Old Rancho Days

Chapter 1 -- The Early Days

In a place north of Escondido, California in the foothills of the Palomar Mountain range is an beautiful upland valley called Hidden Meadows. Under a huge ancient spreading oak tree, the first owners of the ranch built their home.

On my first visit to the area searching for a homesite, I became acquainted with the splendid live oak and my husband and I built our home within sight of it on Glengarry Lane. In 1972 we were the fourteenth house to be completed in the subdivision. We found pieces of old harness, cans of old bolts and other remnants of the old ranch on our lot. Many days as I walked about the area and under the leafy old oak tree, I tried to visualize life in the early days of Meadow Lake Ranch.

Recently on a morning walk I paused to look up into the old oak's gnarled branches as the leaves stirred in a slight breeze and I seemed to hear a voice. Could it be? The tree? Yes. As the old one whispered and sighed this story emerged:

"Please, sit down and listen. I've tales to tell. It's been so long since anyone has sat beneath my spreading limbs to seek the comfort of my shade. For years there's been no one to hear the wind rustling through my leaves, the soft winter rains which wash my dusty coat, or my hurt when storms break my branches. I'm getting old now and worried, too. Men have been walking beneath me with clipboards in their hands. They don't stop to rest in my sheltering shade. They walk about pointing and gazing up at my relatives on the hill. They speak of machines to grade and fill, to change the terrain.

"My land came under the protection of the King of Spain by virtue of the law of the Indies upon the Spanish occupation of California in 1769. Ownership passed to the Mexican government in 1822 after Mexico’s Declaration of Independence from Spain and establishment of the sovereignty of the Republic of Mexico. In 1848, following the Mexican War, California became United States Territory. Title to the land was confirmed by authority of the United States government in a Patent issued George C. Kuchel and recorded May 24, 1882.

Before that and not recorded, many Indians traversed the land and took shelter under my domain. There's no record of my age either, but I've been here over 200 years so I'm concerned about these men now making plans for my land. The Indians [Mexicans] are back too. They dress like the white man now and carry plastic bags of food. In the 'olden days,' I supplied some of their food as my acorns fell to the ground. The creek, which is dry now, supplied their water year around. Now they camp in the surrounding wilderness area."

Walking home, I began thinking about the changes soon to take place at Hidden Meadows and, feeling that the last remnants of the old ranch might disappear soon, I contacted Will Watson, one of the long-time ranchers of the area. Will, now 82, still lives on his ranch across from the clubhouse. During our conversation, Will mentioned that the granddaughter of the original Meadow Lake Ranch owner still lives in the area. Naturally, I became very enthused and with Will's help I located Harriet Crise DeGraw. During many conversations, Mrs. DeGraw and Mr. Watson related the events over the years until the ranch passed on to First Republic Development in 1965.

A man named Johnson arrived in the valley prior to 1875 and he built a log cabin nearby. He raised pigs and marketed them in San Diego, which was about a three-day round trip. One day going down, a day to unload, sell the pigs, perhaps pick up supplies and a day to return. (No record can be found of Johnson's claim.) Before long George C. Kuchel, who had a claim on a part of what is now the Daley ranch, traded claims with Johnson and moved to the ranch, recording his claim in May 1882. The legal description of the Kuchel property is parts of section 16, 17 and 18, Township 11 South, Range 2 San Bernardino Base and Meridian.

George built a home made of adobe bricks, which he manufactured, on the site. He became acquainted with Marie Cobetta Wellar, a German immigrant girl of nineteen. When Marie and her father landed in New York from Germany, they encountered a man who relieved them of part of their money by promoting Rancho Santa Fe as a land of untold wealth for growing olives. Disappointed with the land when they arrived in California, they moved to what later became the Escondido area. Before long, George and Marie were married and moved into the adobe house at the ranch.

Much of the valley area was a swamp land a drainage system was devised. The resulting soil was rich and fertile. On parts of the ranch Muscat grapes were planted for raised; but due to the 1200 feet altitude, the grapes ripened a good two weeks later than those in Escondido and there wasn't sufficient drying time before cold weather arrived. They also planted six or seven acres of apple trees.

George's brother, Robert, was another early settler. He filed a claim on adjoining acres to the east. Robert spent more time hunting and prospecting than in trying to farm his land so it was never improved to the extent of George and Marie's ranch. Whenever Robert ran short of money, he sold a piece of his land. Then Robert married Alvira Nelson and they had three children. Grapes and apples were raised as a cash crop on Robert's ranch.

To improve his stock, George Kuchel decided to graft wine grapes to his vines and went to Sonoma as an apprentice for two years to learn to make wine. Brother Robert tended both ranches in George's absence. When George returned he built three adobe buildings to process the grapes. A vein of adobe clay had been found conveniently nearby.

The nearby ranchers bought supplies at a trading post, Graham & Stelner; located northeast of where Lake Hodges is now. Staples such as flour, sugar, and tobacco were available here. A trip to San Diego supplied the other necessities. The store was moved to the new town of Escondido in 1886, established after Wolfskill sold his land holdings to the Escondido Land Company. Mail delivery was to McDougal Ranch which the post-office called Apex. Periodically, the ranchers would ride horseback to McDougal's to pick up their mail. In 1887 the post-office was located in a small shack in Escondido and then in The New York Store. Later, when phone books were published, the address for the Kuchel ranch was North Broadway.

The ranch was appropriately named Big Rock Ranch after the nearby huge boulder that guards the entrance to the ranch house. In addition to the grapes, varied farm crops, such as hay and small grain, were cultivated on the ranch. Children Nellie Marie and George, Jr. were born here. They attended Rincon School near the present Jesmond Dene Park. A horse-drawn sulky supplied their transportation to the school. Nellie sometimes walked down the westerly end of the valley through the chaparral to the underground waterfall and would sit on a huge rock listening to the water splashing below as it tumbled over boulders to reach the lower valley.

As the population increased, area ranchers banded together to build a one room school at the Nevin ranch at the foot of the grade. Later the schoolhouse was moved up to Kuchel Mesa and located on an acre of the Hill ranch at Mountain Meadow Road near the present Cerveza Drive. Clamar School was named in honor of two students, Clarissa Haucheldt and Mary Stewart. One of the teachers was Lizzie Leggo. During the week Lizzie lived in a one-room home next to the school.

