranov, Col. Douglas Settle, Wirt Francis, Robert R. Hamilton, Frank O. Wells, R. L. Morrison and Carl W. Switters. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/03/09 – Minna Gombell, motion picture actress, is to break the bottle of champagne with which the bit of San Diego Gas and Petroleum Well go. 1, which is to be spudded in Sunday is to be christened. Confirmation of the appointment was received last night by George Wilson general manager of the company. “Her acceptance, of course, is contingent upon studio call, but if she can come she will be accompanied by other motion picture celebrities, among whom we hope will be Thelma Todd. Wirt Francis is to be master of ceremonies. Capt. Otto Langer of the state highway patrol is preparing to handle a crowd of perhaps 5,000 persons. He and his men will direct traffic and auto parking.” Rain on Sunday is now the only thing that can stop the spudding in at 2 o’clock of San Diego Gas and Petroleum company’s No. 1 well in the Tijuana river bottoms three miles west of San Ysidro. Unless of course it rains continually from now on. Declaration and qualification are from George Wilson, general manager of the company, and L. L. Malone field superintendent. And then, only the bottom of the hole, which will be more than a mile deep, will reveal whether the South Bay district is to become another Kettleman Hills or Signal Hill field, or whether all the tests known to geology and the oil trade are wrong. The spudding in, is to be accompanied by an elaborate ceremony to which every man, woman and child is invited. It was set for last Sunday but several factors combined to cause the delay, neither of which alone, would have necessitated the postponement according to Wilson. There were four days of rain during which the men could not work. In an effort to make up for this loss of time the crew was doubled and a night shift put on. But the two 776-barrel tanks did not arrive. Nor did the power company get its power line built to the well. “There isn’t but one chance now, the weather, that we won’t spud in Sunday at 2 o’clock,” Wilson said Wednesday. Steam was turned into the pipes yesterday and the entire rig was tested, the mammoth rig is ready for its mile deep quest for the black gold which is expected to turn the entire South Bay region into a boom area. The conductor box is set and ready to receive the first stroke of the bit which will ream a 24-inch hole out of the top surface of the earth. While the drill hole will be a 22-inch hole, the other two inches at the top are necessary to provide play for adjustments, it is explained. The cables are strung and the drum sits like a huge hound under leash straining to be loosed for the chase. The boilers have been adjusted and lie in waiting for that first head of steam which will go rolling into power to drive that bit ever downward. How long will it take to drill? No one knows. With no trouble, that is to say, no caves, no salt water fills, no loss of tools in the hole, no “fishing,” the hole should be spouting oil in from 90 to 120 days. There are too many ifs to make a prediction. While the plans for the ceremony are not complete, the program will include addresses by men prominent in the community and leaders in the movement to develop the bottoms into an oil field. Until 2 o’clock, when the christening ceremony will begin all visitors, and the company and workers are preparing for a tremendous crowd, will be invited to inspect the derrick, view the bits, cables and conductor box, the boilers and tenks. During the ceremony, however, none will be permitted on the derrick floor. The christening ceremony will be the breaking of a quart bottle of San Diego county champagne over the conductor box. That will be the signal for the huge bit to start its mile-deep search for black gold, oil, wealth, boom for San Diego county’s South Bay district. Who will break the bottle, however, has not been decided. Speeches are scheduled by Charles W. Stream, state assemblyman whose home is in the South Bay district; John Forward, mayor of San Diego, and T. LeRoy Richards, county supervisor, from the South Bay district, and officials of the company. To reach the well, follow the National avenue route toward Tijuana, but instead of making the turn to the left just beyond Nestor, continue on south on the road to the old No. 2 gate across the International line. A sign will tell where to turn to the right. However, the sign isn’t necessary for at almost any point along that road beyond the first tall clump of trees the derrick is plainly visible. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/03/23 – With more than 400 feet of hole at San Diego Gas and Petroleum well, No. 1, in the Tijuana river bottoms three miles west of San Ysidro, the crew this week-end is laying 300 feet of surface line. Spudded in March 11, the first 90 feet of hole went in in a very few hours. Then the bit hit boulder formation, a cluster of flint rocks more than 40 feet deep, through which it required more than a week to drill. The rocks were not bedded tightly so the bit could eat its way through. They were loose and shifted with every stroke of the rotary. The first casing, 300 feet of it, went in early this week and was set. This means the actual beginning of the well as an oil well instead of a hole in the ground. It means preparation for the tremendous depth to which the crew, working 24 hours a day, must drill to reach the oil pool tests show lies below 4,800 feet. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/10/05 – Nestor Well Is Down 5,592 Feet; Deepest Ever Drilled In S. D. County. The formation being taken from the well which San Diego Gas & Petroleum corporation is drilling on Holderness ranch, Tijuana valley, is the oldest ever penetrated in drilling any California well and has no geologic classification, J. E. Pettijohn, executive vice president of the company, said yesterday. George H. Doane, paleontologist, has classified it as “Tijuana formation,” Pettijohn said. “Doane definitely has classified the formation as of the pre-Chico age, or the top of the lower cretaceous, which was reached at a depth of 6,260 feet,” Pettijohn said. Thursday morning the depth of the well was 5,692 feet. Drilling was in a black shale with the same showing of gas and oil. According to Pettijohn, the prospects for a producing well are very encouraging to all. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/12/14 – Fred Dyer, 64, who had suffered heart trouble for the last 3 years and who had been confined to his bed during the last weeks died at his home in Imperial Beach, Sunday. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Amanda Dyer. Mr. and Mrs, Dyer have made their home in the South Bay district for many years and are well known by many. Their home in Monument was washed out in the 1916 flood. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/12/14 – Core drilling prepatory to drilling an oil well on the George Downs ranch will be started this week according to J. J. Stephens, general superintendent. “We have 500 acres between San Ysidro and Nestor leased. We fell sure that we will find oil here.” ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1934/12/21 – Formerly of Nestor, Wilbur L. Stanfield, well-known race horse owner of the old school died in San Diego, Saturday, December 15. Prior to 1934 he resided in Nestor on the ranch now commonly referred to as the Stanfleld place. Surviving him is his widow. Mrs. Katherine Stanfield also of San Diego. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1935 – The Rancho Del Yano is the vegetable crate label of Tokihira Yano, better known as “Toki.” The Yano family are among the pioneering Nikkei farm families in San Diego County. Initially farming in Mission Valley, the family moved to the Tijuana River Valley in the 1930s. After the World War II removal and detention the family began to farm in Imperial Beach, California where this label was brought into use. The specialty of the Yano family was pole tomatoes. ( Historical Lug Labels, http://jahssd.org/category/uncategorized/ Posted on September 27, 2009 )

