I came to Lakeside in 1929 with my parents; one of the first places to visit was the local grocery store on Maine and Sycamore Streets which was owned by Herbert "Otto" Marcks.  My father, E. H. Carender, had accepted the position of Superintendent of Lakeside School District, which he held for 16 years. Otto was Clerk of the School Board for more than 25 years and they became close friends over the years.  Otto was a very intelligent person interested in the betterment of Lakeside.  He was a common sight around town always accompanied by his corn cob pipe.
There were many impromptu conferences held at the store regarding politics, World news, and the Bible, of which his knowledge was accurate and undisputable.  He liked to argue and prove a point, and often met with ministers when they came to Lakeside.  He was not affiliated with any organized church.
  BACK TO THE BEGINNING -- Otto was born in Mills County, Iowa, in 1876 of German ancestry.  He was 9 years old when his family settled on Eagle Peak near Julian and established their successful Bee Keeping business.  He received his early education in the mountain schools.
  In 1908, Mrs. Ottilie Moscheau came from Germany with her two daughters to visit her sister, Fanny, and family at Cajon Pass.  While there, she made contact with a realtor and bought a store in Lakeside.  It was through this venture she came in contact with Otto Marcks who worked in the store.  In 1910, she and Otto were married, and a year later, on May 6, 1911, their son Herbert Otto Marcks was born.  Their grocery store was on the corner of Sycamore and River Streets.  The business expanded and was sold to J. B. Rumsey.  Otto continued to work for him, finally buying him out in about 1921.  At that time the business was moved to Main and Sycamore.
  On January 30, 1938, all Lakeside and surrounding countryside were shocked to learn of the sudden death of H. Otto Marcks who had passed away in his sleep.  The quiet simplicity and fortitude of his character were a very real part of our community.  There was scarcely anyone who had not in some way been touched with a lasting

impression of his loveable personality, strength of character, and the unique philosophy that he exemplified.  Generous to a faith, the needy of his community were always able to obtain groceries in his store.  No one will ever know how  many families he fed during the depression years.  As a fitting tribute, the Otto Marcks Monument was built on the site of the Lakeside Grammar School.
  MEMORIAL UNVEILED on April 14, 1938, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sable Post, at a Flag Ceremony with the Lakeside School Band and students participating. Francis DeWeese delivered the opening address.  Members of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce and the community also paid tribute to a man much loved.  Driving west on Woodside past the Lakeside Grammar School, (now the Lakeside Middle School) you can see the Monument with the Flag still waving as a reminder of a pioneer who sacrificed so much of his time and gave unselfishly so much of his life to Lakeside.

  Each generation is the caretaker of its family documents.  We all have family papers of some sort, sometimes referred to as "old junk."  They may include letter, diaries, books, business and financial accounts, inventories, genealogies, school records, church records, scrap books and clippings.
  Successfully, family history is a combination of cherished traditional stories and written documents handed down through the generations. Family histories can be the most enjoyable of the duties of the archivist.  In our collection of family biographies there are many early Lakeside pioneers who are not listed.  However, our Archives continue to expand.  One such addition was recently received from Geraldine Marcks Showalter of Ramona..  We thank her for the great photos of her grandfather, Hugo "Otto" Marcks and his family.

IS YOUR FAMILY CHRONICLED IN THE ARCHIVES AT OUR HISTORICAL CENTER?