By this time George Kuchel had built a two-room wooden ranch house. On Sundays people would drive out to Kuchel Mesa from Escondido through Reldy Canyon and Oat Hills, approaching the ranches from the east, to buy apples for about one cent a pound. Tables were spread out under the oak trees and Marie Kuchel would provide food to those who came. The Kuchel ranch was just a pleasant drive from Escondido and visitors lingered under the cool oak trees to visit before heading home to Escondido. Many people became acquainted with the old spreading live oak tree on these relaxing Sunday afternoons.

Chapter II -- 1913, and a New Era

When George Kuchel died in 1913, the ranch passed on to the children, George, Junior and Nellie. George and Marie Kuchel, as well as Marie's father Wellar, are buried on the ranch near the lake south of the house. There were grave markers at one time but they are no longer in evidence.

A few years later Nellie married the son of Escondido's only doctor, Harry Null Crlse. They made their home at the ranch. The only child of this union, Harriet Crise Jenks DeGraw was born October 6, 1915 in Escondido where her uncle was a doctor as well as her grandfather.

Nellie’s brother, George Kuchel, Jr., was killed when the motorcycle he was riding near Fresno collided with a truck. After the accident the ranch was placed in Nellie Kuchel Crise's name on March 22, 1918.

When Harriet was five years old she attended Charmar School to help make up a quota because there weren't enough students. Harriet's teacher was Emily Kelly who later became principal of an Escondido elementary school. Finally, the school building was abandoned. Harriet stayed with her Grandmother Crlse in Escondido and attended school there. Some of the ranch children attended Twin Oak School. Rincon district had been consolidated and eventually became Lincoln School. Incidentally, today, the newest elementary school in Escondido is named Rincon School.

The old school building was moved to the foot of the grade and made into a residence. Mr. and Mrs. Daney were living there in the sixties and seventies. Interestingly, Mr. Daney had been a truant officer and Mrs. Daney was a schoolteacher before retirement to the old schoolhouse.

At Big Rock Ranch, the valley area in front of the house was the drainage area for the surrounding hills and by means of a dam constructed by George Kuchel a large pond supplied water for the ranch stock year around. Sometimes more water collected than was desirable. In 1916 and again in 1929 winter storms flooded the valley, washed out the banks of the stream and evened out the valley floor.

Nellie Crise and daughter Harriet still lived in the small ranch house after Nellie divorced Harry Crise. In 1924 Nellie built and moved into a two-bedroom house in front of the old house. Northwest of the house on a slight rise there was a long chicken coop where laying hens were kept. A well with a windmill supplied water, which was pumped to a tank placed on the hill at the rear of the house. (The cement base for the tank is south of what is now called lot 121.) In 1925 Nellie planted a wisteria which spread a cloud of lavender flowers over the whole front of the house and porch. The beautiful wisteria survived until about 1980 when the old ranch house was painted and the wisteria was torn down.

Because of all the oak trees in the area, the apple trees in the orchard eventually developed oak root fungus and had to be destroyed. English walnut trees, planted to replace the apples, grew to be 60 feet high. A large garden patch was tended in the rich soil near the stream and in 1936 a mixed fruit orchard was planted consisting of persimmon, plums, apples, pears and olives. The persimmon, one apple tree and an apricot survive today (1987) and still bear good fruit.

Nellie hired a Basque named Jean Capdeville to work the ranch, and he made his home in the old two room ranch house. Capdeville raised pigs and housed them in pens under the oak trees. One day a bear came after the little pigs and Capdeville pursued and shot the bear. Seeing the cheap hog feed, he attempted to herd the pigs to the carcass to save hauling it back to the ranch. The pigs stampeded and never were all recovered.

By various acquisitions, including the Day property, Big Rock Ranch now consisted of 480 acres. Angus cattle were raised as well as pigs. One evening the Crises heard a crescendo of screaming and commotion in the pig pen. Visiting Robert Kuchel grabbed his rifle and rushed out to see a mountain lion attacking the little piglets. He fired into the darkness and thought he wounded the animal. The next morning they found the body of the mountain lion draped over the crotch of the old oak tree, where the wounded animal had climbed to die. This was another "slice of life" witnessed by the majestic tree.

Harriet Crise left the family ranch to marry Charles Jenks, a childhood acquaintance who lived on a nearby ranch. They moved to Linda Vista where Charles worked in an aircraft factory during WW1.

Other family members found the ranch a pleasant place to visit until it was sold. Among them was Thomas Henry Kuchel (1910-), who was a United States Senator from California from 1953 through 1969. He spent some time in this area in his youth and was a frequent visitor to the ranch. The Senator practiced law in Anaheim and entered state politics as a Liberal Republican. When he left the Senate he returned to private law practice in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Nellie Kuchel Crise died in 1947 and John Burnham bought the ranch from the estate November 18, 194~ through the Bank of America in San Diego. Nellie also owned the 480 acre Hornbeck Ranch above Reldy Canyon, which the trustee of the estate sold to George Daley.

Nellie’s daughter, Harriet, took all her family papers to the bank to help settle the estate. The bank lost the box of records and Harriet lost much of her family history. Property taxes on the ranch at the time of Nellie Crise's death were high. Harriet decided to sell as she felt she would not receive enough income from the ranch to pay the taxes.

Chapter III -- After the War

Mr. Burnham, the new owner, was a wealthy man from Rancho Santa Fe and he planned to spend his remaining days at the ranch. He added more land to his holdings, including some government land, until he had about 700 acres.

He hired Hazard Construction to grade and establish several ponds with dams. He remodeled the old tool house into a beautiful home, which later became the Oak Room Restaurant. The old chicken coop was made into servant's quarters and guest house. Blacktop roads were constructed and landscaping completed with a row of oleanders between the newly remodeled home and the guest house.

Mr. Burnham had a uniformed chauffeur who drove him about the area impressing the neighboring ranchers. His wife never did care much for the ranch and spent most of her time in Rancho Santa Fe. The Burnhams used the ranch mostly as a week-end retreat.

In July, 1948, Will and Bernice Watson purchased the 120 acre ranch of Robert Kutchel (across from the Meadow Lake Country Clubhouse) from the three children of Robert Kutchel who jointly owned the ranch. The Watson family moved from near Pasadena to their property and lived in a tent while their home was being constructed. They moved into the home in October. The Watsons planned to raise chickens on the ranch. When the chicken venture proved unsatisfactory, Will returned to his profession as an insurance adjuster while Bernlce taught school in Escondido for several years.

