Top 10 Interesting Historical Facts about Temecula, CA
While Temecula Valley did not officially become incorporated until 1989, the history of this area goes back much further than that. it has come a long way from the origin of southern california wine country to a past littered with conflicts, stagecoach robberies, and cowboys. Here are our ten favorite historical facts about Temecula, California.
1. Unique Name
It gets its name from the Luiseño or Payómkawichum word Teméeku (The-MEH-too), meaning “sun place.” If you’ve ever been to this area of California, the name won’t surprise you. Interestingly enough, the name of this area originates in a Luiseño story detailing the origins of the world. In this story, the world’s origin is a place called “Éxva Teméeku,” a place where the sun and the sand meet. Some claim this town is the only place in California to keep its Indigenous name. However, this is somewhat debated.
2. A Great Place to Live
Ancestors of the Luiseño have been living in the valley as far back as 900 CE. Thanks to the rich farmland, farmers market and fantastic weather, humans have found this area a great place to live for centuries. The Temecula Creek Inn, located near Temecula Creek in what is now San Diego County, provides a luxurious escape while still honoring the history of the land.
While “Luiseño” is a common name for the tribes who lived in this area and shared a language, several groups of Native Americans made the valley their home. Luiseño had lived in this town for over800 years before Father Juan Norberto de Santiago first arrived to set up a Mission in 1797. While Santiago eventually returned to Mexico, his records in this area still survive.
3. Lost History
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 caused a fire that destroyed many of the records we had of early Temecula. As a result, the area’s history surrounding the early 1800s is scarce or completely gone due to this fire. While this earthquake was not centered in the place, it did leave over 400,000 people homeless and led to the destruction of many historical documents.
4. Desperados and Stagecoach Robberies
Who doesn’t love a good western drama? Early in history, it was plagued by desperados and robberies. Juan Flores was a gang member responsible for the murder of a San Juan Capistrano shopkeeper. This led to the greatest manhunt in California and Flores’ eventual capture. Thankfully, the days of stagecoach robberies and roaming outlaws are far in the past, as the town has moved well into the modern age. However, there is still an air of that Old West romanticism in the area, shown in some historic architecture.
5. Nothing Stops the Temecula Mail
It was home to the second post office in all of California. This post office was opened in 1859 and connected to the rest of the world via the mail, which came in on stagecoach and eventually trained. While the post office is a historic milestone, its location is far from set in stone. Some estimate the city moved up the post office 7 or 8 times in its lifetime.
6. Big Ranch, Big Dreams
In 1905, Walter L. Vail began buying property in the valley region. Vail was a cattle rancher, and while he had cattle ranching operations elsewhere, he was looking to expand his empire. While Walter L. Vail died the year after beginning to buy property, his son continued his legacy. Interestingly enough, his ranch grew to cover 97,500 acres after Kaiser Development Company purchased it in 1964, double the size of San Franciso (the city and the riverside county).
7. That Temecula Fighting Spirit
People in this town saw its share of conflict over the years, from early participation in the Mexican-American wars to its history with highway robbery and murderers. However, there’s one fighting aspect that’s far tamer. Prizefighters Jack Dempsey and Jack Sharkey both trained in the area, setting up a boxing ring over the Blind Pig Saloon. While this was back in the 1920s, you can see one of their fights here. While the fight didn’t happen in the actual town but it’s still a fascinating piece of the area’s history.
8. Town’s Cowboy Boom
The Vail Ranch wasn’t the only thing bringing cowboys in this place. The great land and even better climate made the area great for ranching, bringing cowboys to the site. Most of its money came from ranching or agriculture, meaning that cowboys and ranchers had a monopoly on the area in the 1960s. To this day, you can feel this American spirit in the area, and the dependence on agriculture carries over into their reputation as home to incredible wineries and vineyards.
9. Wine Country Begins
While it was known for its agriculture, it was in the mid-1970s that its potential began to be realized. Development in the area made people recognize that it was perfect for growing avocados and grapes. This discovery led to the creation of many vineyards synonymous with Temecula and turned into the California wine region it is today. On one of our wine-tasting tours, you can look at some of the best vineyards in Temecula.
10. The Buffman Project
We’ve last saved one of the more interesting historical facts In 1993, Zev Buffman had an idea to try and revitalize Temecula’s Old Town. The district was less than lively, known for closing early and attracting few visitors. Buffman had an idea to embrace the Old West style infused throughout and turn it into a venue that would bring jobs and tourism to the area. While Buffman eventually paired with Roy Roger’s son for this endeavor, the project never got off the ground. Concerns about noise levels and crime caused the project to falter and several lawsuits. While Buffman tried to move this project to another location, it never got off the ground, leaving the area undeveloped.
Check out our tours if you’re interested in learning more. Our wine tour takes you through some of the oldest vineyards in the area and lets you get a real feel for its agricultural history. If you’re interested in exploring the nearby areas, we offer tours all around Southern California. Here at Best Coast Tours, we work hard to merge the best parts of history with the excitement of today to bring you fascinating and exciting tours across Southern California. So be sure to book a trip with us today!
FAQS
What is Temecula famous for producing?
Temecula is famous for producing award-winning wines in its picturesque Temecula Valley wine region. It is known as Southern California’s wine country.
What Native American tribe is from Temecula?
The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians are the indigenous people of Temecula.
Which California cities are the most popular?
Los Angeles (3,820,914), San Diego (1,388,320), San Jose (969,655), San Francisco (808,988), and Fresno (545,716).