Being the town blacksmith was probably as much of importance as was being a judge, sheriff, lawyer or simply a big strong man delicately removing a sticker from the tiny foot of a small child. They could be teachers for those who wanted to learn the trade. They could be leather craftsmen, veterinarians, well versed in animal husbandry, strong man, and the town central for political wisdom and agenda's.
  I'm not sure where the Lakeside blacksmith Tom La Madrid stood on his political agenda but I'm sure he repaired many a bicycle in his time and worked on a few horses to repair hoof's and saddles, including wagons and their wheels. Tom was well known in town and was admired for his strength and love of the township and the people in it.
  One day he was approached by Gordon Simmons and a couple of the town regulars and asked Tom about his Blacksmith abilities. They heard that he could take a horse shoe and "tweak" it out of shape with his bare hands. Tom commenced to demonstrate exactly that, and with his hands he grabbed a shoe laying on the anvil and slowly bent it out of shape. He explained to them "that was the easy part, the hard part is moving it back in the shape it was," and with his huge muscle filled hands bent it right back to its original shape. Tom had very few problems with the town tough's in them days!

  As Vice President, I am working on getting a guest speaker from the Carrizo Gorge Railway Inc. This Lakeside company has restored the railroad tracks and tunnels to Imperial County, and now operates a successful business hauling equipment to and from San Diego County.  These are busy guys so if it doesn't work out for me to get them then I will have someone come to talk about other historical happenings.

  The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 2 at the Lakeside Historical Society court yard beginning at 6: 00 PM. (corner of Maine Avenue and Parkside).
  Everyone is invited to attend and bring your friends to enjoy the festivities.  Besides the Christmas Tree Lighting there will be music and singing and the businesses on Maine Avenue will be lit up so everyone can stroll along and enjoy their decorations The Lakeside Museum will be open and decorated for your viewing pleasure too.
  Several restaurants will be open for your dining experience or you can enjoy food and drinks that will be served by the Historical Society.  Kick off your Holiday season by joining in the fun on December 2.

Tom LaMadrid's working in his Blacksmith's Shop on Laurel Street in the 1950s. "I knew Tom La Madrid rather well as my blacksmith and as a friend.  He worked on many of the old Butterfield Stage Coaches to restore them to perfection and had them in many parades, including the Historical Days parades in San Diego.  He also restored the old covered wagons, for the same purpose, and did beautiful wrought iron work for many people who wanted it for decoration or purposeful gateways, etc.  Tom and his wife lived on the corner behind the Lakeside Hotel (old Lindo Hotel). Tom had a son by the name of Fred, who is now also deceased.  Tom was a hard constant worker who couldn't stand laziness and would easily say so!"  -- Sr. Anna Mary Meyer

The Historical Society members, family and friends are invited to join in our annual Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 14 beginning at 6pm.  Mark you calendars now and plan to join us for a delicious dinner.  Details of the event will be in the December issue of Historical Happenings.