The ranch was a good place for Will and Bernice Watson to raise their four children, Larry, Kathleen, Patricia and Bill. They built a swimming pool and the children and grandchildren had horses to ride. Some of the children felt the ranch was too isolated because their nearest friends were over 1 1/2 miles away. Bernice grew many flowers, vegetables and planted fruit trees. Bernice wanted some pine trees, so Will purchased 1000 Monterey pines from a government agency for a few dollars and planted several acres. Some were sold as Christmas trees. Son, Larry, had a huge garden and vegetable stand across from the country club during the midseventies. Bernice passed away in l980.

Despite efforts of Burnham and later Republic Development to purchase the Watson property for development, they refused to sell until high property taxes (before Prop. 13) forced the sale of the land. Taxes, when the Watsons bought the property in 1948, were $68 a year.

Water was a valuable commodity to the ranchers of Kuchel Mesa and sometimes disputes developed over "dirty tricks" of deeper wells being drilled in adjacent land to take over the water supply.

Other ranchers to arrive on Kuchel Mesa were the Stlckleys who moved to their ranch on Mountain Meadow Road just prior to Watson's arrival. Mr. Stlckley worked for the City of San Diego on city parks and grew beautiful ornamentals in addition to the usual ranch crops. Avocados have been planted on most of the ranch now.

The present road up the grade from Route 395 was built a few years before 1948 and called Kuchel Mesa Road. A rancher named Freer of Boulder Meadow Ranch renamed his ranch Mountain Meadow Ranch, and also the road was designated Mountain Meadow Road.

After the death of John Burnham, on June 3, 1953, John S. Young purchased Big Rock Ranch. He bought cattle, constructed loading chutes and built fences. The first load of cattle to arrive scattered all over the countryside when unloaded. Somehow, the fences did not contain them. Because of a heart condition, John Young did not take an active role in the work of the ranch.

A circumstance of great importance to all ranchers of Kuchel Mesa occurred in 1954 when the Valley Center Municipal Water District was established. A small tank was built to serve the area and today discarded small pipes from the system, which was abandoned when districts U5 and U6 were established for The Meadows, are still scattered about the area.

John Young was shot under suspicious circumstances near the dam on his ranch in 1962. His body was found with a shotgun nearby. Rumor had it that he was shot by a recently hired ranch hand. Some say the death was not sufficiently investigated by authorities, who ruled the fatal wound was self inflicted. The ranch was recorded in the name of Ruth R. Young on May 22, 1962. Either the Youngs or the Burnhams changed the name of the ranch to Meadow Lake Ranch.

Jean Capdeville worked the ranch all during this time and ran it as he pleased without too much interference from the various owners.

Chapter IV -- The Era of Development

The old tree saw an abrupt and bewildering change come to Kuchel Mesa when Republic Development purchased Meadow Lake Ranch on February 1, 1965 to develop a golf course and homesites in the natural setting of the beautiful upland valley. The developer looked at 50 sites in Southern California before settling on Meadow Lake Ranch. "From the aesthetic standpoint, we knew it was right the first time we saw it," said the developer. "A market evaluation proved the economic feasibility of the project."

The First tract filed by Republic was Tract 5744 (The Meadows) 250 lots of 10,000 Sq. Ft. on 102 acres. Republic built streets, water and sewer systems, and an 18 hole, 6,600 yard golf course plus a small pro shop with a snack counter. Lot sales started in 1966.

As part of the development, in 1966-67, $400,000 bonds were sold by Valley Center Municipal Water District to construct water and sewer facilities for The Meadows.

John Dorrough, heading up Republic Development's west-coast operation, promoted The Meadows as "a lush new departure in community planning, preserving the natural beauty of the land by low density zoning. The homesites were kept relatively small in a modified cluster concept." He predicted that when finished, the project would represent an investment of approximately $60 million. The firm of Deems, Lewis, Martin & Assoc., AIA, and Donald R. Short & Assoc., consulting engineers, were engaged to develop a Master Plan. As Deems put it, "Perhaps the most significant thing about The Meadows is what is left undeveloped. Many developers destroy all the natural environment in an effort to get maximum use out of every square foot of land. It is our viewpoint that the land can still be put to good use without ruining its character."

Deems talked of streets giving the effect of rural, country lanes with no cutting or terracing of homesites for building pads which would make some interesting architectural situations. Fairly heavy restrictions were established with regard to architecture and landscaping, all under direction of The Meadows' Homes Association, according to the Saturday Evening Post, June 5, 1966.

From that time on the ranch began to develop as we now know it. Mountain Meadow Road was realigned to the west and improved with a divided roadway near the golf club entrance.

The former ranch house was converted into a restaurant, the Oak Room, with a view of the three lakes connected by streams and waterfalls. The restaurant under the management of George Dumont and his charming French wife, Madaline, soon gained a reputation for friendly service, gourmet food, and vintage wines. George, usually semi-formally dressed in black with white shirt and maroon bow tie, a white towel

on his arm, served food with continental flourish. On cool evenings a blazing fire in the stone fireplace added to the cozy dining atmosphere. A huge patio under the old oak tree was available for cocktails and dining on pleasant evenings. Colored lights placed up in the old oak tree created a festive appearance at parties.

During this time, the ancient oak tree was privy to many important plans as it listened to the conversations which took place on the patio under its spreading branches. (See photo of "wheeler-dealer" types gathered under the tree.) These were glorious days for the "ancient one" with the colorful twinkle of lights in its branches and gregarious people gathered about consuming food and drinks.

Meanwhile, Avis and Arch Johnston built their home in 1968. Theirs was the First home constructed after the four homes built by the developers. They were among the first full-time residents of The Meadows and took an active interest in the progress of the new development and its activities.

The pro shop and golf course, under the direction of affable Tom Sanderson, was an active part of the sales promotion of the property. Unbelievably low golf club dues of $25 per month with cart fee additional, were quite an enticement to prospective buyers. Of course, most members were absentee owners and able to utilize the facilities infrequently. Lot purchasers enjoyed monthly men's golf tournaments sponsored by the developer. Tom's wife, Ruby, supervised the lunch counter attached to the pro shop. The Sandersons built their home nearby on Red Stone Lane. Their son, Tommy T., on the pro circuit playing golf all over the country, provided an interesting conversational topic and added a touch of glamour to the golfing scene. Son Larry is a golf pro in Sheridan, Wyoming, the former home of the elder Sandersons. Both Tom and Ruby have passed away, Tom in 1986.