1935 – Prior to World War II, the Itami family farmed in the Tijuana River Valley and throughout the South Bay. The label was used by Sam and Mary Otsuka Itami between 1948 and 1976 on their ranch located on Palm Avenue near the intersection of Beyer Boulevard. The Itamis farmed specialty crops including celery, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash which were sold directly to the Los Angeles produce markets. ( Historical Lug Labels, http://jahssd.org/category/uncategorized/ Posted on September 27, 2009 )

1935/02/01 – On the Beyer’s estate, north of the Arden dairy, a third core hole will be started in a few days by J. J. Stephens and his associates, Stephens reported yesterday. At a meeting in Los Angeles with the company’s geologists last Wednesday, he showed core tests from the test well being drilled on the George Downs ranch in Nestor. They reported the cores to be interesting and encouraging. Stephens brought down with him from Los Angeles a larger engine with which he arrived Thursday morning at 2 o’clock. The crew installed the engine and continued drilling that day. “We will continue for a short while in this hole; the information is almost complete and very satisfactory,” he said. “We are in gray shale, now. The next hole should .give us the necessary information.” Real oil well equipment will be brought in for drilling after the location is determined, the superintendent says. (San Ysidro Border Press)

1936 – A water treatment plant was built on north bank of Tijuana river and west of Monument road, where 3 wells been drilled, 2 large 45-foot tanks, serves Palm City, IB, Coronado, North Island, some going to Highland reservoir on south side of Otay for storage. “Built in 1936, the plant was designed by Clayton B. Neil, an engineer of the California Water and Telephone company, and was erected under his direct supervision on a tract of land owned by this company and on which three wells each with a million gallons per day capacity had been drilled. The water raised from these wells with turbine pumps is run into a tank, diameter 18 feet and depth 15 feet, into which hydrated lime is put by a feeding machine with a maximum capacity of 400 pounds per hour. The lime comes by truck from Death Valley and has the property of uniting with the lime in the water to such an extent that for every ton of lime put into the water twice as many are removed. In the summer months when water consumption is at its height, as much as 5 tons are sometimes removed in one day. The water is further clarified with ferric chloride and then passing into a tank, 45 feet in diameter and 11 feet deep, the lime is removed by gravity flow to the drying beds. The water then flows to a sediment tank and finally to filters, where it passes through gravel and white sand, the latter of unusual quality, being obtained at Oceanside. In all there are two 45-foot tanks and four smaller ones, the latter containing mixing devices which are operated by turbo-mixers with fitted blades.” The chief operator is Henry C. Myers. His assistant is John Rossum. Both have been certified by the American Water Works Association. “Mr. Myers states the visitors to the plant are always welcome. The cost of the plant was $100,000 and the big steel tanks with their aluminum paint, the latest type machinery, the well-kept grounds and the pleasing view from the top of the main building form an attraction in themselves.” ( Chula Vista Star, Jan. 27, 1939. )

