ATTRACTIONS

USO Community Center 1941

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For those who were not part of the baby boomers era, during WWII, many communities near Army Airfields would be granted funds from the federal government to build local USO building to support their troops. So Imogene Garner Hook started of a drive to raise local funds for their own USO building in Victorville. After President Franklin Delano Roosevelt approved $45,000 worth of funds and a granted many workers from the local Victorville Army Flying Field work began in 1941. After the war, it was later bought by the Park and Recreation District for local use.

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Indian Marie Chapuli 1856-1960

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From the first gate, go counter clockwise past the war memorial and look for the stairs, she is just to the left of them on the other side of the brick wall. Pay your respects.

She was known as "Indian Marie", who lived in Victorville on 10th Street between "C" & "D" where she establishing squatter's rights and lived in shack that had been used for centuries by her ancestors as a camp ground. She was from the Paiutes tribe of Nevada and Utah. She was born in the mountains of Big Bear Lake. She arrived in Victor Valley around 1890s. She made handmade baskets of reeds from the Mojave River. She died July 13, 1960 at the approximate age of 104.

She is still a local treasure.

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Victor Valley Memorial Park 1917

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Victor Valley Memorial is one of the first cemeteries in the Victory Valley in 1916 and use to be located by the Senior Citizen's Center on Mojave & Victor Street. It had to be moved since it was out growing its former site and moved to the old gravel pit site at 11th & "C" Streets. All the graves were moved to its new site. I just hope they didn't make some of them restless by doing so.

There is a really neat boulder in front that shares the history of the park and was a project of Adam Snedegal, Boy Scout Troop #256

This site was part of the Verde Ranch and was used in the 1850's by Mormon cattlemen. The turn of the century it was the bus site and eventually became the rock quarry mine. Prehistorically the Native Americans use to camp here due to evidence of grinding holes were found here. It goes on to tell when the cemetery was relocated also. (The white lettering makes it hard to read, maybe to fading from the sun. Still a wonderful project.

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Joan of Arch Catholic Church 1922

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St. Joan of Arc Church, Victorville, was founded as a mission of Barstow in 1922. In 1927 the parish received its first pastor, Fr. Beary. Thirteen pastors and many other priests have since served the congregation.

I was drawn to its lovely architecture and have found places like these are the pillars of their communities.

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Old Victor School 1922~

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This lovely building was built in 1922 and was used as a elementary school. The school was closed in 1960. It school district was going to let this structure go until the historical societies saved it and had it restored in 1985. It still serves it community.

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1907 Jail~

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Originally built on E Street, this was "opened for business" in 1907 by Constable Ed Dolch. It had no heat or running water so being put in this hoosegow was real punishment. Yet, if that didn't make anyone staying on the straight and narrow, then you might be sent to work draining the swamps.

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The Turner House 1880

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This is not on the walking tour, but it had the signature sign of being a historical point of interest of Victorville. About the only information I have found it was built by pioneer John Turner in 1880 and has been totally restored by a local dentist for their business.

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California Route 66 Museum~

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Sadly the museum was closed the day I visited, but it didn't deter me from exploring. Route 66 Museum offers visitors a look into the past of the days when this highway passed right through what was the main street of many communities. Now days, Interstates pass right over these wonderful hidden gems. It has a large collection of historic photographs when the highway was in its hey day. Along with the historic exhibitions, they have contemporary gallery, research library, travel information, and a neat gift shop. So if your ever passing through, please stop and take in the sights.

When I explored I used the Victor Valley Walking Tour that I found on the web. Thank you Victorville for sharing this information.

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First National Bank 1917

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Built in 1918, this bank had an electric vault and a manganese safe. It had 186 depositors from a population during its time of 750. Elton Goble worked as the cashier from 1917-22 and was co founder and first president of the Victor Valley Board of Realtors. Business was good up to 1931.

What remains now is only the shell of the buildings. I don't know if it had a fire or maybe it was gutted to be refurbished.

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Victorville Hardware Store 1923

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Judge Arch Farrington the local justice at the time, opened it in 1923 as a hardware store. It has since been owned many times by others, but now it sits empty.

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Barrel House 1914

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This has been a Liquor store since 1933, it was built in 1914 and was originally a restaurant and jewelry store and it sits next to the California Route 66 Museum.