| The Lemon Tree | |
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Newsletter of the Lemon Grove Historical Society Spring
2005
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| SOCIETY'S
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE CREATE MURAL |
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 Our artists-in-residence, Katy Strzelecki and Janne LaValle have completed a gorgeous mural along "Walkway of the Stars" between La Mesa Boulevard and Allison Street. Katy was commissioned by the La Mesa City Council to paint her design, "Canine Corner Dog Run, on a large wall panel. It was such a large project (see accompanying picture), Katy asked Janne to assist by lending her skill with landscapes to the happy scene of adults, kids and pooches galore. Next Stop: The south wall of the venerable Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove, where a mural will evoke the story of the town. The bakery was 50 years old in March and operates in the oldest, continuously operated commercial building in Lemon Grove, having been established as a general store in 1893. From 1908 into the mid-1970s it was run by the famed Sonka family, prime builders of modern Lemon Grove. |
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| THE ALLISONS: PIONEER LAND SPECULATORS AND SHEEP RANCHERS | |
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many requests for more information about the Allisons, we begin their story in this issue and will continue it in the summer issue. Ed.) In 1868 Robert Allison and his wife, Tempa, came to San Diego from their cattle and sheep ranch at Vacaville, Calif. Robert's health was failing and they were seeking a more healthful climate. He was so impressed with the young city of San Diego that he bought several city lots and county lands, including the 4,203-actre Lot 12 of the former Mission Rancho from the heirs of Santiago Argüello, one of the last of the "Californios." The heirs' internecine quarrels led to the loss of most of their holdings. Lot 12 included most of modern Encanto, Lemon Grove and La Mesa. Robert also bought the Cuyamaca Rancho with Juan Luco as a partner. The Allisons returned to the Sacramento area where Robert disposed of his business interests. In September, 1868, he put his son, Frank, in charge of driving 3,500 sheep to San Diego. After wintering the sheep in the area that is now Pasadena, they arrived at the San Diego Mission in May, 1869. The sheep were held there until July when they were driven to the Cuyamaca Rancho. Robert built a family home in San Diego and set up the sheep business near the springs south of the area later called La Mesa. They continued to drive the sheep to the Cuyamacas in the spring and return to the lower lands in winter. The La Mesa area was astride the route from San Diego to the mountains and the ranches that arose when gold was discovered at Julian in 1869. The subsequent land boom in the county lasted until about 1888. The area later called Lemon Grove was not developed until the land boom ended mainly because it lacked water and was not on a traveled route. Also, due to poorly-defined land boundaries of the Spanish and Mexican land grants, it was not possible to give the buyers accurate surveys. As a result local courts were overloaded with boundary dispute cases. On Jan. 14, 1886, however, the courts established boundaries for Allison's Lot 12. On May 14 the San Diego Flume Company was organized to bring water from the mountains. A year later, on Sept. 11, the San Diego Cuyamaca and Eastern Railroad was organized. Robert Allison was a financial partner in the flume and the railroad since both enhanced the saleability of his land. (To be continued....) |
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| FOR SALE: |
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| We are selling for $350 or best
offer a five-foot tall, oak, Victorian style victrola cabinet designed to hold a VCR and TV set. It features brass drop pulls and retractable doors and is in beautiful condition. On display now in the H. Lee House, 3205 Olive. (Alas, no photo of this beauty). |
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