Winter 2017

Historical Happenings

Vol. X December 2017

THE BREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

For me it is difficult to think that 2017 is nearly

over. I suppose that because we were all so busy

with the yearly activities and the business of the

Historical Society and Museum, and then add Board of Directors
on all the 2017 Centennial planning and bring-

ing those events to fruition, then I understand JOHN BICKEL, PRESIDENT
• TIM HARVEY, VICE PRESIDENT
CAROLE WILSON, TREASURER
better how 2017 seemed to fly by. So now we ready ourselves for 2018 and beyond. DALE WORRELL, SECRETARY
It didn’t seem like there were enough hours in the week to accomplish everything • BARBARA VEGA, BOARD MEMBER
we did. But we are a determined group of volunteers and we must keep moving for- •
• LINDA SHAY, CURATOR
ward with our efforts to keep the history of our great city continuing to expand. LAURA PIERCE CITY LIAISON
•

I want to thank our 2017 Board members for their efforts to keep the society ad-

vancing. You have all done an extremely good job this year. And what can I say •
about our Director, Linda Shay. Actually there is a lot to say about her. Linda
works tirelessly on projects that the Board asks her to do. But she goes way beyond •

our expectations. Linda and the volunteers she collects to do the work are incredi-

ble. Continued on page 2

FROM THE ARCHIVES by Linda Shay Inside 1
this 1
This has been an incredible year for the Historical Society! issue: 2
Not only did we join in the Centennial Festivities, but we re- 3
ceived dozens of priceless artifacts through numerous acquisi- PRESIDENT’S
tions. While all the donations are extraordinary, few compare LETTER
to the donation of Manny Toledo from Brea Olinda High
School. Manny FROM THE
spent years squirreling away trophies, photos, ARCHIVES
and artifacts that would otherwise be lost. My
favorite is the 1929 championship football; spoil- HISTORICAL
er alert, it was Coach Bennett’s “C” team that SOCIETY
gave the new high school its very first champion-
ship! We are profoundly grateful to all who do- DID YOU KNOW?
nated artifacts and applaud your dedication to
historic preservation. Be sure to visit the muse- PATIO PAVERS 4
um to see many of these treasure on display.
OUR SPONSORS 5

THEN & NOW 6
BOOK

Historical Happenings

The updates to the Big Game exhibit, Brea-Olinda High School
Sports exhibit, and the historical downtown exhibit are just three of
the projects she has coordinated very successfully. Then add in all of
the special requests for historical information for the Centennial,
from the parade and picnic event, the Trolley Tours of historical sites
in Brea and many others that came to her. We cannot thank her
enough. Linda Shay is the best thing that has come to this organiza-
tion in a long long time.

The Centennial Committee and the city staff worked very hard to Oilfield National Bank Employees, 1941

make the Centennial celebration very special; many thanks to the

committee members. But I especially want to commend the city staff members who really carried the ball and

made the events fun and successful for all of us. Those folks have a full-time job and were assigned to the Cen-

tennial planning committee. I am sure they are proud of their efforts as they can now sit back and say “Thank

God is completed and very successfully too.” As a Historical Society Board Member, Centennial Committee

member, and life time resident of Brea, I thank all of you for your dedication and hard work the last 18

months. You are all amazing. See you all in 2018.

Passive Fundraising Opportunity!

Did you know you could help support the Historical Society every time
you shop on Amazon or at Ralphs? By accessing Amazon from our web-
site, we’ll earn a small commission on every purchase. Also, by signing up for Ralph’s
community partners program, a small portion of your total purchase will be donated
to the Museum. See our website for more details and thank you for your support.

