Pioneer Day Magazine • 2023

Turn of the Century California Bungalow! This lovely home exudes history and character, with updated sophistication surrounded by lush and vibrant landscapes on historic Vine Street. As you approach the house, you will take in the brick walkway leading to the solid mahogany front door. Upon entering this 3-bedroom 2-bathroom home you will see the rich hickory wood floors along with 6” baseboards and crown moldings. The kitchen is spacious and updated featuring beautiful custom cabinetry, granite counters with tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, kitchen island, with ample storage and counter space. The living room boasts a lovely bay window bringing in plenty of natural light.The dining room reflects modern upgrades and windows while maintaining its original charm. The bedrooms reflect comfort and refinement. Two “Primary Bedrooms” are located at either end of this home making this the perfect “Homeshare” retreat! Many upgrades over the years include fiber optic internet, dual pane windows, an additional en suite bathroom, copper plumbing, the main water, and sewer line replaced, earthquake bracing, electrical, exterior siding, attic fan, on-demand hot water in the front bath, and solar panels.The outside space is a gardener delight with raised planter beds and mature landscapes, a storage shed & cabana for your furry or feathered friends. Ideally located on the west side of Paso Robles just moments away from endless wineries, retail shops, and eateries. Inquire with the city for future expansion or development. Offered at $939,000

Diane Cassidy REALTOR® 805-434-8300

Iwould like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to this year’s Pioneer Day Parade. I am excited this event continues for it’s 93rd year and feel very privileged to be the Chairman of this organization. Our Parade would not happen without the Board and Committee Members and the many volunteers it takes to make all of these entries roll, walk, ride and march down the City streets on the 2nd Saturday of October.

Our Marshal this year is Don Campbell, and our Queen is Margaret Craspay Avila. Our Belle is Kayla Degnan, hailing from the San Miguel area. Please see their full biographies on our website at pasoroblespioneerday.org.

The day will start with the cooking of the beans, being manned by the Paso Robles Lions Club on 12th Street, next to the City Park at 7 a.m., followed by the Pet Contest and the Little Cowboy/Cowgirl Contest in the City Park Gazebo at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. sharp, take your seats and get ready to enjoy everything from our color guard marching with the Flag of the United States leading off the entries, the annual flyover by the Estrella Warbirds, followed by an awesome assortment of marching bands, antique tractors, vintage wagons being pulled by teams of horses, riding groups, school floats and that doesn’t even begin to cover the full lineup.

After the Parade, feel free to come down to the Pioneer Museum and take a stroll through the great collection of history contained in this special place. Talk with the drivers about their tractors and take a look at the display of small gas engines in Pioneer Park.

Many thanks to the City of Paso Robles, Police, Fire, and Emergency Services, along with the Streets and Parks Departments. And certainly, Freda Berman for managing all of the logistics for the days leading up to and the day of the Parade.

It truly does take a “town” to make this whole event happen, and I think this has been proven time and time again. Remember, this all started in 1931, with “Leave your Pocketbook at Home,” when the merchants and business people wanted to thank the residents from the surrounding areas for doing their business in Paso Robles.

I am grateful for our heritage in this area and will strive to help preserve it for future generations.

By Margaret Wicks, 2023 Pioneer Day Chairman

North County Honor Guard

PDC Banner — BSA Scout Troops 60 and 1602

PR Police Dept./Police Com.

Paso Robles Children's Museum W/Mayor

Paso Robles City Fire Department

CAL Fire

PDC — Marshal

PDC — Marshal Family (2 Tractors & Flatbed with Family)