Republic built an Olympic-size (25 meter) heated swimming pool and two tennis courts near the old ranch house on the site of an old barn. At the time, the developer planned to build the clubhouse in that area overlooking the lakes and the unspoiled, picturesque natural beauty of the green hillside covered with a forest of oak trees. From the clubhouse site, looking down the woodsy canyon on a clear day, a panoramic view of the terrain all the way to the shimmering blue ocean, over twenty miles distant, could be enjoyed. Nearby, red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures soared on cool westerly ocean breezes that drifted into the area starting about mid-morning. In January and February a frosting of blue-flowering wild lilac covered the hillside wherever a break in the trees occurred. It was a breathtaking scene to prospective property purchasers.

The inadequate fire protection, rarely mentioned to prospective homesite purchasers by the developer, was provided by two fire stations maintained by California Division of Forestry: one at Cole Grade Road and Valley Center Road (more than 10 miles away by way of a steep, curving, narrow, unimproved back road or 18 miles on a blacktop road), and Miller Station on Lilac Road, one mile east of old 395 (in operation from April 15--December 15 for brush fires).

It was the beginning of the end for the old ranches as the owners began to divide their acreage into small parcels to sell to investors for homesites and small groves. With the extension of Valley Center water to Kuchel Mesa, many new agricultural ideas surfaced for the land: kiwis were planted on 16 acres by Jack and Lois Lenz, proteas on the Meyer place, geraniums on a parcel on Cerveza, tea bushes (leptospermum), citrus and avocados on many other acreages. The Bowers' egg ranch was eventually turned into commercial greenhouses growing house plants, and when the high-wire power lines were built marching across country alongside fairway 16, SDG&E rented the land under the power lines for various nursery and gardening ventures.

During the sixties the land development philosophy was to buy a huge parcel of land cheaply, get it rezoned into small lots, develop a few amenities, such as golf courses, sell the lots as a speculation to naive investors and get out quickly, leaving the problems of building on the lots and developing a viable community to others. An article in the Saturday Evening Post in 1966 titled "The Rape of the Land" decried the wanton destruction of vast natural areas in the U.S. by so-called "land development." The article goes on to compliment Republic Development for their low-density zoning and aesthetic planning of The Meadows.

Sadly, Republic Development, as well as many other Southern California land developers (and nationwide as well), ran into financial difficulties. Many frustrating delays occurred, including bad winter storms which washed out the new golf course and newly graded roads. Lot sales were suspended after 1968 and the loan held by Continental Mortgage Investors with a consortium of 110 banks was foreclosed. A series of companies were involved with the property as follows:

Nov 6, 1968 Mortgage Consultants Aug 7, 1970 Am. Land & Lakes of California Inc.

With each successor, the scope of the community lost a little of its luster. Resident golfing members loved having the golf course to themselves, but was enough money being generated to support the facility?

Other problems were in store for The Meadows. In September 1969 a wild fire engulfed over 6900 acres including the acres north of The Meadows. It burned within a few feet of residences and the area was evacuated. The Los Angeles Times erroneously reported the next day that 14 homes had been destroyed in The Meadows area. Scorched evidence of the fire remained for several years in the back country.

Chapter V -- THe Era of Modern Development

September 22, 1970 The Meadows was purchased by Continental Heritage Corporation, Riverside, CA. Title to vacant and unsold developed land was vested in a subsidiary corporation, Golden Meadows, Inc., Gordon Heath, President. Title to the country club and golf course was vested in Meadow Lake Country Club, Inc., a second subsidiary corporation. Name changes were made to Hidden Meadows & Meadow Lake Country Club.

"Golden Meadows," wrote Gordon Heath, "envisions completion of the project in three years with orientation around the existing golf course attraction, plus existing lakes and a new equestrian area." Over the next two years lot sales resumed, the new country club was built and the following tracts were opened for sale:

1971 Tract 7107-Hidden Meadows Unit #1 -(MGWE, Moonview & Grassy Way)-60 lots, 10,000 Sq.Ft. on 22 acres

1972 Tract 7298 Condo Units on C-36 zoning (Commercial) located on 2.8 acres Tract 7391 HM Fairway #1-132 lots of 10,000 Sq.Ft. on 64 acres NE (Faircrest, Par View, Rim Road, Treeside and Meadow Glen Way E.)

When the above tracts were built, the golf course was seriously compromised in the view of members playing at that time. Especially hole five, where a deep cut was made between fourth green and fifth tee for construction of Treeside Lane. Also, lots were platted in the landing area of number five. The roadway of Meadow Glen Way East and the new clubhouse parking lot were extended into the golf course fairway on hole nine. Hole ten was made less playable by the building of the parking lot on the right of the fairway. And then, the villas were built to intrude on the right side of the 13th fairway interfering with the tee shot from the men's tee.

San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Development informed Golden Meadows that no more development maps would be allowed until a Master Plan for the whole area was implemented and approved. Eventually, Private Development Plan (PDP 70-6) was adopted allowing 1166 total dwelling units on 700 acres. A site for a fire station was a requirement for approval. (Filed in 1970, approved 1972.)

Residents became active in objecting to Golden Meadows' plans to build condominiums in Hidden Meadows (HM). They vowed to keep HM a community of single family residences of custom-built homes in a rural atmosphere as envisioned by the original developer. Their attempt to stop the 60 condominiums on Tract 7298 was defeated due to the fact that the land the condominiums were to be built on had previously been zoned commercial. When Private Development Plan PDP 70-6 was approved, it was to be the final Master Plan to guide the future development of Hidden Meadows.

Each lot owner in Hidden Meadows automatically became a member of The Meadows Homes Association to be governed by the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) established by the developer. April 8, 1971 was the first meeting of the Meadows Homes Association in the old Oak Room. At the 1972 meeting two residents (appointed by the developer) were on the Board and one resident on the Environmental Review Board. In answer to a question of a member, the developer stated that meetings were held annually because of limited activity instead of quarterly as scheduled.

The developer participated in the Moosa Canyon Sewage Treatment Plant which was constructed in 1974 to replace the inadequate onsite facility which reverted to open space. In 1971 $850,000 more bonds were sold by Valley Center Water District for Hidden Meadows sewer and water construction. Total indebtedness was now $1,450,000 plus interest for sewer and water improvements. On November 27, 1978 Valley Center Water District reported a 25% delinquency rate on taxes in Hidden Meadows District causing higher taxes to the limited number of residents in above district.

On June 1, 1972, Valley Center Water District proposed several options for additional fire protection. One of the options, a volunteer organization located at Mountain Meadow Road near I-15, was adopted and Deer Springs Volunteer Fire Department was established to serve the area from Jesmond Dene to north of Circle R (including Hidden Meadows).