Closing the Time Capsule

Are you a Centennial Club Member? Have you brought
your artifact for the time capsule to the Museum? Did you

decide what verbiage you want put on the dedication
plaque? Time is running out. The Time Capsule is going
to be closed at our Annual Meeting January 10th. Be a

part of history! Contact us with questions.
714-256-2283 or [email protected]

Page 2

Historical Happenings

Brea, Then and Now

By Tim Harvey

Don’t forget to get your copy of the book: Brea, Then and Now; A
Pictorial History of our City. Only $20.00 (Special Centennial pricing
through January 10th at our Annual Meeting). You can also download
the digital version from Kindle.
Copies are available at the Brea
Museum, the Community Development office at the Brea Civic
Center, and at Fratellino’s Italian Restaurant on Brea Blvd.

On Eagles Wings

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America scouting program. It is awarded
to a scout who has met numerous conditions including the “Eagle Project”; a project the scout must
plan, develop, and lead. The project must demonstrate both leadership and a commitment to duty.
The Brea Museum & Historical Society has been fortunate to have several of our “wish list items” ap-
proved for Eagle Scout projects. We are very grateful to these dedicated scouts!

Vishvak Sriram /Chair Trolleys

Parker Poole / Downtown Model

Kyle Petersen / Jail Wall

Camera Shy Casey Basaker Bench

Page 3

Visit the Museum to see these amazing projects for yourself.

Would you like to be part of
Brea’s history?

Celebrate Brea’s Centennial with your own

Engraved Tile

at the Brea Museum & Historical Society

Tiles on the back patio are available for $150

Purchaser’s Name:_______________________________________
Address

Phone Number Email address____________________________

INSCRIPTION (please print clearly)

ASK A HISTORIAN

Have a burning question about Brea’s past? Ever wonder what buildings were
part of the downtown BEFORE the redevelopment or BEFORE the Mall?
What about all the orange groves and oil derricks that dotted the hills early in
the 20th Century?
We are here to help with these and any other question you may have about
Brea’s history. Visit our website and tap “Ask a Historian” and we’ll start dig-
ging throDugohyothuehaavrechaiqvueetsotiognetyoyuo’ud alinkeaannsswweerre.d? Submit your question via email.

THE BREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

HELP PRESERVE BREA’S HISTORY...

In an effort to properly preserve our documents, photographs, and artifacts,
the Brea Historical Society is asking for donations of archival materials. We are
in need of Rolled Storage Boxes, Textile Boxes, Document Boxes, Photo Sleeves
as well as other materials.
A special fundraising campaign has been established exclusively for this purpose
so if you’d like to help, you can be assured your funds will go directly towards
this project. Just visit our website, tap donate, and include “archive” in the sub-
ject line. Or stop by the Museum. We’re open Thursday 2-5pm and Saturday 10-
3pm. As always, thank you for your continued support.

.

BREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

Thinking of becoming a new member? Don’t delay; membership comes with great benefits.
Already a member? Don’t forget to renew!

You can do both online at www.breamuseum.org or in person at the Museum

Annual Membership Application

Membership to the Brea Historical Society runs from July 1st thru June 30th and is pro-rated by month. Your
membership helps support the educational programs and preservation projects conducted by the museum.
Member benefits include 2 hours of historic research per year (which includes 2 high resolution digital photos
from our collection), early exhibit previews, a quarterly newsletter, and discounted rates on facilities rentals.

Please circle your membership level

Individual (24.00) Student (with ID) (12.00) Family (36.00)

Sponsor (96.00) Patron (180.00) Corporate (300.00)

Centennial Club (100.00)

Name and Mailing Address: (Please Print Clearly)

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Contact Information: (Please Print Clearly)

Ph. #:________________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________

We have several Volunteer Opportunities. Please consider donating some time to the Museum.

____ Become a Museum Docent ____ Help with Archival Work

____ Help with General Maintenance ____ Help with Catalogue and Research

____ Help with Children’s Programs ____ Help with Fundraising Activities

____ Other special talents or interests ____ Help with Marketing and Promotions

Brea Museum & Historical Society
495 S. Brea Blvd.
Brea, CA. 92821
714-256-2283

www.breamuseum.org