Sourcebook Volume 8, 2009

The Faces of Fallbrook

The Friendly Village is rich with historical and colorful stories that explain how the village has evolved into a giving and charitable community. Beginning with our early pioneer families, through the decades, different “Faces of Fallbrook” have formed and influenced the town we know and admire.

Many individuals and organizations have left their mark on Fallbrook and opened windows of possibilities and dreams for future generations. Reminiscing back to yesteryear, we will highlight the pioneers who laid the foundation of Fallbrook’s generosity and the people behind our nonprofit organizations who have followed suit. Through the ages, involved community members have led Fallbrook into the future with their innovative ideas and assertive energy.

Vital and Amelia Reche: Giving to Fallbrook since the beginning

In July 1869, Vital Reche named our town Fall Brook after being inspired by an enormous 20-foot waterfall splashing near his home.

The soil, rich with nutrients, made Fall Brook a farming haven for Vital. He and his brother Anthony purchased 160 acre parcels in the area that is now known as Live Oak Park.

Vital had a penchant for agriculture and planted various fruit trees, strawberries and alfalfa. With the help of his hardworking family, he also built a successful bee farm with an impressive 130 colonies for honey production.

As Fall Brook grew in population, Vital’s wife, Amelia, offered school lessons for the children in their home. By 1880, a total of 25 families were residing in Fall Brook. Vital donated land for a schoolhouse on his property and it was named Reche Grove School.

Trying to meet the needs of a growing town, Vital opened the Reche Store, selling a variety of “must-have items,” including his Fall Brook honey. It didn’t take long for Fall Brook honey to become popular. Vital frequently brought his inventory to San Diego for nationwide shipment by horse-drawn wagon.

The hustle and bustle of the Reche Store increased when Vital’s postmaster permit was accepted in 1878, allowing for the first Fall Brook Post Office.

As more families relocated to Fall Brook, the need for a larger schoolhouse surfaced. Vital donated more land in 1886 to enable the 24-foot by 28-foot schoolhouse named the Reche School.

Today, the memory of Vital lives on in Live Oak Park, Reche Road and the Reche Schoolhouse.

The Gird and Lamb families: offering an influential foundation to Fallbrook

Other influential Fallbrook pioneers were the Gird and Lamb families. Deeply rooted in Fallbrook history, they also contributed to this community, its schools and government.

The Gird name rings loudly in Fallbrook, not only from Gird Road but also from Gird Mountain and Gird Valley. After forming a wagon trail from Illinois to northern California back in 1853, Henry Gird eventually arrived in Fallbrook in 1880.

The West Point graduate purchased 4,500 acres for $1 per acre from Don Tomas Alvarado of Monserate Rancho. This land consisted of Gird Valley and beyond.

In Fallbrook, Gird continued his endeavors as a rancher, raising cattle and trotting stock. His vast orchard was bountiful with both native and foreign fruit and nut trees.

In 1884, a flood forced the Gird family out of their old Serrano adobe home. Deciding it was time to build a home at a higher elevation, Gird called upon the help of Denver (D.O.) Lamb, a talented carpenter.

Lamb made Fallbrook his homestead after the Gird home was constructed and became a respected rancher in the area himself. Likewise, he became involved in Fallbrook. A handful of Denver’s accolades include: organizing the Fallbrook Co-op Store, becoming a Fallbrook school trustee, becoming the president of and organizing the Fallbrook Producers and Supply Association, donating land for Live Oak Park, becoming the president of the North County Chamber of Commerce, earning statewide recognition with the Farm Bureau and being one of the first of the farm leaders for the San Diego County Fair.

Lamb was an influential Fallbrook community member who was at the forefront of Fallbrook’s progression.

Early Fallbrook: The birth of Fallbrook’s nonprofit groups

As Fallbrook expanded, multiple grassroots groups began to take root to meet the needs of the increasing population. Many of these associations evolved into powerful nonprofit organizations.

Because Fallbrook had an unincorporated status, the need for nonprofit organizations was high. Rather than waiting for San Diego County to address an issue, these nonprofit groups were the galvanized force to “make things happen.”

Back in 1907, when Fallbrook was barely a dot on the map, the Fallbrook Woman’s Club came into existence. Its volunteers raised funds for charitable acts and encouraged people to become involved in the community. Now 102 years old, this nonprofit continues to contribute to the vitality of Fallbrook.

By 1920, nearly 600 people were residing in Fallbrook, and more businesses began to open their doors. The Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1926 to help these businesses succeed in their endeavors. The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 1949 and continues to be a valuable entity for Fallbrook businesses.

1930s to 1950s in Fallbrook: A concern for the ill and infirm grows

As Fallbrook developed within this timeframe, its residents focused deeper into the welfare of the community.

With the increasing population, a not-for-profit Fallbrook Hospital was founded in a private home on Main Street in 1936, but raising money for this small facility and keeping nurses on staff was a challenge.

