Old Town Temecula - Temecula/Murrieta Valley Internet Directory, Temecula Tourist Guide and Temecula Internet Online Shopping Mall

100 years ago Shoshone Indians made this valley their home. Over the centuries many famous people "passed this way" including mountain men like Jedediah Smith, Indian scout Kit Carson and authors Helen Hunt Jackson and Erle Stanley Gardner. Temecula was a stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage Line, and in 1859 the seventh Post Office in California. In 1904, Walter Vail bought 87,500 acres (four Spanish land grants) and drove 1,000 head of cattle from Arizona. It was the last large cattle drive in the United States. It remained a working cattle ranch for the next 60 years. in 1882, when the Santa Fe Railway came through our valley, Old Town Temecula was born. THOSE WERE THE GOOD ALL DAYS!
WELTY BUILDING	Mr. & Mrs. R.J. Welty built this store/saloon about the same time as the hotel. In 1902 Joe Winkles bought it and named it "Ramona Inn". In the 1920's a "Blind Pig Saloon" with gymnasium hosted prize fighters Jefferies, Sharkey and Dempsey for workouts. Today an antique store and deli occupy the building.
WINE CELLAR TEMECULA JAIL	Originally built as a wine cellar with rubble granite from the Temecula Quarry, later known as the "jail" when used by the sheriff to hold lawbreakers. Fine quality Temecula granite was used for headstone, hitching posts and curbstones on San Francisco's Market Street.
WELTY HOTEL/TEMECULA HOTEL	Built in 1882 by R.J. and Mary Welty, the year the railroad came to Temecula, It burned down in 1981 and was rebuilt in the same year. Bought by Dr. and Mrs. Horace Parker in 1960, renamed "Temecula Hotel" and restored to its turn-of-the-century decor. It is now a private residence
TEMECULA MERCANTILE	Built in 1891 from local bricks, Mr. Burnham ran this complete "shop center" for ranchers for 60 years. A terminal for jerkline freighters who delivered supplies to isolated ranches. See granite hitching posts and steps. Now an antique mall.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK of TEMECULA	Built in 1914, it was the first poured cement building constructed in Inland California. Mr. Vail called it his "pawn shop". Robbed only once in 1930. Upstairs featured a community center and dance hall. Closed in 1914, now a Mexican restaurant.
ST. CATHERINE"S CATHOLIC CHURCH	Built in the early 1920's with construction fund raised by a big fiesta thrown by Mahlon Vail, the building was moved from its original location to Sam Hicks park where it will serve as part of our new museum facility.
MACHADO'S STORE	Built in 1892 by Macedonia Machado, this general merchandise store later became the Temecula station post office with Mr. Machado serving as post master. For a long time it was the "Long Branch Saloon" and is now and antique mall.
OLD TOWN OFFICIAL GREETERS	Well that's only some of the many things you can see when you come and visit our beautiful town. If you would like a walking group tour, special appearances, grand openings & festivals. You also can order the "Old Town Temecula Walking Tour" video to learn more about us. We can be reach at (909) 676-4614. See you then Bob & Bea Taylor.