Borrego Springs Local • October 5, 2023
Borego Valley Timeline
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1772
Lieutenant Pedro Fages, of the Presidio in San Diego, is considered the first non-Indian to traverse this region, when he visited the area in pursuit of deserters.
1774
Juan Bautista De Anza, the son and grandson of Spanish frontier captains, discovers one of the first land routes to California through the Borrego Valley.
1776
Anza leads 240 soldiers and colonists, including 115 children, and about 1,000 horses, cattle and mules, on an epic march of American history 1,600 miles from Culiacan, Mexico, up through Borrego Valley, eventually founding the Pueblo of San Francisco.
1782
The native palm tree is first noted in a written diary by Fages.
1831
The Jackson party of American trappers, including J.T. Warner of Warner Ranch fame, enters California via the Borrego region.
1846
Kit Carson (pictured here) and an escort of 15 men pass through the area guiding Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny on to what would become the battle of San Pasqual.
1848
Gold is discovered in California and there is heavy migration from Baja, California and Sonora, Mexico via the Borrego region.
1850
Judge Benjamin Hayes passes through area as he enters California to become first Judge of the Southern District of California from 1852-1864
1858
Butterfield Overland Mail passes through Borrego on first overland mail delivery between St. Louis and San Francisco. The 2,812 mile trip takes 23 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes. Operations were suspended in 1861.
1869
Gold is discovered and the mining towns of Julian and Banner are born to the west of Borrego Valley. 1880’s Cattleman bring cattle into lower parts of Borego Valley for winter grazing at current location of Borrego Springs.
1907
Present day Salton Sea forms as a result of a break in the Colorado River.
1910
First homesteaders begin to arrive in the valley and Borego becomes an agricultural area.
1913
Borego’s most famous early settler – Alfred Armstrong “Doc” Beaty arrives in the valley.
1920
Borrego has active Chamber of Commerce and the common acceptance of the spelling “Borrego” takes over from “Borego.” (except in Old Borego)
1928
Eslie Wynn builds his home, which houses Borego’s first post office. He is appointed Postmaster. Installed the valley’s first gas pump. Borego’s first school classes are held in the Harold Bemis cabin. First teacher is Addie Woosley and there are 20 students. La Jollan Guy L. Fleming and Clinton Abbott of San Diego submit first plans for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. “Beggars of Life,” a silent movie starring Wallace Beery and Louise Brooks is filmed.
1929
Borego Valley Store and post office Eslie Wynn builds grocery store across the street from his home and moves the post office into the store. He also adds a county library. Harry Oliver’s first home on the desert was in the Borrego Valley. Harry and a group of Hollywood pals founded the Borego Valley Growers in 1929, and took up four adjoining homesteads in Section 24 in the northeast part of the Valley.
1932
Wynn takes over hauling the mail and James Thomson becomes Postmaster. Palm Springs developer Dana Burks and other investors purchase 13,500 acres in the valley. 1933 A garage is added alongside the Borego Grocery Store.
1934
Thomson resigns as Postmaster and Glenn Duvall takes the position. First school house is built at current location of the Borrego Springs Elementary School.
1935
Wynn dies of a heart attack after getting into an argument over an unpaid burro rental fee. Glenn Duvall and brother Edward buy the store.
1936
Eddie Duvall takes over the store, becomes Postmaster and operates the store into the late 1950’s.
1937
One of the first structures in Borrego Valley, a simple adobe house at Burks Ranch is sold by Burks to Noel & Ruth Crickmer. They begin adding cabins to the property.
1939
Dana Burks’ original adobe ranch houseNoel & Ruth Crickmer who previously managed the Del Mar Hotel, opens the valley’s first hotel, the Desert Lodge on Thanksgiving Day. Dinner is served to 17 guests. The population of Borrego Springs zooms to 25 people.
1940
There are still no paved roads or electric lines or telephone service in the valley. Post Office closes and does not re-open until 1949. About
1940
Joseph Salvador Di Giorgio purchases 1700 acres and drills the first well. The Di Giorgio Fruit Corporation would become the largest fruit producer in the world.
1942
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Borrego comes alive with Army and Marine units in training.
1945
In May the San Diego Gas & Electric Company agreed to bring the first power line into Borrego Valley. Electric service begins in October.
1947
The Crickmer’s sell the Desert Lodge to George J. Kuhrts, III & Perry H Burnand. Crickmer’s purchase Fred Lanz homestead and open the valley’s second resort, the Tub Canyon Guest Ranch.