Those lot purchasers who actually wanted to build a home on their lot, experienced great difficulty in getting approval of their building plans. The local contact with the developer was the sales office and no procedure was available to work with owners wishing to become residents. Inconveniently, plans had to be submitted to the Riverside office. However, the streets were overflowing with an ever changing horde of sharp sales people escorting prospective lot purchasers about the area. The developer hired pretty young women to stand at the foot of the grade to accost each incoming automobile to give a sales pitch to the occupants. The residents who traversed the road several times a day were at First amused and ultimately annoyed by this activity.

A few women golfers, under the guidance of Avis Johnston, organized Meadow Lake CC Women's Golf Association in 1972. Mildred Leonard served as the first president. Avis was president of the Circle R ladies' golf at the time. The new pro, Dave Mancour, helped the men organize their club and Arch Johnston was the first president. The by-laws of MLCC Men's Club were adopted July 22, 1973. Monthly couple's golf on Sundays was under the wing of the ladies' golf club in 1973. A couple's twilight league, couple's Roam From Home, and a three event tournament called "Mr. & Mrs." played on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day were initiated by Hazel Early and loosely administered by electing the coming year's chairmen at a fall banquet at the country club. A majority of the members of both golf clubs were nonresidents of Hidden Meadows.

When the sixty condominiums called, Hidden Meadows Villas, were completed, they sold rapidly to week-enders and speculators for approximately $16,000 to $19,000. The condos eventually provided a convenient rental for some prospective residents while they were in the process of building their homes at Hidden Meadows.

Popular George Dumont, unhappy with his relationship with Golden Meadows, left his employment as manager of the Oak Room and was replaced by Richard Theiler. Richard managed efficiently, but George and Madelaine were a hard act to follow and the personal charm and atmosphere that attracted a local clientele was lost with the Dumont's departure. Richard lived in the older ranch house with his wife, Ruth, and daughter. Richard complained to management about the poor planning of the kitchen in the new clubhouse and layout of the clubhouse in general. As a result, Richard was replaced by Charles Couples shortly after the move to the new clubhouse..

The long awaited clubhouse had several amusing and frustrating problems. The well-equipped exercise room and sauna in the new clubhouse made an excellent sales tool, but members could seldom get in to use the equipment. To get to the showers from the sauna, one had to go through the lobby of the clubhouse, near the bar, to the men's or women's locker rooms on the upper level. The new clubhouse provided the residents a nice place to hold social activities, such as dinner dances. The problem was...everyone talked but none could hear...due to poor acoustics. A person could go home with strained throat muscles from attempting to converse with those seated at the table. Later the "health club" was removed; and the clubhouse was remodeled, placing the pro shop in the lower level of the main clubhouse. The swimming pool was filled in to make a putting green. Despite all the problems, the residents enjoyed having a place to meet and had a good time with sing-alongs, dancing and dinners after couple's golfing events. The club provided music for dancing one night a week.

A Wednesday bridge group of ladies, organized by Mildred Hinman, an avid bridge enthusiast, was a popular diversion. Mildred and Ron Hinman, purchased five acres from the Watsons for their homesite across the street from the new clubhouse. The Hinmans planted an apricot orchard and built three more houses on their property. They have moved to Arizona for ranch life, but the bridge club survives today with 16 members. Later a ladies monthly bridge and luncheon at the club on second Fridays commenced.

Lights were installed on the tennis courts about 1973 after a disgruntled member picketed with placards during some publicity functions promoted at the club by Gordon Heath and Gary Collandar. She also protested the delayed seasonal opening of the swimming pool. Dave Mancour was replaced by Phil Edmonson as head pro.

Fourth-of-July picnics as well as several weddings were held on the patio of the old Oak Room and in the beautiful setting of the lakes nearby. Eventually, vandals sacked the old Oak Room and about 1976 that building plus the old guest house and the small red two- room ranch house and garage were all dismantled leaving only the two bedroom house. Greenskeepers lived in the old ranch house sometimes.

There was much vandalism at the swim club from time to time. Finally the high diving board was removed and a wire fence installed surrounding the pool area, resulting in a decrease in the midnight pool parties by unauthorized youngsters.

My friend, the old oak tree, was about the only thing that still looked as splendid as ever. Lonely and sad, the ancient oak tree lamented, "Just look at this place! Unsightly cracked cement foundations, exposing the many additions made to the old house, brittle, parched brown grass and weeds, the dry beds of the former lakes choked with weeds, all that's left standing of the house is the fireplace chimney. People even came in trucks to dump debris near the stream. The mule deer no longer come down from the hills in the evenings to graze along the lakes as they used to. Even the bobcats and owls seem to have disappeared. Now only the coyotes remain, and they come in noisy, barking and howling packs chasing after rabbits and other game each night. How I long for those days when the pretty lakes and waterfalls with landscaped lawns attracted happy people to sit in the shade, relax and enjoy the charm of the valley."

Residents were surprised, in November 1972, to see a modular home being moved onto a lot in Hidden Meadows. A Meadow Lake Action Committee, (Harley Phillips, Chairman), was formed to stop the fourteen proposed additional modular homes from being moved into the Meadows in non-compliance with the CC&Rs. The lawyer hired by the committee took action to see that no additional modulars were installed in Hidden Meadows. There were 21 family residents at this time.

Despite all the problems with the developer, the residents loved the area, the tranquillity of the rural setting, the diversity of the custom homes being built on the hilly terrain, the spectacular beauty oŁ the natural surroundings and the gorgeous weather. All of these factors were constant topics of conversation.

It didn't take long for Golden Meadows to start proposing changes to the Private Development plan (PDP 70-6.) Boundaries of the swim and tennis club area, golf course, and the building of condominiums were initiated by temporary map 3343. On September 1, 1972, Gordon Heath, President of Golden Meadows, sent a letter to residents proposing to build 593 townhouses on the "island" and west of Mountain Meadow Road and eliminating 15 acres from the golf course. Tract 7653, in 1973, rezoned a parcel from agricultural to residential for 4 estate lots NW and 106 lots of 10,000 Sq. Ft. on 99.3 acres (Hidden Meadows #2).

After many meetings and letters from Gordon Heath and trips to County Planning Dept. hearings, rezoning (R-74-15) in conjunction with development maps (TM 3344 and TM 3345) was approved in September 1974 by the Planning Commission with revisions, despite the objections of a large group of Hidden Meadows residents. The Board of Supervisors denied the plan in April, 1975 due to non-compliance with the previously approved Private Development Plan (PDP 70-6).