1936/03/13 – R. T. Guinn, prominent rancher of the Tijuana River Valley announced mass meeting at Emory school to organize water users of the valley, protesting the pumping of 3 million gallons per day from the river by the California Water and Telephone Company. W. E. Stewart, large property owner in the Tijuana River Valley, said the company should not be allowed to pump water out of the valley. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1936/03/27 – Tijuana valley ranchers met last night at Emory school to organize the Tijuana valley water users protective association. W. E. Stewart was elected president, and H. O. Brown, secretary. The board of directors are as follows: John S. Hull, Arthur Reuther, O. G. Buehrer, R. T. Guinn and Henry George. It was agreed that the board of directors should charge for membership according to the number of acres owned by the applicant and in this manner funds could be raised quickly for legal aid in prohibiting the Coronado water company from pumping from the Tijuana river. Those present voted the board of directors the right to draw up by-laws for their new organisation to be submitted for approval this Friday evening, March 27 a t 8 o’clock at the Emory school. A letter was read from Harold Conklin, deputy of water resources in Sacramento, which verified permits No. 15303 and 8804 to the water company which allocates them 3,200 acre feet per annum. Former Mayor Clark of San Diego was then introduced to the crowd. He gave a very interesting talk on the water situation of San Diego county. He said that he was opposed to draining the agricultural district of water for the city of San Diego. He also stated that when he was mayor of the city that the purchase of 60 or 65 acres of land in the river bottom was consummated to protect the ranchers from losing their water supply and saving it for the district. Mr. Clark advised the ranchers to take their case to court as had been done once before and he said, “you know folks, the Rio Grande river, the Colorado and the Tijuana rivers are all under the international water commission supervision and they should be cousulted,” Clark announced that he would be a candidate for superior court judge and expressed himself as in favor of the All-American canal for San Diego, stating that either we all prosper or none do. If San Diego city takes the water from the rural district for her populace, the ranchers will have to quit and them how will San Diego business prosper without the help of the outside districts. Mr. Clarke concluded his talk with a promise of helping where he could. Fred Jones of Palm City stated he understood water lines and valves were being changed and it was for the purpose of pumping Tijuana water to Coronado. A number of San Ysidro people were present Including committees from the chamber of commerce of San Ysidro, the Ex Service Men’s club of the South Bay and the Imperial Beach improvement club. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1936/10/02 – At the Palm City chamber of commerce meeting last night with Charlie Stream presiding, business men and ranchers from the Tijuana river valley adopted a plan for flood control ot the Tijuana river. The chamber voted to adopt the Emil Bruhlmeier plan for their protection. All were agreed to ask the government to parallel the river with a dyke, scoop out the channel to the ocean from the International boundary, then every half mile check dams would be built to cause the flood waters to deposit silt. All dykes and check drains were to be fenced with Mississippi flood wire to confine the river to the new channel. W. E. Evans described the floods of 1889, 1916 and 1927 and the destruction to the valley, also the fine farms that were ruined by inadequate flood protection. The Palm City chamber of commerce was notified that a display booth at the County Fair was available to the Sooth Bay district and San Ysidro and Imperial Beach would be asked to aid in arranging a suitable display for the fair. Stream announced that it was the 8th birthday of the chamber of commerce and that throughout the eight years they had never failed to hold their regular monthly meeting. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1937/02/07 – Eleventh greatest peak flood in the history of the Tijuana River Valley, with an estimated water volume of 17,700 cubic feet per second. ( Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014.)