1948
On New Year’s Day the Hoberg’s Desert Resort opened. Screen Star & local resident Frank Morgan (the wizard in the Wizard of Oz) was named the first Honorary Mayor of Borrego Springs.
1949
Sal Carson, Hoberg’s resident orchestra leader, writes a hit tune entitled “Borrego”. The Borrego Sun, the valley’s only local newspaper, is published for the first time in March by Paul W. Strand. The brand new Borrego Springs Airport is dedicated on May 1. Master of Ceremonies is radio and screen star Leo Carrillo. Borrego Air Ranch is constructed.
1950
Borrego Desert Club is formally opened with a Luau attended by such notables as Di Giorgio, Kuhrts, Scripps, Chaney, Hoberg, Carrillo and others. Di Giorgio Fruit Corporation ships 149,000 packages of grapes from Borrego Springs.
1951
The Borrego Sun is sold to George J. “Bud” Kuhrts III and Jack Benson. Joseph Di Giorgio dies and his nephew Robert Di Giorgio becomes chairman & president of the corporation with focus on land development in the valley.
1952
A.A. Burnand, Jr builds a $10,000 water fountain at Christmas Circle as a memorial to the agricultural pioneer, Joseph S. Di Giorgio.
1954
James S. Copley purchases the Borrego Sun “as a lark” for the sum of $5000. The Copley’s would remain publishers of the Borrego Sun for the next 54 years. Robert Di Giorgio, James Copley, William H. Black and A.A. Burnand, Jr develop the de Anza Country Club. Later they go on to develop the De Anza Villas and Vista Villas.
1958
“The Young Lions,” starring Marlon Brando, Dean Martin and Montgomery Clift, is filmed in Borrego. On April 22, the redwood resort Borrego Palms (formerly the Hoberg’s Desert Resort) is virtually destroyed by fire. There was no Fire Dept in Borrego Valley at that time. Late 1950’s Hollywood celebrity Bing Crosby and others purchases 3,000 acres in the “Sleepy Hollow” area near the Borrego Air Ranch. It was never developed.
1960
The Copley family (newspaper empire) purchases The Desert Lodge and changes the name to La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort. Crickmer’s original adobe, the Desert Lodge, is now a part of the lobby.
1964
On the old Ensign Ranch construction of apartments at what is now Club Circle begins in April. In December the Borrego Springs Park Clubhouse opens, now known as the Borrego Springs Resort & Spa.
1965
The County Marshall, in a bankruptcy dispute, padlocks the Borrego Springs Park Clubhouse. It would remain closed and vacant for the next 34 years. Di Giorgio Development Company builds The Mall and the Villas Borrego on Palm Canyon Dr.
1968
The Roadrunner Club Mobile Home Park on Palm Canyon Dr. is built by Robert Di Giorgio. Mid 1970’s Robert Di Giorgio builds Indian Head Ranch estates at the north end of Borrego Valley.
1982
At the south side of Borrego Springs Robert Di Giorgio begins construction on the 3,000 + acre resort Rams Hill Country Club.
1988
Rams Hill County Club is sold to the Southmark Pacific Corporation / Borrego Springs Development Corporation.
1991
Robert Di Giorgio dies. “Bugsy,” starring Warren Beatty, is filmed in Borrego. John & Bill Cameron (Cameron Brothers Construction) [2] purchase the Borrego Springs Park property and begin a $100 million project to restore the golf course and clubhouse, build a 100 room hotel and senior housing.
1999
Larry Latham (Rams Hill LLC) purchases Rams Hill. 2000 Legendary TV series “X-Files” began its eighth season with two segments set in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
2002
Western United Life Assurance Company purchases Rams Hill.
2004
September 8 GH Capital of Sherman Oaks, CA, buys Rams Hill Country Club and hires Tom Fazio to design an entirely new golf course to replace the existing one. In addition to the new golf course GH renovates the clubhouse & redesigns the entrance at a total cost in excess of 65 million dollars. The country club is renamed Montesoro Golf Club & Resort. This is the most expensive and ambitious project in the history of Borrego Springs to date.
2007
GH Capital purchases the Casa del Zorro in December from David Copley, spends more than 20 million dollars in renovations and changes the name to Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa. Late in the year the Stock Market nearly collapses. 2009 Huell Houser sheds the spotlight on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the village of Borrego Springs in his “Road Trip” series. GH Capital shuts down Montesoro Golf and Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa and places them on the market for sale. 2010 Montesoro re-opens in November as a public golf course.
