First Christian Church - Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

Built by the Methodists in 1887 after their original building was lost to a windstorm, this brick structure is the oldest church in Lake Elsinore (originally Elsinore).  It was sold to the First Christian congregation in 1923 and has been continuously occupied since then as the First Christian Church.  Prominent features are stained glass windows and the nearly 50-foot tall steeple housing an antique bell.

In February 2013 the Valley of the Mist Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century placed a commemorative plaque in recognition of the building's historical significance.

A photograph at the Lake Elsinore Museum of the Methodist's 1887 dedication ceremony includes a figure believed to be Wyatt Earp - a tall mustached man in a white shirt standing at the top of the steps in front of the door.

Wyatt Earp Believed to be in 1887 Church Photo

Located at 503 West Heald Avenue at the northeast corner of Heald Avenue and Poe Street.

The Champion Building - Temecula, CA, USA

This Mission Revival style building was built in 1928 by Allen Champion.  It is constructed of clay bricks from the area of Alberhill, near Elsinore.  The building has housed a variety of businesses and was the home of The Rite Spot Cafe for many years.  From 1974 until 1980 it was the location of the Temecula Post Office.  The building underwent remodeling in 1980.

"The Champion Building
Built in 1928 By Allen Champion

Businesses located here, at various times, included a barber shop, Daley's Variety Store, restaurants including 'The Rite Spot Cafe,' a bank, and for many years, The Temecula Post Office.  Building since remodeled.

Temecula Valley Historical Society
Plaque 11
Installed 2004"

Located in Old Town Temecula at 28636 Front Street.

Santa Fe Depot - Hemet, CA, USA

This depot, built by the Santa Fe Railroad, once served a Santa Fe spur line that ran from San Bernardino through Perris, then on through Hemet, ending in San Jacinto.  It handled both passengers and freight.  The two-story section was the passenger depot and its construction was completed in 1914, replacing two earlier depots.  The long adjoining section was the freight depot. It was part of the second depot, built in 1898, and was moved to this location.  It is one of the oldest structures in Hemet's downtown area.   Restored by a local group, Save Our Station, the freight depot is now the home of the Hemet Museum.  A coffee and bagel shop occupies the end of the building nearest Florida Avenue.

Located at the intersection of Florida Avenue and State Street.  Entrance and parking lot along State Street.

Maze Stone Park - Hemet, CA, USA

California State Registered Landmark No. 557

"Maze Stone
This pictograph, representing a maze, is an outstanding example of the work of prehistoric peoples. It, with 5.75 acres of land, was donated to Riverside County as a county park on April 16, 1956 by Mr. and Mrs. Rodger E. Miller.
Registered Landmark No. 557
Plaque Placed By California State Park Commission In Cooperation With Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Hemet Woman's Club, February 9, 1957."

Look for a sign pointing the way to the State Historical Marker along State Highway 74 west of Hemet, and drive north on California Avenue.  Follow California Avenue for a little over 3 miles until it ends at a gate.  Park here - no vehicles are allowed beyond this point.  Be cautious of the soft sand on either side of the pavement.

It is a short uphill hike along the old pavement to the Maze Stone.  Carry water with you and be on the lookout for rattlesnakes.

The Maze Stone and Monument are located on the right.  Sadly it has been necessary to enclose them both within two separate barbed-wire-topped chainlink fences to deter vandalism.

In the lower left corner square of the Maze a swastika was carved sometime after the 1930s, an act of vandalism.

I first visited Maze Stone Park in the late 1970s and at that time there was only one chainlink fence  These photos were taken in November of 2006.  It was a hot dry day and I regretted carrying only one bottle of water along on the hike.

Located near the north end of California Avenue, west of Hemet.

Huell Howser Visits Old Town Temecula - Temecula, CA, USA

Burnham House - Temecula, CA, USA

This private residence was the home of the George A. Burnham family, owners of the Burnham Store/Temecula Mercantile which was located a couple blocks to the east.  This structure began as the Wildomar Hotel which was built in the 1880s.  George Burnham had it moved to this location in the 1890s, modifying it into a home for his family.