As a result of the denial of his plans, temperamental Gordon Heath ordered a shutdown of the golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse restaurant and fired all the employees on March 20, 1975. A picture in the Times Advocate showed Betty Kerr and Lois Lenz being ordered off the golf course by Sheriff's deputies. Lois had just purchased her $2000 membership. After a week the facilities were opened again. John Juris was club pro at this time.

Some of the villas, called Holiday Houses at the Club, were actively promoted as rentals from 2 days for $60 to one month for $425 with unlimited golf privileges. Consequently, many tourists were daily golfers; and, as the course was open to the general public as well, the golf course was very busy during the winter season.

In 1975 Bob Hurt, Miles Houck, Harley Phillips, Bob Gaines and others took an active part in the creation of Association of Resident Owners (ARO), which was instituted as a means of responding to the concerns of Hidden Meadows residents as well as those living in the perimeter area.  The Meadows Homes Association was a vehicle for the developers and not representative of the wishes of the residents who were automatically members when they purchased their lots. Owning so many lots, the developer effectively controlled the organization. The first official meeting of the members of ARO was at the Moose Lodge on Jesmond Dene. ARO also administered various social activities, such as; couples bridge marathon, golf and tennis tournaments, dinner dances, gourmet club, trips and So and Sew--a ladies (mostly nongolfers) monthly social held in homes.

Due to financial difficulties of Golden Meadows, Inc., in March 1976, title to Hidden Meadows property changed to Continental Mortgage Inv. (CMI). Hidden Meadows was one of 92 projects under their umbrella. Soon, CMI filed a Petition under Chapter 11 of the National Bankruptcy Act. Lot sales continued. Robert A. Rogers was involved in the management of Hidden Meadows for CMI as Vice President and Protect Manager as well as President of Meadow Lake Country Club.

A number of couples banded together to form intimate groups for monthly golf and dinner events. The popular "Orphan's Tournament" was instituted by Bonnie and Phil Starbuck for couples who wished to play golf and have dinner together at the club on Thanksgiving. About this time a nine-hole ladies golf club, the Bogy Bunch, was organized under the direction of Fay Floyd. In 1976 country club dues were $60 per month for a family membership plus $240 annual fee for private cart.

Dissatisfied with the operation of Meadow Lake Country Club, a group of members, in 1977, investigated the feasibility of the members purchasing the club. On May 27, 1978 the member group made a cash offer of $500,000 for Meadow Lake Country Club property. The offer was rejected and no further effort was made to purchase the club.

Even though 90% of the lots were not sold, the developer turned the responsibility for The Meadows Homes Association CC&Rs over to the residents in 1977. Administration of the Environmental Review/Architectural Review Board turned out to be a difficult task for the non-paid, appointed members as they were, in effect, judge, jury and enforcer of the CC&Rs and new construction proposals.

Another ownership change took place on July 7, 1978. All stock was transferred to a subsidiary of CMI, Meadow Lake Holding Co.,Inc., as a result of the failure of a prior owner to pay certain obligations owed to CMI. Remaining developable land was held by Escondido Hidden Meadows Inc. At the end of 1978 approximately 300 homes had been built.

During the winter of 1978 storms flooded the whole valley, including parts of the golf course. The lakes, which had been deteriorating, were completely destroyed. Even the newly installed sewer was washed out in the canyon connecting the sewer to Lawrence Welk Village. The sewer line was rebuilt above ground along that stretch of the canyon.

All this time the undeveloped parcels just outside Hidden Meadows were being sold and built upon at a rapid pace. In August 1979 a property owner west of Hidden Meadows obtained a road easement to cut through the cul-du-sac at the end of Sandhurst (Lot 62) to channel traffic on a private road (Sandhurst) from development above through Hidden Meadows.

A couple of Hidden Meadows residents made attempts to discourage the action or force the property owner to maintain Sandhurst, but failed. Meadows Homes Association signed a grant of easement with Howard Kerr and 11 others giving right-of-way over the private street. Hidden Meadows residents, through Meadows Homes Association, are responsible for the upkeep of Sandhurst. Now, in 1987, the whole developing area in the acreage Just outside Hidden Meadows is using this road to reach 1-15.

A proposal to build 44 condominiums on a small parcel (6.17 acres) just outside of Hidden Meadows on a portion of the original Watson ranch which had been sold to Don Starchman was contested by Hidden Meadows residents. Eventually, a 25 unit cluster home development was constructed on the site by Peter Barron in 1978. After completion, the bank foreclosed on the loan and the development stood empty for several years until purchased by Gordon Long Assoc. of Michigan. The houses were "spruced up," named Oak Meadows and finally sold to individual homeowners in 1986-87. Peter Barron left the country as a fugitive and was finally arrested in Panama in the summer of 1987.

On May 1, 1979, the CMI Chapter XI proceeding was converted into a proceeding for reorganization under Chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act. Country club memberships were offered for sale September 1, 1979. In the prospectus, CMI mentioned paying property taxes for the years 1974-1979 of $259,000. In April 1979 the Meadow Lake Country Club subsidiary owed CMI $980,000.

Map (TM3872) was approved in March 1979, and, with the amendment to Private Development Plan (PDP 70-6), modified the "island" designation from 320 townhouses to 89 residential lots and the northeastern 18 acre parcel from two estate lots to six estate lots (Deep Canyon). Tract 9488 approved development of lots on "island" 58 acres; lot numbers assigned to swim & tennis (Lot 179-4.07 acres), golf course and remnant parcels. R78-108 approved August 1979 for appropriate rezoning to implement above.

Another owner, Senior Corporation based in Miami, Fla., purchased Hidden Meadows in 1980 and immediately proceeded to make plans for the only undeveloped areas left in HM: the "island", a few small parcels east of Mountain Meadow Road, and the parcel south of fairway 12.

Page 8 of Rikki Alberson's 1980 report (made prior to approval of PDPa 81-01) states "R79-97 rezoned all golf course areas to agriculture from residential, thereby protecting the golf course from future residential development or other encroachment." Also "P79-153 approved February, permanently permitting the swim and tennis facilities and associated structures and parking areas. Supersedes all previous permits for these uses."

Another interesting item in the 1980 report is a letter to Valley Center Municipal Water District regarding Hidden Meadows sewer facilities. "The Moosa Canyon Plant makes use of percolation ponds and is experiencing some operational difficulties due to a high ground water condition which is expected to continue. To what extent does this condition impair the District's ability to serve the new development?" (This is just six years after completion of the Moosa Canyon Sewage Disposal Plant in 1974.)