2009
Huell Houser sheds the spotlight on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the village of Borrego Springs in his “Road Trip” series.
GH Capital shuts down Montesoro Golf and Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa and places them on the market for sale.
2010
Montesoro re-opens in November as a public golf course.
The Anza-Borrego Foundation purchases 1,200 acres in Borrego Valley, known as the Lucky 5 Ranch, for conservation purposes.
2011
The Julian-Borrego Springs Dark-Sky Coalition is formed to protect the night skies over the region and promote dark-sky tourism.
The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center opens its doors.
2012
The 8th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival is held in January.
The Galleta Meadows Estate, a collection of large metal sculptures, is installed throughout the Borrego Valley.
2013
The Rams Hill Golf Course is purchased by a group of local investors, and the country club is once again renamed Rams Hill Golf Club.
The Borrego Springs Library is renovated and expanded.
2015
The Borrego Art Institute opens its doors to the public.
2017
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park experiences a wildflower “super bloom,” drawing visitors from all over the world. The Borrego Springs Unified School District opens a new performing arts center.
2018
The Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau unveils a new branding campaign for the town, promoting it as a “dark-sky community.”
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic affects tourism in Borrego Springs and forces the cancellation of the 2020 Borrego Springs Film Festival. The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is temporarily closed to visitors.
A 1966 Borrego Sun photo offers a glimpse of Christmas Circle during one of Borrego Valley's busy wildflower seasons. Published in the April 2, 1966 edition, the image shows visitors relaxing on the lawn near the iconic fountain after spending time exploring the desert in bloom. The original caption reads: SIESTA — One can get pretty hot and tired, looking at the wildflowers in Borrego Valley. Christmas Circle, with its inviting fountain, trees and green grass, is a nice place to take a break. This is the way it has been during the last few weekends. The photograph captures a quiet moment in Borrego Springs history, preserving the way visitors experienced Christmas Circle nearly 60 years ago. Images like this continue to document the community's past through the pages of the Borrego Sun archives.
When the future of the Community Concert Association was uncertain, Bill Wright inspired a path forward through growth, volunteers and community support. As the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association announces its new season, it is worth remembering the people who helped keep this tradition alive. Founded in 1975, the all-volunteer nonprofit brings high-quality, eclectic music to Borrego Springs. Each season includes five public concerts and four free educational concerts for local students. Children are bused to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to experience professional live music, and musicians also visit local schools for interactive programs that introduce students to music up close. That tradition almost came to an end. When the Association had fallen on hard times (2015) and was preparing to disband, Bill Wright stepped forward. By reaching out to his many business associates, Bill raised enough money to help save the organization and keep professional musicians coming to the Borrego stage. Among his written correspondence with the board, Bill Wright repeatedly advocated for “growth, not reduction,” encouraged members to “recruit new volunteers” and “develop sponsorship opportunities,” and closed one letter with a promise that captured his commitment: “We will do more than our share to keep the great music series going.”
January 20, 1977 Xmas circle 25 years old By VIRGINIA DeMARAIS Under the supervision of A. A. Burnand Jr., the $10,000 Christmas Circle fountain was nearing completion 25 years ago this month. The fountain is in memory of J. A. Di Giorgio, pioneer agricultural developer of Borrego Springs. Other events twenty-five years ago: Lucy Hillyer of Borrego Springs is the new president of the North San Diego County Chamber of Commerce. Bill DeMarais was installed as president of the Borrego Springs Kiwanis Club. Other officers are L. W. Lindherr, vice-president; Fred Gardner, treasurer and Roy Gentel, secretary. Membership of the club is 32. The Cliff Boren Construction Company of San Diego has completed three new homes. Hal Martinez reports a start on a three-bedroom home for William Sanderson near the Desert Lodge. Harry LeClaire, tract manager for the Borrego Springs Company, reports 20 parcels of land sold during the holidays, totaling $50,000. Work has started on straightening Banner Summit Grade, reports Hugh Woods, vice-president of the Highway 78 Association. The Borrego Springs Square Dance Club is meeting at Hoberg’s Desert Resort. Wick Hauser is caller and teacher, Dick Wear – manager. Girl Scout Troop 441 of Borrego Springs serenaded the valley with Christmas carols, under the supervision of Mrs. Ralph Bell, Girl Scout leader, and Mrs. Charles