PDC — Queens Carriage/Travers

PDC — Belle Convertible

PDC — Past Royalty on Hist. Soc.Trolley/Maness

PDC — Conestoga Wagon/Messenger

PDC — Firestone Wagon — Pulled by a truck

Mainstreet Association 1972 Mercedes Benz

PRHS Bearcats

PDC Tractors

Central Coast Convoy — Mule M 274

CCC — M813 Five Ton Truck

CCC — Custom Power Wheels Ford Raptor Truck

CCC — Bill Lander

CCC — 1943 Cushman U.S. Army WWII Air Force Flight Line Vehicle w/sidecar

CCC — 1943 GPW U.S. Marine WWII Iwo Jima Jeep

CCC — M35A2 Cargo Troop Truck Viet Nam & Desert Storm Era

CCC — M1112 Water Trailer Viet Nam Era

CCC — 1942 Military WW2 Ford Jeep

CCC — 1952 Dodge M37 3/4 ton Korean War Era Military Truck

CCC — 1947 Jeep M38 Military Vehicle

Paso Robles Elementary Schools

Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum

Corvette Car Group

Templeton 4-H

PDC Wagon — Carpinteria Ridge Riders (Pack String)

PDC Wagon — Single Horse Carriage

Paso Robles Co-Op Preschool

Artistry in Motion Performing Arts Center

Gerald Walters Family

SLO County Sheriff's Posse

Kings County Sheriff's Posse

SLO Sheriff's Rodeo

Asiya South Bay Shrine Club "COMICS'

JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Program

Central Coast Moving & Storage

San Miguel Firefighters Association

Paso Robles Youth Baseball

Vintage Roots & Scootin' Boots PRHS Class of 2000

PDC — Prairie Schooner/Mallory

PDC — Peter Schutler/Holvek

1918 Ford Model T

1929 Model A — David Nelson

1940 Chevy Truck on Final Run on Route 66

Benjamin MacConell's 1951 Allis Chalmers

Operation Christmas Child

Ballet Folklorico Flor De Luna

Hesperia Hall Foundation

Third Wheel Tours

Plymouth Congregational Church

PDC — Shandon/Chalome Stage/Silva

Von Dollen Family Wagon

Estrella Warbirds

Richard Canada-Caterpillar Model 22

Richard Canada — 1971 Dodge 1/2 Ton

Central Coast Model T, Paso A's

1912 Indian Motorcycle

1951 Moto Cuzzi Falcone Motorcycle

JohnBoy's Towing

Ranchita Canyon 4-H (UC Regents)

Central Coast Charros

San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau YF&R

Class Act Dance/NCDPAF — The Storybook Nutcracker Ballet

Miss CA Mid-State Fair

Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon

The Ladies of the Barbary Coast

Howard Products Truck

Saint Rose School

Paso Robles Towing

PDC — Big Sandy/Bailey

PDC — Nevada Stage/Crossland

First United Methodist Church of Paso Robles

Cub Scout Pack 92

Almond Acres Charter Academy

Vaqueros de la Región

Meathead Movers

Heely Family — 1947 Caterpillar D2 Tractor

Heely Family — 1935 Caterpillar Tractor

Applause Children's Theater

Cert Community Emergency Response Team

Horseman of the Americas — BULL

Trinity Lutheran School

Kuehl Nicolay Funeral Home

PDC — Molly Carriage

PDC — Black Studebaker Wagon

1940 Chevy Panel Delivery — Domingos Family

Brown-Silva/Classen Family Tractors

Dawson Daniel 1949 John Deere/NO. 44H Plow

Alliance Towing

Piece of 805 Miniature Horses

Maverick Church

"Paso a Pasito" Kids Dance Club

Suffragettes Never Gave Up

Ty Strouss

PDC — Green Small Stagecoach/Berman

BEAN FEED

By

No Pioneer Day is complete without a pot of beans cooking. Since 1931, enough beans to feed the entire community have been cooked over a fire early in the morning before the Pioneer Day parade. All of this was in effort to bring the community together and has been fondly known as the annual Bean Feed.

Of course, the Bean Feed would not be possible if it weren't for — well, the beans, of course.

For the last two years, the dry beans have been donated by King City farmers Richard and Joan Morgantini and the Morgantini Ranches. Sadly, Richard passed away in February of this year at the age of 93. Prior to his passing, Richard wanted to ensure that beans would still be delivered and

donated to the Pioneer Day Bean Feed this year.

Last year, Richard told Paso Robles Press Magazine he and Joan love to give back to their community and wanted to contribute to the Pioneer Day festivities.