At the request of Senior Corporation in 1981, Private Development Plan a81-01 was adopted allowing 129 condominiums (TM 4235 since expired) south of golf fairway #12, deleting acreage from 699.3 to 675 and decreasing the total dwelling units from 1166 to 861. The developer dedicated a lot for a fire station across Mountain Meadow Road from the condominiums. This was to be the final Master Plan to guide the future development of Hidden Meadows. TM 3345 was the last development map to be approved as a part of TM 3872.

In another action the San Diego County Supervisors designated Hidden Meadows area a Country Town in 1981. The County requested names of seven residents of the area to serve as members of a board to represent the designated Country Town area. Two were selected from Meadows Homes Association, two from ARO and two from the area outside Hidden Meadows. Bob Gaines was elected Chairman of the Board of the Community Sponsor Group which is formed "for the purpose of advising and assisting the Planning and Environmental Review Board, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in the preparation, amendment and implementation of community and subregional plans."

Chapter VI -- The Modern Era

By a vote of area residents, the Deer Springs Fire District with full-time paid staff was established in 1981. The County had previously supplied fire trucks. Two fires have destroyed homes in Hidden Meadows. The Baccus home on Lamplighter Lane was completely destroyed in December 1977 and later the Jagnow home on Glenmeade was partially destroyed by fire while renters lived there.

For several years, popular Lon Strand was Meadow Lake CC golf pro followed by Dick Mayer in 1982 as Director of Golf. Brad Booth arrived as head pro following Dick Mayer's departure. Ted Losek was named manager of the Oak Room in 1984. Nancy Hyde, formerly the office manager, was named manager of Meadow Lake Country Club.

Another problem developed for Hidden Meadows residents when a road easement was approved on lot 106 to serve four estate lots; lot entrance to be gated so no through traffic could use the road easement. Meadows Homes Association aware of arrangement in 1985. (Check MHA files.) Restriction on deed of lot 106 was not recorded. Teleklew purchased lot 106 in 1985. A petition signed by Hidden Meadows residents was forwarded to Teleklew asking them not to put the road through lot 106 into Hidden Meadows. Request denied. The Meadows Homes Association negotiated some sort of agreement with Teleklew to allow Rim Rock traffic to go through Hidden Meadows streets. Gate was removed to rear of lot and finally disappeared in 1986. Now a temporary gate is installed at the entrance to Rim Rock, which allows other traffic from developing areas outside Rim Rock to use lot 106 and, of course, the gate is opened whenever trucks desire to reach Rim Rock.

Now Hidden Meadows is being inundated by traffic from the surrounding developing acreages: to the east (Valley Center areas) on Meadow Glen Way East, to the north (Rim Rock and others) through lot 106, Meadow Glen Way West and Glenmeade, to the west on Sandhurst through lot 62.

Attempting to sell all remaining lots they owned, a lot auction was held in 1985 by Senior Corporation. People camped out all night in front of the clubhouse in order to get first choice when the sales office opened in the morning.

After months of rumors, residents were informed that on June 30, 1986 Hidden Meadows was purchased by Lawrence Welk's Teleklew Productions, Inc. Robert Dias was appointed Meadow Lake Country Club manager. Robert Van Orden replaced Ted Losek as Oak Room manager.

After lengthy sessions to revise the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and obtain the required number of signatures, The Meadows Homes Association CC&R update was ratified in October 1986. In another action, the Meadows Homes Association assumed responsibility for the monthly cost of $28.60 for two street lights on Mountain Meadow Road, previously installed by Golden Meadows, when Senior Corporation refused to pay SDG&E.

May 1987 Teleklew proposed General Plan Amendment 87-03, Specific Plan Amendment 87-005, Rezone 87-014, Major Use Permit 79-152--Golf Course Changes, and TM 4605 (Meadow Glen Way West extension through the lot 106 access to Teleklew's Rim Rock development). The proposal would eliminate about 57 acres of open space from Hidden Meadows and add more housing units.

Teleklew graded a road through lot 106 in May 1987 destroying many trees in the process. Residents objected by over 100 persons sending $1 or more (for the $165 appeal fee) with a letter asking for appeal of TM 4605 to San Diego County Dept. of Land Use--all to no avail. The County mailed refunds.

In 1987 a convenience store was opened across from the clubhouse just north of Meadow Glen Way East. The store and an office building were constructed on the former site of the Watson vegetable gardens, on land which had been zoned commercial. By this time, Will Watson's ranch has been reduced to 6 1/2 acres by gifts to his children and sale to various individuals.

"It's just too beautiful to change," said Republic Development about Meadow Lake Ranch when they purchased it in 1965, "716 acres of just about the most beautiful land in North County. Lots of big old oak and sycamore trees, gently rolling hills, broad expanses of grassy meadowland and a lake full of trout, the place had a lot going for it. to begin with. Our idea is to provide a limited number of choice homesites within a complex of recreational facilities and leave all the natural features of the land virtually intact."

As OLR (oldest living resident) of Hidden Meadows, the old oak tree, certainly agrees with the original developer's fine ideas. "It's a matter of survival."

Just what will be the fate of the gnarled ancient oak? Will it (and the old apple and persimmon trees) be on the edge of a golf course fairway to be admired by all, or will these trees and the old ranch house all disappear in the name of progress? Only time will tell.

Some Other Interesting Facts About Hidden Meadows

There is a 30 foot pedestrian/equestrian easement along the southern border of the property and east of Mountain Meadow Road.

The wilderness and hiking trail (not developed) area in Hidden Meadows southwest corner (60.5 acres) is part of the Merriam Mountain Resource Conservation Area (MMRCA). According to Ann Ewing of San Diego County Land Use Dept., these Resource Conservation Areas were created to indicate a picturesque area of environmental sensitivity harboring endangered species--a signal to planners to seek analysis of resources. The 36.2 acres (Parcel B), which are included in Teleklew's GPA 87-03/SPA 87-005/Rezone R 87-014, seeking rezone for estate lots (and delete from Hidden Meadows) are within the MMRCA. The County states this would be a good reason for non-development of this property designated as open space on the current plan (PDPa 81-O1).

A wilderness park, picnic, trail area and bird sanctuary (21 acres) are located in the southeastern corner of Hidden Meadows.

