A few months ago the board of directors formed a Historic Preservation Committee. This committee came about because of the destruction of many of our historic old buildings.
  The last one bulldozed down was the Birchard cottage on River Street to make way for a large metal building. This cottage was on our Historic Survey and is within our designated Historic District. A local developer who has built many concrete buildings on Maine Avenue assisted the new property owner.
  The purpose of the new Preservation Committee is to educate and inform the community, property owners, developers and realtors about our preservation efforts in Lakeside. We need to let them know that we care
about these unique old buildings and that we will work to save them from demolition.
  These preservation efforts include gathering signatures on petitions, letter writing campaigns, attending Planning Group Meetings, County Planning Commission meetings, Historic Site Board meetings, speaking to the Board of
Supervisors, and whatever else needs to be done to save these wonderful bits of history.
  If you have any suggestions or ideas about what this preservation group should do we would appreciate your input. Just call Betty McMillen at 443-1133, or Chris Herzog at 561-0372.

  Several months ago an article dealing with the name Tunnel Hill stated that [it was named so because of the deep cut in the hill to accommodate the Highway 80 roadbed].  Tunnel Hill was named for the irrigation tunnel bored through it to allow passage of the water flume from Lake Cuyamaca to El Cajon.  The tunnel was still in use well into the 1930s.  During that period, my father would drive me from our Lakeside Heights citrus grove to the mouth of the tunnel west of Glenview.  Water was drawn from the aqueduct at that point and diverted to a large pipeline supplying water to four Lakeside lemon groves.  My job was to walk that pipeline every two or three weeks inspecting it for leaks.  I frequently visited the cool tunnel entrance on hot summer days before starting the trip on foot over the hills to Lakeside.
  The second correction is the name of the Fire Chief who owned the service station at Maine and Mapleview. Ed Harrison was Fire Chief and owned the station and small house next to it. Louis (Parkie) Parquette and myself were his Assistant Chiefs. I remember once in the late 1940s the Lakeside Volunteer Fire District's Board of Directors voted to pay 50 cents a call to each responding volunteer. This was to cover for the cost of replacing
damaged clothes.
  My wife and I really enjoy reliving our Lakeside past through the pages of your publication. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

(Walkabout continued from page 1)

  I took Kathy for a walkabout to see the restoration of our Historic District.  We walked past the historic mural being painted on the old Cecil's Restaurant by artist David Ybarra.  Then, on to the community center to view the mural depicting all the Historical Society past Presidents, on to see the big ovens at the Mi Cabana (formerly a bakery), and an inside tour of the Golden Goose Coffee House antiques.  A peek at the Manhattan Playhouse, (formerly our Old Town Hall), J.C. Feed store, Harlow House Gift shop, Tom La Madrid house (former black smithy), which is in the process of being revitalized, a look at the Rodeo Restaurant/Sunlight Press (which used to be Kibby's Lumber Yard), on past the old Train Depot and Birchard's Candy store.  Kathy was upset that the Birchard's house had been torn down, even though it was on the Historic Survey.  We walked along River Street and saw the wonderful job some property owners have done to restore their old cottages, then to the Chamber of Commerce building with it's new, old fashioned front porch, and then, of course, our wonderful Olde Community Church.
  After the walkabout we headed across the street to the Branded Oak Restaurant. It was like old home week . . . lots of locals having lunch.  Who should be sitting there but Leonard Philbrook, down here from Descanso. After he finished his lunch he took out his trusty harmonica and played a few old fashioned tunes, to the delight of the other diners -- we all gave him a big round of applause.  It was a great way to end the historic tour of Lakeside!

  Are you are a crafter or vendor, or do you know someone who might be interested in being in our annual craft show? Now here is your chance to join in the fun. On Saturday, April 20 the Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring their annual Lakeside Western Days Parade -- it is always a big event in our town.
  The Historical Society always joins in the fun by hosting our annual Country Breakfast with a craft show on the patio. This is always a popular event. We serve breakfast beginning at 7:00 until 10:30 AM.  The parade begins at 10:00 AM. The crafters and vendors have a built in audience from all the folks who come to view the parade. The cost is only $10.00 per space. If you would like to be involved in this show or just need information, please call Betty McMillen at 443-1133, or leave a message at the Historical Society -- 561-1886.