According to his obituary, Richard was born Jan. 23, 1930, in Greenfield, California, to Charles and Mary Morgantini. He attended King City High School, where he was an active member of FFA and then served in the United States Navy in a combat construction battalion. For 65 years, he dedicated his life to his passion of farming and restoring vintage tractors.

Richard gave back to his community in more than one way. He was first elected to serve on the

Monterey County Board of Education in 1979 and continued to do so for the next 28 years. Before that, he served on the Soledad School Board for 12 years.

Richard even found the time to serve on the board of directors for several agricultural related organizations and continued to give back to his community through his church, American Legion, 4-H, and more.

The current captain of the Bean Feed, David Kudija, reiterates that volunteers are what makes the Paso Robles Pioneer Day wheel go round.

"To my mind, the strength of the Paso Robles Pioneer Day committee is its ability to attract young members," he said. "So many of the civic organizations in Paso Ro -

bles and surrounding communities, and I am sure across the country, are suffering and often disbanding due to the age of their membership. Those who have been part of the organization for many years are aged and infirm and, in many cases, no longer with us, and there are no young members joining the group to replace them. A core strength of the Pioneer Day committee is their ability to attract young people to their group."

Richard's dedication to giving back to Pioneer Day and the bean feed inspired another local couple to follow in his footsteps.

Paso Robles locals Ren and April Gomes of A List Properties heard of Richard and decided that was how they wanted to support their community. As a boy, Ren

Camille DeVaul

Community gathers to get their share of beans during the 2022 Paso Robles Pioneer Day. Photos courtesy of Brittany App

would attend Pioneer Day with his grandparents and bring home a pot of beans for the family. Now, Ren and April, who live in his grandparents' house, have come full circle by covering additional costs for the bean feed.

Ren and April are looking forward to being able to contribute to keeping the heritage and traditions alive in Paso Robles.

"When you think about how many people actually enjoy that day and the tradition and those that are able to interact in that event, it really encompasses such a broad spectrum of ages and groups and bringing families together and appreciating our small town," April said.

David adds, "This ability of the committee to attract young mem -

bers convinces me that this great Paso Robles tradition will continue for many years to come."

Several dedicated Bean Feed volunteers have passed away within the last year. These people dedicated many hours to Pioneer Day and loved everything it stood for. So, we would like to dedicate this year's Bean Feed in memory of those who made it special: Richard Morgantini, Harry Ovitt, Tom Flynn, Denise Schinbine Cameron, and Don Keefer.

Beans are served by dedicated volunteers at 12 p.m. on Pioneer Day this Oct. 14. They can be found in Paso Robles City Park across from the Clock Tower on 12th Street.

We look forward to sharing beans and memories with you this year!

Pioneer Queen Margaret Avila

Carries on a Tradition of Community & Heritage

By Camille DeVaul

Joining over 90 years worth of women before her, Margaret Craspay Avila reigns as Queen for the 93rd Annual Paso Robles Pioneer Day this October. Since the first Pioneer Day in 1931, a Grand Marshal and Queen have been chosen from families who have settled in our area to reign over the celebration.

Born in Paso Robles in 1932, Margaret grew up attending the Pioneer Day Parade with her mother. Her favorite memory of those days was playing in the park with all of the other little kids, a fun change for a little country kid from the outskirts of town. Decades later, Margaret would watch her own family be added to the Pioneer Day history books. She enjoys reminiscing on when her sister-inlaw Gladys Craspay was Queen in 2006 and her granddaughters Crystal and Alicia later served as Belle Attendants in the parade.

Pioneer Day is a day to embrace heritage, and with heritage comes history. Each member of the Pioneer Day Royal Court brings a thread of family history that weaves into the blanket of Paso Robles’s past and present. Margaret’s thread began in 1901 when her mother came to California from France.

Alongside her aunt and uncle, Margaret’s mother, Marie Bordes settled in Colusa with Marie’s two brothers, John and René.

Marie would marry Joseph Labarere, who came at an early age to the United States in 1884. Joseph became a sheepherder, traveling from Reno, Nevada, to Los Angeles and made his way north to Bradley, where he continued to raise sheep and later become a cattle rancher.

Margaret and her two brothers — John, who lived to be 93, and Henry, who was in the Navy and died in January of 1946 — were raised on the Labarere Ranch, formally known as the Alvarado Ranch.

