2020 Will Be A Real Landmark Year for Poway
The new year has Poway commemorating a couple of landmark anniversaries.
In 1970, 150 years ago, Poway officially got a United States Post Office. The post office was initially in the home of Costanos Paine, the first Postmaster. The accepted spelling at the time was Paguay, rejected because it was deemed hard to spell. Essentially, that was when “Poway” was born.
The Poway Post office, 1904-1908, south of Community Church.
There have been many postmasters and many post office locations over the years. Then, 90 years later, following a lively election campaign, the citizens of Poway voted to become an incorporated city and elected our first city council.
Program cover for the swearing in of the first Poway City Council.
The council was sworn in on December 1, 1980, and Poway embarked on the next chapter of its colorful history.
Inside This Issue
Poway’s commercial areas, it seems, are going through yet another transformation these days. On pages 4-6 we look back at some Poway businesses in the early 1960s, with locations shown on a more current aerial view. Additional pages are on display at the museum.
President’s Message by Jeff Frye
It is that time of year when the days get short and the shadows get long. Looking at the long shadows one looks back over one’s shoulder and muses, “wow, what happened to the summer”? The summer season was fruitful for the Poway Historical and Memorial Society. We held rummage sales in June, August and October.
Cindy Larson, Eletha Norling, Marlene Rauch, and many others have made these sales not only lucrative but very efficient. We are grossing approximately $300.00 per event and these sales are doing a great job as our fund-raising functions.
On schedule the past few months have been the “Old Fashioned 4th of July” here at Old Poway Park, the “Sheriff’s Night Out”, and of course the annual “Poway Days Parade.” The “Sheriff’s Night Out” occurred the first week in August in the west portion of the Poway Library parking lot. This event was a first for our Society and gives our, as well as other local organizations, the opportunity to “mix” with each other and with the Poway Community. Greg Payne once again offered to be our chauffeur in the parade with his beautiful 1929 Model A Ford. Thank you, Greg! He is also involved with the Poway Elks’ Lodge and is involved with their projects.
Refreshingly cool nights mark the arrival of fall set in the Poway Valley. Fall always makes me want to “get home.” Home where it is warm and the kitchen fragrances start to suggest the Holiday Season will soon be here. Fall also brought us Poway Rodeo, The Poway Rendezvous, and the always entertaining “Halloween in the Park.” “Christmas in the Park” scheduled for Saturday, December 14, will round out the holiday season here.
What excites me about these community events is the exposure it gives the young citizens to our history. My memories of early years in Poway are highlighted with such events and the opportunities they provided and I believe that it is short odds that other young citizens will find similar inspirations.
This is why our stewardship of Poway’s history is so important. The documentary director and producer Ken Burns has said something to the effect that,” History is lineal. Human behavior is cyclical”. This is contrary to the phrase “history repeats itself”. With diligent and prudent stewardship we can pass knowledge to our younger generations and, with a little discretion, some of our younger generations may lead to correct and improve our society and community using our work and preservations.
I am very grateful for the opportunities Poway Historical and Memorial Society has afforded me personally. The fine, generous people involved with our organization all share constructive, positive attitudes. I believe a common thread for people such as us is to strive for a “Utopian” future ensuring these younger generations prosperity, happiness, and the wisdom to respect and enjoy our Poway Valley.
All of our members who are interested enough to merely pledge our annual membership fee are to be congratulated for their hopes and wishes of a prosperous future for Poway Valley. We always welcome our members to use our facilities and our vast and developing resources for their personal inquiries and interests. Please stop by Old Poway Park and visit your Nelson House and your Museum.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, and entire Poway Historical and Memorial Society membership, may all of us enjoy the rewards of our Harvest and Holiday Seasons.
Christmas in the Park Saturday, Dec. 14
Join us at Old Poway Park for an old-fashioned holiday tradition that will take you back in time with caroling, live music, a visit with Santa, free children’s crafts, model train displays, and so much more!
Purchase tasty holiday treats, finish your Christmas shopping at the craft boutique, or board the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time ride around the park. Christmas tree lighting at 5:15 PM, followed by the arrival of Santa at 5:30 PM. Horse-drawn hay wagon and pony rides, petting zoo, and face painting.
Steam locomotive train rides, model trains, and live entertainment. Free Shuttles to and from the event will be available from two different locations. Locations include the Poway City Hall Parking Lot, 13325 Civic Center Drive; with the additional location at the Poway Adult School Parking lot located at 13626 Twin Peaks Road. Shuttles will run throughout the event, beginning at 3:00 PM and leaving Old Poway Park for the last trip at 9:00 PM.
The Heritage Museum will be open special hours.
Rummage Sale Fever
Raising funds and having fun, PHMS held a series of successful rummage sales in 2019. Savvy shoppers scored some real bargains and the society raised money for museum operations. The October sale, held in the gazebo, in conjunction with the annual Rendezvous celebration, was a huge success.
Sales for 2020 will be held in March, July and October, either in the museum or the park gazebo. Times and dates to be announced.
Bargain hunters found plenty of treasures at out October rummage sale, held in the gazebo.
Notes from the Museum
I t hardly ever snows in Poway, and certainly never enough to fashion a real snowman. You’d never know, though, from the snowman exhibit the elves have put together in the museum. In keeping with the spirit of 2020, the docents in the popular Nelson house will be dressing in garb from the 1920s, the era of the house that was moved to Old Poway Park from Garden Road.
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