Broeske, assistant. Mrs. Lola LeBard has started construction of a house and trailer court at Sunny Acres on Split Mountain Road. Borrego starts the new year with 18 telephones in the valley. Cover girl for the recently published Redbook Magazine is Dolores Smith Dalzell, daughter of the Borrego mail carrier, George C. Smith. Chamber of Commerce president Hugh Woods reports discussions at meeting of possibility of a bank by Perry Burnand, and suggestions and ideas on promoting television reception in the valley. Birdies are not eagles! Our typewriter slipped when we said W. D. Johnston got an eagle 3 on the par 4 18th hole at De Anza in the last edition. It was, of course, an eagle 2. A review of 1961 A review of 1961 indicates several construction projects: Bill Furlong’s El Patio Shopping Center; a new Post Office; Norman Gilbert’s Building Service Center; the new Road Department Station on Borrego Valley Road; a nearly completed drive-in cafe for J. J. Svoboda; a new swimming pool and remodeling of six units at La Casa del Zorro; a swimming pool added at the Park ’n Plunge; Sun and Shadows, grown to four duplex units and a swimming pool; seven new homes at De Anza Desert Country Club and construction started on expansion of clubhouse; a new subdivision “SunGold” opened by Carlson-Corey Co. This has been sale month: the Borrego Pharmacy was sold to Arthur Holzman, Hacienda del Sol sold to Donald King-Ellison, Borrego Village sold to Thomas Beaudry, Ed Rogers took over the painting business of Denis Such, the Chevron Station was taken over by Hugh Woods, the Union Station sold to Jack Barling. New openings were the Carlson-Corey Realty Company, the Marga-Reta Remembrance Shop, the Bottle Shop, the Bantam Market, and the Lazy V. Cafe. Service seminar Eleven local men recently were given certificates for attending a special electronic ignition service seminar sponsored by J & R Auto Supply in Borrego Springs. The seminar was designed to familiarize them with the new automotive electronic ignition systems, according to John A. Bowley of J & R. Besides Bowley, participants included Ted Townsend of Borrego Automotive; Joe Romas and John Guelke of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; Billy Lawrence and Thomas Heiser of Borrego Springs Fire Department; John Petrich, Union 76 station; Paul Dellostrillo, Earl Cartier and Dale Cartier of Cartier Mobile Service; Angus Smith of De Anza Country Club, and Henry Barling Jr., Borrego Springs Dump Truck Service. Ewe goes to L.A. The body of the Bighorn sheep ewe that was found in possession of a man on Montezuma Grade was donated to the Los Angeles County Museum and will become part of a diorama there. Salton Sea steady The Salton Sea water level (-229.3 feet) has remained at that level from Sept. 30 to early December, according to Craig Engel, manager of the State Parks Department Salton Sea Area. Engel said this indicates that “perhaps the water monitoring, higher water rates and fines imposed by the Irrigation District are working.”
San Diego History Center Opens America 250 Exhibit Celebrating the Nation's 250th Anniversary
A December 1939 travel magazine captured Borrego Valley as one of Southern California's emerging desert destinations. One of the many historic items preserved with the Borrego Sun collection is a rare issue of Motor and Outing Magazine , published by the Los Angeles Examiner on Sunday, December 3, 1939 . The "Motor and Outing Magazine" was a popular recurring Sunday supplement distributed in the Los Angeles Examiner during the mid-20th century. It primarily featured regional travel guides, automotive lifestyle stories, and outdoor recreational content showcasing destinations and weekend trips across Southern California. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was officially established by the State of California in 1933 . This particular page shows how Borrego Valley was presented to Southern California travelers in 1939. The accompanying caption describes the valley as “a spectacular cactus scene” and notes that it was part of Anza Desert State Park, highlighting the desert’s seasonal beauty with “spring flowers” blooming in winter. Nearly 90 years later, the image offers a rare glimpse of Borrego as an early desert destination promoted to motorists exploring Southern California by car. The photographs in the feature are credited to John H. C. Stingle , who documented several scenic locations throughout San Diego County for the publication. Historic items like this help tell the story of how Borrego Springs was introduced to visitors long before it became the community we know today. They provide a unique glimpse into early tourism, desert travel, and the publications that showcased the region's beauty nearly 90 years ago. ---- These documents are part of the Borrego Sun materials acquired by Ram Media Foundation . Separately, The Borrego Sun archives are being preserved and digitized by the San Diego History Center , ensuring that decades of Borrego Springs history will be preserved for future generations. To support the future of local media and preserve the past, please contact Andrea at andrea@rammediafoundation.org .
California Newspaper Publishers Association Merit Awards presented to the Borrego Sun for Best Front Page in 1966 and 1967.