1938/03/04 – Unusual Weather Has Unusual Effects. In addition to postponing the Kiddies Night sponsored by the Palm City chamber of commerce as told elsewhere on this page the storm of the last few days has raised the devil locally. It washed away the truck bridge across the Tijuana river. On the Otay road to Chula Vista it cut tremendous hunks of concrete out of the paving, making it impossible for two cars to pass at the same time. The wind tore pieces out of the roof of the Manville Cafe and several other places along San Ysidro boulevard. It blew down a couple of silos that had been erected recently on one of the local dairies. Over around Palm City the slick surface of the roads has kept J. W. Whitt’s tow car busy constantly and here in San Ysidro both Sevel’s and Sosa’s garages have received several calls to pull people out of the mud or to fix faulty ignition systems. Someone in a good looking Ford coupe drove off the road on the way from Nestor to the Emory school, and the car is still there about four feet below the surface of the road, right side up and hub deep in the mire. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/04 – It is reliably reported that during the past two weeks there has been considerable activity in the leasing of oil rights in and around Nestor. A gentleman by the name of C. I. Marten is said to be the person who is attempting to sign up the oil leases. It is said that special attempts have been made to secure drilling rights on the lands belonging to the Coogans, Byers, Parsons, Stevens and Downs to name only a few. One contract form seen by a representative of the Border Press contained a clause stipulating that drilling operations begin within 9 months of the date of the contract. So that it rather looks as if the lessors mean business. Marten has stated that he is not free to divulge the names of the people for whom he is acting, but is said that they are so well financed that it will be unnecessary for them to sell any stock in order to finance drilling operations. This, it should be noted, is a condition most unusual in the oil business. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/04 – A brilliant example of the great work that the state department of equalization is doing to protect the morals of Palm City is shown in the closing of the Bluebird Cafe on last Saturday night. According to Anna Stewart who is one of the proprietors of the erstwhile Bluebird Cafe the complaint levied against her consisted principally of the accusation of selling a bottie of beer to a man who was already under the influence of liquor. In addition to this unusual and especially heinous fraction of the law she goes on to state that she was accused of selling beer in an unsanitary manner, that the counter was actually dusty. If the latter was true the Border Press wishes to point out the obvious, that she could not have been selling much beer. The last statement, however, we have every reason to feel is false. The proprietors of the Bluebird were prompt in paying their bills, and no business does that unless it is operating at a profit. A representative of this paper called the San Diego office of the board of equalization to check on the nature of the complaint filed in this case. He was politely informed, however, that it could not he given even to the press except in the most general terms. The terms were as follows: that alcoholic beverages had been sold to a person while in an intoxicated condition, and that the cafe in question had been conducted in a manner not fitting to the public good. After getting this helpful piece of information an attorney was called to find out what could be done for obtaining a review of the case by a jury in a court of law. The following information was received: In order for the proprietors of the Bluebird Cafe to have a trial before a jury it would be necessary for them, in addition to engaging counsel, to pay each day of the trial the sum of three dollars for each juror. In other words for the, proprietors in this case to have the privilege of trial by jury, a privilege generally believed to be accorded to everyone in this country, it would be first necessary for them to put up the sum of $36 a day throughout the extent of the trial. In the attorney’s opinion such a trial would last for probably eight or nine days, thus necessitating an amount in cash of over $300 for this ONE item. In fairness to the law it should be pointed out that if the ease were won by the persons bringing suit this money would be refunded. For the information of those who would be interested Anna Stewart and E. H. Bailey state that they expect to open a restaurant of the most modern kind in the course of the next few months. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/11 – The Monument district was isolated last Thursday and Friday during the wash-out of the bridge. A temporary bridge was put across the damaged section of the road as the water receded. Among the families who were unable to reach their homes during the flood were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Phinney. Some excellent pictures of the washout which marooned several families were taken by Miss Sigma Joyner and sent to one of the San Diego daily papers and published on the front page. A professional photographer could not have done better. On Wednesday some employees of the water company were taking soundings from the bridge to determine the rate of flow of the Tijuana River as it swept past Monument on the way to the sea, The previous week tt had been flowing at the rate of 7000 cubic feet per second and in the intervening sewn days had slowed down by only about 2000. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/11 – Monument Notes: Cicero Evans, teacher of Monument school, and Mrs. Evans celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 7th. Joe Portillo, who has 20 acres of vegetables at Monument, said that 7 percent of his celery and half of his cauliflower crop was destroyed by the flood last week. Al Hooper of Chula Vista visited with his brother-in-law, Joe Michener of Nestor Service Station Wednesday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jackson of Nestor are the proud parents of of a baby boy, born last week at a local hospital. Lynne and Lenore Hall were visitors in Monument last Wednesday from Encinitas, where they have been living for the past five years. The Hall twins have many friends in this section and lived in Tijuana valley with their family. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/25 – WPA Job Supervisor Richards was in Monument last week inspecting the repair work being done by 80 WPA workmen. The section of road washed out by the recent flood waters has bean filled in with boulders, 1100 feet of woven wire, 5 feet wide, was laid in the newly dug trench and oiled with several tons of rocks to insure against further washing by high water from the river All this, however, has been done on only one side of the river. It is just as necessary that it be done on the other side if a similar washout is to be avoided in the ensuing year. Had this work been done years ago much of the land that has been washed out to aea would still be in use. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/25 – Palm City News: Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nebendahl who spent the winter at the Holcomb ranch in Monument left March 16 for their home in Iowa. The George Wallaces of Nestor had their house moved to another section of land last week. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