Elsinore, about 11 miles northeast of Hidden Meadows, is the closest active fault. The largest recorded earthquake along this fault measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale occurred in 1975.

The small stream that flows through the area is a tributary of the Moosa Creek.

Wilderness area oak forests are composed of canopies of coast live oak and stands of Englemann oak. Other native trees found are California sycamore, willow, holly-leafed scrub oak, Englemann scrub oak and cottonwood.

Wildlife

[See footnote]

Some of the plants found in the undisturbed natural areas are: cameos, buckwheat, laurel leaf sumac, dodder (witch's hair), little club-moss, several types of fern, sugar bush, poison oak, periwinkle, milkweed, white and black sagebrush, mugwort, slender aster, mulefat, coyote brush, broom baccharis, brickellbush, pincushion flower, thistle, golden yarrow, fragrant everlasting, goldenbush, smooth cats-ear, goldenrod, stephanomeria, white forget-me-not, salt heliotrope, water-cress, southern honeysuckle, Mexican elderberry, spreading snowberry, spear saltbush, rock-rose, western bindweed, chalk lettuce, wild cucumber, manzanita, holly, dove weed, wild sweet pea, leather root, rigid hedgenettle, many-flowered mallow, white mulberry, wishbone bush, cottonweed, skunkweed, Turkish rugging, knotweed, smartweed, chaparral virgin's bower, ceanothus, redberry, small-flowered mountain-mahogany, toyan, sticky cinquefoil, holly-leaved cherry, wild rose, California blackberry, bedstraw, chaparral currant, fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, white snapdragon, thread-leaved bird's beak, red, orange and scarlet monkey-flower, coast figwort, jimson weed, nightshade, verbena, wild grape, yucca, rush, cattail, wild rye, foxtail, bunch-grass, scapellote.

Mammals observed are: cottontail rabbit, brush rabbit, grey ground squirrel, dusky-footed wood rat, pocket gopher, coyote, gray fox, striped skunk, bobcat, southern mule deer, packrat, weasel, possum, mountain lion.

Birds observed: turkey vulture, cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, American kestrel, barn owl, horned owl, California quail, mourning dove, white-throated swift, Anna's hummingbird, common flicker, acorn woodpecker, ashthroated flycatcher, black phoebe, scrub jay, roadrunner, common raven, mountain chickadee, plain titmouse, bushtit, wrentit, starling, house wren, mockingbird, California thrasher, western bluebird, phainopepla, loggerhead shrike, red-winged blackbird, house finch, purple finch, lesser goldfinch, rufous-sided towhee, brown towhee, mallard, ruddy duck, belted kingfisher, loggerhead shrike.

Amphibians include various salamanders, toads, bullfrogs and pacific treefrog. Among the reptiles are many types of lizards and snakes including three types of rattlesnakes, gopher, coastal rosy boa, and two-striped garter snake.

INDIAN LORE

According to studies made, books written and recapped in several Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) in 1974-77-80-87, Indians were present in the area of Hidden Meadows over 8,000 years ago, mostly in temporary camps. The five prehistoric sites located in 1974 were described as "two Diegueno camp and food processing sites, one Diegueno flaking station, one La Jolla temporary camp site and one is a culturally non-specific flaking station (Ryzdynkki). Four of the sites were registered in 1977 as SDi-5189, SDi-5190, SDi-5191 and SDi-5192. The most significant of the findings is site SDi-5190 which is thought to be one large site with SDi-5191. These sites are located west of Mountain Meadow Road across from the sixty condominiums near the south boundary of Hidden Meadows property. The site and surrounding oak-rich riparian woodland remain intact with several granite boulders and outcrops which facilitated prehistoric food grinding and processing. Site overlooks the drainages that converge near and flow to the west.

Interestingly, in a September 1986 report from San Diego Museum of Man, "a local collector Jenks" is named as having found W. Diegueno trade pottery cached specimens in granite boulder piles in the Oat Hills and Kuchel Mesa region. Bob Jenks was the great-grandson of the first owner of Meadow Lake Ranch (George Kuchel). While attending Palomar College, Jenks made a study of the local Indians. Bob has since passed away.

Steve Crothamel of Palomar College (American Indian Studies) states that Bob Jenks made several important finds of pottery on the Kuchel ranch which are in the possession of the S.D. Museum of Man. He believes the area was the site of Indian villages, but evidence has long since been destroyed.

Archaeological investigation of Polan/Berryman defined those early people as part of the Late Archaic Horizon, and probably the direct ancestors of the present-day Luiseno Indians. A pattern of seasonal exploitation of local environments as they moved through the area that was defined as their own, and defended from all intruders, was typical. Semi-permanent villages, with populations of 50 to 100, were located at either lower-elevation foothills in winter or higher-elevation mountains in the summer.

Luiseno is a term that was given by the Spanish to the people living near the San Luis Rey Mission. Linguistically, the Luiseno belong to the Shoshonean language family, which relates them to the Cahuilla, Cupeno, Gabrieleno, and the Capistrano. The name for their speech was Ne-tela or Chamtela (Krober, 1908:6).

The Luiseno practiced the Chingishnish form of religion, a forceful tolache cult, with all its ceremonial behavior. The religious cult came from the islands of Santa Catalina and San Clemente to San Juan Capistrano and then to San Luls Rey.

It spread to the upland Luiseno places such as Rincon, Potrero, Yapiche, La Jolla and then to the Dieguenos of Mesa Grande and Santa Ysabel. The secret religion was based on ritual and vision questing (DuBois, 1908:74). The Chingishnish ceremony incorporated the use of geometric sandpainting with seeds or meal being sprinkled over sand to form the designs .

Specific villages practiced a form of rock art with chains of diamonds, cross-hatching, circles, crosses and linear patterns of dots or straight lines and combinations of these. A good example of this Indian art has been observed on rocks near Hidden Meadows.

To the Luiseno, the lineage was considered the basic political unit. Kinship, marriage, rights of succession and residency rules were all determined by lineage. Membership in the lineage was based on patrilineal descent. The various lineages were grouped into exogamous clans which formed endogamous territorial functions.

Sources: Appendix to Draft Environmental Impact Report,

Hidden Meadows Specific Plan Amendment, June 198

Rikki Alberson's workup for PDP 81-01 In 1980 (PRC

Toups Corp. 223 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA)

Avis Johnston

Harriet Crise DeGraw

Will Watson

Bob Gaines

Saturday Evening Post

Floral identification utilized Munz Flora of Southern California

Copyright 1987 Hazel Collin Early