The Fallbrook Hospital District was created in 1950 to raise money for a larger facility. In 1960, with the help of private donations as well as state and federal funds, the Fallbrook Hospital on Elder Street was finally built.

The Fallbrook Hospital Auxiliary was created in 1959, a year before the not-for-profit hospital was constructed. Since its inception, the Auxiliary’s mission has been to provide strong volunteer support for the hospital, patients and community, and has been a lifeline for many.

1960s and 1970s in Fallbrook: Youth, Art, Education and Nature groups take a stand

During this era, enriching youth programs, the arts and education was the concern of Fallbrook residents, as was the need to preserve Fallbrook’s green splendor.

In 1960, the town’s population reached 4,814. With so many families in the area, children needed a place to thrive outside of school. In 1962, several community members founded the Boys’ Club, renamed the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of North County in 1990.

The canvas of Fallbrook’s artistic culture received a boost when Carlton Poling founded the Fallbrook Art Association in 1962. Incorporated in 1969, this nonprofit made an impact supporting and showcasing the arts. Without realizing it, Poling laid the foundation to allow Fallbrook to be considered the growing art community it is today.

For a certain group of women, having a successful library meant more than book storage. With the goal of a prosperous facility, these ladies created the Friends of the Fallbrook Library in 1963. Decades later, this nonprofit supports Fallbrook Public Library by enriching opportunities for both children and adults.

In 1970, according to the US Census, Fallbrook’s population climbed to 6,945. With this growth came more nonprofit organizations.

In the early 1970s, the Children’s Home Society was formed to raise money for a San Diego adoption agency. However, the Friendly Village populace had its own “wish list” of needs. In 1978, a unanimous vote occurred within the Children’s Home Society in Fallbrook: money raised in Fallbrook would stay in Fallbrook. With this shift in perspective, the Angel Society was born. Today, this charity runs a popular thrift shop on Main Street and distributes thousands of dollars per year back into the community.

Our historical Live Oak Park Road with its Rip Van Winkle charm was threatened in 1972. Jackie Heyneman and other neighbors living in the area noticed red marks on 22 oak trees lining the road and discovered the trees were destined for removal by the Traffic and Circulation Department of San Diego County. Alarmed, the group formed Save Our Oaks in an attempt to rescue the trees and circumvent a suggested four-lane road. Save Our Oaks won the battle.

Exactly 20 years later, speeding cars were colliding into these trees, causing 19 more trees on Live Oak Park Road to be marked for removal. Another tremendous campaign was formed, and again, Save Our Oaks prevailed at the Traffic Advisory Council meeting. Speed limit signs were posted, less than two trees were cut and reflectors were installed on trees.

Save Our Oaks evolved into Save Our Forest in 1992, a nonprofit under the corporate umbrella of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy. Championed by Heyneman and Roger Boddaert, Save Our Forest has planted 6,500 native plants and trees in Fallbrook.

With such brilliant history in Fallbrook’s past, George Kelsey founded a nonprofit called the Fallbrook Historical Society in 1975. Chartered in 1976, this nonprofit continues to preserve important historical information, special artifacts and excellent documentation of Fallbrook’s history.

While lovely artistic creations were put on exhibit in town, musical art also flourished. In 1978 a group of musicians formed the Fallbrook Music Society, which now makes available to the community a variety of quality concerts.

In 1979, Dr. Harold Neufeld founded the Fallbrook Hospital Foundation. During this time, the not-for-profit Fallbrook Hospital was in need of up-to-date medical equipment. In 20 years, the Fallbrook Hospital Foundation raised nearly $2 million for medical equipment.

When the hospital became affiliated with Community Health Systems, Fallbrook Hospital became a for-profit business. Reinventing itself, the Fallbrook Hospital Foundation switched to the Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation in 1998 to care for its community members. Recently, this nonprofit recognized the needs of its seniors and has recreated its mission and name: Foundation for Senior Care.

1980s and 1990s in Fallbrook: Revitalization and unity take major roles in Fallbrook’s community

In the 1980s and 1990s there was an enormous expansion of nonprofit organizations in Fallbrook. These groups continued to shape our town, provide care and resources for our residents, preserve our open space and revitalize downtown Fallbrook.

By 1980, the Fallbrook population had risen to 14,041. Recognizing the community was in need of caregivers, Dr. Mary Breen and Mrs. Marjorie Markham spearheaded Fallbrook People to People Services in 1981. Today, this nonprofit organization not only refers caregivers to community members but remains an outstanding free employment referral service.

As our rural community continued to grow, talks of placing a solid waste landfill project near the San Luis Rey River loomed. RiverWatch, a nonprofit group formed in 1985, prepared themselves for battle. One of the other primary issues was that the landfill would be located next to the Pala Sacred Mountain.

The determined force behind the RiverWatch fight included Joyce Ward, Sheila Manning, Ruth Harber, John Ljubenkov, Carol Whitmore and Jenny Bernardi. The landfill idea continues through the court system and RiverWatch remains one of Fallbrook’s constant environmental watchdogs.