1938/03/25 – San Ysidro Notes: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cloud of the San Ysidro stock farm have purchased the property of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hanna of Smythe avenue in San Ysidro. The Hanna family moved to San Pedro several years ago when Mr. Hanna was transferred from the customs service to the northern district. ( San Ysidro Border Press, )

SOURCES:

• “A Partition of Paradise; A Short History of the Tijuana River Valley,” County of San Diego, Parks and Recreation Department, 1991, in Parks-Tijuana River Valley Regional Park folder, San Diego History Center.
• Bartlett, John Russell. Personal Narrative of Explorations and Incidents. New York: D. Appleton, 1854.
• California Water & Telephone Company map of Tijuana River Valley ownership & crop survey as of August 1936, in San Diego History Center.
• Carter, Nancy Carol, “Border Field State Park and Its Monument,” Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society, Fall 2011.
• Chula Vista Historical Society. Family, Friends, and Homes. San Diego CA: Tecolote Publications, 1991.
• Coronado Water Company No. 1 well map of Tijuana River Valley, May 10, 1921, in San Diego History Center.
• County History Center, Department of Parks and Recreation, County of San Diego, 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 410, San Diego, CA.
• Cuen, Elizabeth interview, Monument Road, San Diego, CA, Feb. 10, 2015.
• Davidson, George. Pacific Coast : Coast pilot of California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1869.
• Dortch, Joel “The Smartest Horse in the Movies,” Happy Trails Children’s Foundation.
• Elliot, Freda Compton. History of Imperial Beach. 1976.
• Global Register of Extreme Flood Events, online
• Hinds, James W. “San Diego’s Military Sites,” unpublished mss., 1986.
• Hughes, Charles W. “‘La Mojonera’ and the Marking of California’s U.S.-Mexico Boundary Line, 1849-1851,” Journal of San Diego History 53 (Summer 2007) online
• International Boundary & Water Commission, Mission Operations – online
• Martin, Jim interview, Monument Road, San Diego, CA, Feb. 11 and 20, 2015.
• Menzel, Spencer Lewis, “The Development of the Sweetwater Area (California),” M.A. Thesis, University of Southern Californa, 1942.
• Mizony, Paul T., ed. “Excerpts from the Diaries of Frank A. Kimball, Founder of National City California, Years 1868 to 1912.” unpublished mss, April 16, 1956, Morgan Local History Room, National City Public Library.
• Phillips, Irene. San Diego Land & Town Company, 1880-1927. National City CA: South Bay Press, 1959.
• Pourade, Richard F. The Glory Years. The History of San Diego, v. 4. San Diego, California: The Union-Tribune Publishing Company, 1964.
• Reupsch, Carl F., “Port of San Diego: its Character and History,” unpublished report, April 27, 1970, in the Office of the District Clerk, San Diego Unified Port District.
• Robbins-Wade, Mary J. “Prehistoric settlement pattern of Otay Mesa San Diego County, California,” M.A. Thesis, San Diego State University, 1990.
• San Ysidro Historic Context Statement Final, October 11, 2010, Prepared for: California Office of Historic Preservation, Prepared by: City of San Diego City Planning & Community Investment.
• Smythe, William E. San Diego And Imperial Counties California. A Record Of Settlement, Organization, Progress And Achievement. Vol. 2. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913.
• Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve History, online
• Tijuana River Valley Existing Conditions Report, April 14, 2014. online
• TRNERR History Chapter, 2010.
• Tynan, Dick interview, Hollister St., San Diego, CA, Feb. 5, 2015.
• San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge Sweetwater Marsh and South San Diego Bay Units, Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Volume I. Prepared by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California/Nevada Refuge Planning Office, August 2006.
• San Diego Earth Times, June 1994. online
• Storms, Floods, and Debris Flows in Southern California and Arizona, 1978 and 1980: Proceedings of a Symposium, September 17-18, 1980, sponsored jointly by Committee on Natural Disasters, Commission on Sociotechnical Systems, National Research Council and the Environmental Quality Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1982.
• Van Wormer, Stephen R. “A Land Use History of the Tia Juana River Valley,” California State Parks, Southern Service Center, June 2005.
• Walke, Julie M. Imperial Beach, California: A Pictorial History. Virginia Beach, VA: Donning Company, 2006.
• Yates, Bryan interview, park ranger station, Monument Road, San Diego, CA, Feb. 10, 2015.
• Zaragoza, Barbara. San Ysidro and the Tijuana River Valley, Charleston, SC : Arcadia Pub., 2014.

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