June 2016

Wyatt Earp - Life in the Mojave

Wyatt Earp was 16 when his family moved to San Bernardino,
California. Coming through the Mojave they ran out of provisions, their horses
became weak and the Indians were bold, and that was Wyatt's introduction
to the land of which he would traverse much of his life. This presentation
discusses Wyatt's interaction with the Mojave rather than the typical, wellworn stories of his notoriety.
Walter Feller is a 30 year resident of Hesperia, Ca. who as a landscape
photographer, over the last 20 years, has been editor and developer for the
MojaveDesert.Net (Digital-Desert.com) websites highlighting the natural and
human history of our Mojave as well as its unique beauty.

June 2016

President:

There are neither new members nor renewals this

month

Doug Shumway
Vice President:
Membership Questions:

Gary Kubik
Treasurer:

Contact Andrea by phone 961.2731

Lorena Gragg

Or at the meeting

Recording Secretary:

Dues/Memberships are as follows:

Fran Elgin

Dues/Memberships:

Corresponding Secretary:

Lifetime Single $150

Marcy Taylor

Lifetime Family $200

Past President:
John Marnell

~ANNUAL~

Directors:

ANNUAL Family/Couple $30

Mary Dutro

ANNUAL Single $20

Linda Chapman
Jada Kaltenbach
Newsletter:
Stormie Reid
Membership and Director at Large:

Reminder: No Meetings
in July and August

Andrea M. Gutierrez

You are welcome to share your

newsletter with a friend and invite
them to come to the next meeting
with you!

Next Meeting Date:

June 23, 2016

June 2016

The Springs in the desert were important for the Indians and pioneers, as they
were year round water sources. The largest spring in the high desert is Cushenbury
Springs. The Cushenbury Springs has a unique history including miners, confederate
sympathizers, and the battle for California and turkey ranchers. The first recorded
people living in the Spring were silver miners from Holcomb Valley. A good number of
gold miners in Holcomb Valley supported the southern cause in the Civil War and
joined a group called the Knights of the Golden Circle. This group attempted to
capture California but was thwarted in Volcano California by a local union militia.
Gold miners and ranchers occupied the Springs until the 1940's when Henry J.
Kaiser, a miner of limestone and built a cement plant which protects the riparian
habitat of the Springs today. The Springs habitat has over 150 different plants and
animals living there today.

The story of the utopian community of Llano del Rio near Pearblossom will be the topic
at our upcoming September meeting and will feature a PowerPoint presentation by John
Marnell. Barbara Smith, one of our members planted the seeds of interest when she provided
photographs of her family living at the Llano Ranch in the early 1900s. Barbaras family
predated the better-known Llano del Rio, but it was these photos, however, that sparked my
research into this area. Little did I know how much I would uncover. A community of more than
600 populated the town, with schools, a print shop, dairy, kilns, tent houses, and a cemetery.
Join us on the 22nd of September for the story of an interesting part of the heritage of our desert.
A field trip to many interesting parts of Llano del Rio will take place the following day, details at
the meeting.

June 2016

I cannot believe that summer is almost here! Well, according

to the calendar, the Summer Solstice is June 20. So much will be
happening over the next couple of months. We have the Sunset
Concerts in the Civic Center Park in Apple Valley, a Steak Fry at the
Apple Valley Legacy Museum on June 30, and the libraries will be
having their summer reading programs. MHS will be taking a break
during the months of July and August, and we will be meeting up
again in September, on the 22nd, which will by that time be autumn.
In the September issue I will be discussing the Bass Hilltop House
in Apple Valley, which is now owned by the Town of Apple Valley.
Mayor Stanton will be talking about this at the AV Legacy Museum
Steak Fry on June 30th, and we would love to have you join us for
that!
I heard we had a wonderful presentation on Cushenbury
Springs in May, and I am sorry I had to miss it. I was at the
Courtyard, for the last concert of May; we had a booth set up for
the Apple Valley Legacy Museum. I will unfortunately miss the June
meeting as well; I will be having a surgery on my ankle on that
Tuesday.
This summer I will be taking a break from my studies, and
devoting my time to research and writing. It will be a perfect time,
as I will be recuperating from the ankle surgery. I have a major
project that I have been outlining for the better part of the year,
and now I need to research and put it together.
If you have any topics you would like to know more about, please
email me and I will research it and include it in the newsletter.
Members are also encouraged to submit articles to the publication.

June 2016

Mohahve Books are Being Reproduced

Here's a little history lesson for our MHS members. In 1963 a class was
offered in Local Historical Research at Victor Valley College. Local old-timers
were thrilled with the idea because there had been almost nothing written
down about Victor Valley history up until that time. Almost everyone who
took that class had lived here 40, 50, or 60 years or longer. The enthusiastic
students spread the word in the community, and they came up with old
photos and valuable interviews. They learned how to research and how to
publish a book. As a result, the first book called Mohahve I was published.
The book was so well-received, the same group of people started the first
local historical society (MHS) and, over the years, went on to publish more in
the series--in 1965, 1966, 1984, and 1991. We published Mohahve VI in 2011.
But Mohahve I-Vs have been out of print for years. Now, in response to
popular demand, we are reproducing these five books and plan to have
copies available in the next few months. Watch for it! ~ Fran Elgin ~

The Mojave Water Agency is offering a program to the Public

"Looking

Back at Water History and How It Has Shaped our

Region." The Mojave Water Agency is offering a program to the public

on Tuesday July 26th. The speaker will be Jeff Crider, who will
present a summary of a book he just completed on the history of the
water supply in the Victor Valley. Seating is limited, so register now to
attend. Email Gloria Golike at ggolike@mojavewater.org or contact her
at 760-946-7001. Deadline to register is July 25th. Refreshments will
be provided.

June 2016

Longtime Victor Valley residents have fond memories of the weekly steak
fry events hosted by the Apple Valley Inn. The Apple Valley Legacy Museum's
second annual steak fry will definitely bring back some of those memories. The
delicious tri-tip dinner with all the fixin's will be served by Roy Rogers very own
great nephew, David Odell, and family. Other Rogers family members will be in
attendance as well. The night's entertainment will include live western music by
Tessi the Singing Cowgirl, an action-packed show by the Santa Fe Drifters
professional stunt team, a narrated historical hayride, photo ops, museum visits,
a ribbon cutting for the old Vics Barber Shop (our second display space), a
raffle, and a sing-along. In addition, Apple Valley Mayor Barb Stanton will share
some breaking news about town events and the recent purchase of the Hilltop
property. All the fun starts at 4:30 Thursday June 30, with dinner served at 5:45.
All-inclusive $25 tickets are on sale at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum, cottage
153 at the historic Apple Valley Inn, or by calling (760) 985-1918. ~ Marcy ~

June 2016

June 23:
Walter Feller
Topic: Wyatt Earp
July and August:
No Meetings
September 22:
John Marnell
Topic: The community of Llano del Rio
October 27:
Norm Meeker Geologist
Topic: TBA
November 17:
Bob Barker
Topic: Springs and Bighorn Sheep
December 8:
Holiday Party at the Lone Wolf Colony

June 2016

Mohahve History Society

PO BOX 21
Victorville, CA 92393

Membership Request Form

Name________________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________ State_________________ Zip______________
Phone _______________________________________________
Email_________________________________________________

Membership Type:
Annual: Family/Couple $30_________ Single $20_______
Lifetime: Family $200_________ Single $150_______

The Mohahve Historical Society meets the fourth Thursday of the month at the Victor Valley
Museum, located at 11873 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308. Please visit our website:
http://www.mohahve.org