In 1988, when efforts to incorporate Fallbrook into a city failed, the Revitalization Council was formed. Officials with the County of San Diego encouraged the council to initiate a more formal connection with them and provide input for future planning. In 1991, the County presented an extensive economic study and strategic plan back to the Revitalization Council.

Carrying out the report’s recommendations, a nonprofit called the Fallbrook Village Association was formed in 1993. Its mission was to increase the viability of Fallbrook’s economic, civic and artistic revitalization while promoting the Fallbrook Village identity.

Since its inception, the Fallbrook Village Association has built the Village Square, the Fallbrook Center for the Arts, Beech Street Park, Pico Promenade and Pico Paths and has acquired zoning changes necessary for Fallbrook’s Town Center.

Being that upscale tourism in Fallbrook Town Center was part of the economic study, this nonprofit continues with the following projects: Pico Promenade improvements, historic downtown revitalization, the addition of parking areas and running a visitor center with restroom facilities and gateways.

Protecting and securing open space in Fallbrook was the goal behind the formation of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy in 1988. Wallace and Karen Tucker, former residents of Lincoln, MA, brought to Fallbrook the information that their previous hometown had safeguarded more than 20 percent of its open space. This bit of inspiration was all it took to galvanize the Fallbrook Land Conservancy into action.

Co-founded by the Tuckers and Vince and Joy Ross, the Fallbrook Land Conservancy now owns 1,840 acres in the community. Its nine nature preserves include the well-known Los Jilgueros and Monserate Mountain. Its trails, overseen by a subcommittee known as the Trails Council, are traveled by hikers and horseback riders. The trails along the Santa Margarita River are also maintained by the Conservancy, as is the historic Palomares House and its nearby park, which includes a wildlife sculpture garden and arboretum.

These investments reflect the Conservancy’s ongoing mission: “To preserve and enhance the rural lifestyle and natural beauty of our area through the permanent protection of open space and related activities.”

In 1990, the population in Fallbrook swelled to 37, 334. With these numbers, new nonprofit organizations formed in order to continue providing for the myriad needs in the community.

Since the County of San Diego was in a budget crunch in the early ’90s, one of its plans was to abandon the care of historical Live Oak Park. Concerned citizens arranged a meeting with the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department to discuss a way to maintain the park once they released it.

In agreement, a governing body in Fallbrook was made to work in partnership with the County. Residents Jackie Heyneman, Wil Gower, Wallace Tucker and Roger Boddaert founded the Live Oak Park Coalition in 1993. This coalition was responsible for generating park income, and since its inception, has been self-supporting.

Park improvements have included playground equipment, construction of the meeting room and park ranger office, building foot bridges, erecting a wedding pavilion and more.

An effort to help the needy also began in the 1990s. The Fallbrook Mission Project was founded to provide food and other necessities for the needy in 1991. Although its name changed to Fallbrook Community Project then, in 2005, to the Fallbrook Food Pantry, its mission to help the disadvantaged remains unwavering.

Understanding that not every family could afford tutoring for their children, in 1994 Jerry Donahue founded Mentoring Associates, a nonprofit organization that offers low-cost and no-cost after-school tutoring to Fallbrook students.

In 1995, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department added a Senior Volunteer Patrol program to Fallbrook. An unincorporated town required more “official” visibility as the population increased.

Over the years, these valuable volunteers have done a tremendous job patrolling the streets, helping with special events and running the YANA (You Are Not Alone) program for seniors who live alone. When the Sheriff’s new Fallbrook Substation was erected in 2001 on Alvarado Street, the volunteers had official space inside the facility to call home.

2000 and Beyond in Fallbrook: Constant community growth demands new voices and fresh ideas

In 2000, the formation of new nonprofit organizations lessened. However, the existing ones flourished, gained greater voice and strengthened their influence with the County of San Diego.

The US Census of 2000 confirmed that Fallbrook’s population had climbed to 43,952. In that year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Shop was established. Championed by Mike Mahoney and sponsored by St. Peter’s Catholic Church, this thrift shop raises funds to help those experiencing financial hardships. Monies earned are regularly put back into the community.

Looking ahead, the San Diego Association of Governments has forecast that the Fallbrook population will reach 47,169 by 2010 and peak at 65,000 by 2020.

A growing community like this underscores the importance of our vital nonprofit organizations. As they continue to strive to meet the growing needs of the town, they will unquestionably need more dedicated volunteers, new voices and fresh ideas.

So, there is still opportunity for new ‘Faces of Fallbrook’ to make their mark and be recognized for their vital contributions to making Fallbrook a wonderful place to live.

Special thanks to Margaret Ray, Jackie Heyneman, Vince Ross, Wallace Tucker, Sheila Manning, Fallbrook Historical Society, Fallbrook Hospital, Fallbrook Library, SANDAG and UCSD Social Sciences Library for their assistance with this story.

Greater Fallbrook Area Sourcebook
Volume 8 - 2009