Located at 28653 Pujol Street.

Friedemann Meat Market - Temecula, CA, USA

Built about 1905 this building was purchased by the Friedemann family about 1910.  From 1916 until sometime in the 1940s it housed the Friedemann Meat Market.  The Friedemanns also owned the slaughterhouse which was at the south end of the town.
In recent years this was the location of a romantic French decor business called Madison Manor.  According to their website they have closed at this location since these photo were taken in July of 2011.

Located at 42050 Main Street in Old Town.

Burnham Store/Temecula Mercantile - Temecula, CA, USA

Built in 1891.  George A. Burnham purchased the general store about 1902 from original owner Philip Pohlman.  Burnham family members continued to operate the store until 1953.  The fired brick building has housed several businesses since then, including The Temecula Mercantile which opened in 1969.  In the 1990s the City of Temecula purchased the building, retrofitting it to meet earthquake standards.  Since 2005 it has served as the entrance and ticket office for the Old Temecula Community Theater as well as an art gallery.

Located on First Street, west of Main Street.

Old Jail - Temecula, CA, USA

The small two-story building referred to as the Old Temecula Jail was never actually intended or used for that purpose.  The walls are constructed of one-foot thick scrap granite from the quarries that were once active in the area.  It is believed to have been built by the Weltys and used as a storehouse for their neighboring store and hotel in the Welty Building.  A water tank sat on the top of the structure providing water pressure for the hotel.  Later, when Joe Winkels' saloon occupied the Welty Building, the granite building was probably used as a wine cellar.  It is thought to have been used occasionally as a temporary holding cell for drunken patrons, hence the reference to a jail.

Located just west of Front Street, and south of Main Street in the courtyard behind the Welty Building.  Access from Main Street and from the public parking lot one block south.

Welty Building - Temecula, CA, USA

Built in the 1890s by R.J. Welty and his wife, Mary, the building originally housed a store on the ground floor and rooms for rent on the second floor. 
It was purchased by Joe Winkels in 1902 and operated as a hotel, The Ramona Inn.  A barber shop and saloon replaced the store area and alcohol was illegally sold there during the prohibition era.  Gaming was offered in the form of pool tables, card games and slot machines.  Boxers Jack Dempsey, Jim Jeffries and Jack Sharkey were among those who trained at an upstairs boxing arena.  Buster Keaton, Fatty Arbuckle and other celebrities from Hollywood were known to visit The Ramona Inn.

On Christmas Eve 1907 Temecula's constable, Preston Van Swanguen, and a local businessman, Louis Escallier, were shot to death by Horace Magee while attempting to quell a barroom fight.

In later years the saloon was named The Stallion, and then The Stables.  A sandwich shop, The Corner, was located in the building in the 1970s.
The Welty Building was among the buildings in the historic district that were damaged in 1993 by a 3-foot-high wall of mud that resulted from the flooding of nearby Murrieta Creek.  It remained empty for years afterward.
The Temecula Olive Oil Company, a food and gift shop featuring a tasting bar, has occupied the ground floor since 2002.

Located in the historict district of Old Town Temecula on the southwest corner of Front Street and Main Street.

Main Street Bridge - Temecula, CA, USA

The Main Street Bridge over Murrieta Creek in Old Town Temecula was built in 1945.  The concrete and wooden slab-type bridge was typical for that era and remains relatively sturdy.  It is scheduled to be replaced sometime late in 2011 with a steel-truss-type bridge that will not require support columns in the creek.  The present bridge has an extremely narrow pedestian sidewalk.  The new bridge will have a wider sidewalk with a barrier separating it from traffic.

Located on Main Street between Pujol Street and Front Street.  Caltrans Bridge Number 56C0227.

United Methodist Church - Winchester, CA, USA

Organized in 1886 as the Methodist Episcopal Church, the building was completed in 1887.  It is still active today.

Located at 33005 Taylor Street.