Margaret started the family tradition of attending grammar school in San Ardo and then heading to King City High School. She later went to Healds Business College in San Francisco. After graduation, she began secretarial work at the Salinas Valley Fair, where she met her future husband, Sam Avila.

Following their marriage, Margaret and Sam embarked on a ranching journey at Salispuedas Ranch, which she referred to as

"Get Out If You Can!"

This ranch held connections to the Avila family, having been owned by Sam Avila, Sr., whose father, Cipriano "Cip" Avila, served as a packer and guide. Cip's father, Vincente Avila, had explored Lucia and the Coast, eventually settling at Salispuedas in 1864.

During their time at Salispuedas, Margaret and Sam welcomed their first three children: Linda Padgett, the late Valarie Bassetti, and Joanne Willis. Later, they expanded their family with the addition of four more children: Gary Avila, Vivienne DeVaul, Jeff Avila, and Sam Avila. As time passed, the family relocated to the San Ardo Ranch and, subsequently, to the

Labarere Ranch, now recognized as the Avila Ranch.

This is where Margaret calls home today. The Avila family tree has flourished, with 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom actively participated in both the Salinas Valley Fair and the MidState Fair.

We asked Margaret what it means to her for her family to be considered pioneers of the Paso Robles area.

In 1965, Margaret became a member of the Monterey County CattleWomen. She would go on to serve as president for two years and as second and first vice president for a combined four years. She also assumed the role of director for numerous additional years. Her fondest memories of this period include advocating for cattle ranching at the Cow Palace, where she and fellow Cowbelle members engaged with fourth and fifth-grade students and their teachers from San Francisco.

In 1987, Margaret joined the San Luis Obispo CattleWomen. Starting in 2014, she held the position of director and actively participated in various committees, such as those for McLintock's, Paso Robles, and SLO forth-grade field trips; serving at the Cattlemen and Farmers Day at the Mid-State Fair; and organizing events like the Fashion Show at Madonna Inn and Casino Night.

She even went beyond the local level to serve as the California State CattleWomen's president for two years and as second and first vice president for a total of four years.

Sam and Margaret were married for 55 years until his passing in 2005. Still, Margaret hopes the community will remember the heritage they leave behind.

Paso Robles Pioneer Day Queen Margaret with her late husband Sam Avila Sr.

Photo courtesy of the Avila Family

1931 No Queen

1932 Jennie Wiley

1933 Catherine Linn

1934 Elizabeth Bagby

1935 Anna Baker

1936 Rebecca McAdams

1937 Julia Brainard

1938 Theresa Daniels

1939 Anna Willis

1940 Alida Nyberg

1941 Emma Rude

1942 Lucy Brown

1943 No Parade

1944 No Parade

1945 Grace Heaton

1946 Mary Fowler

1947 Maggie Lewis

1948 Nora and Zora Truesdale

1949 Ida Twisselman

1950 Mamie Stockdale

1951 Jessie Tuley

1952 Ora Mae Trager

1953 Olive Smith

1954 Josephine Margetts

1955 Mae Hitchcock 1956 Viva Anderson

1957 Mary Ryan

1958 Freda Knight

1959 Belle Parker

1960 Emilie White

1961 Pauline Dodd

1962 Lois Webster

1963 Ida Stahl

1964 Hortense Wright

1965 Jennie Jesperson

1966 Marie Cammack

1967 Bertha Dittemore

1968 Carrie Blake

1969 Marie Sinclair

1970 Kate Swayze

1971 Elise Loose

1972 Velma Dayton Robertson

1973 Winifred Davis

1974 Lilah Davies

1975 Dena Mulhall

1976 Ada Dugger

1977 Agatha Lichti

1978 Ella Adams

1979 Lilian Wreden

1980 Betty Olden

1981 Eleanor Still

1982 Elsie Hawkins

1983 Thelma Jardine

1984 Alta Dooth

1985 Dolly Barba Bader

1986 Margaret Dyck

1987 Ione MacLean Bowman

1988 Irene Leisy Hege

1989 Beth Pfister Lamas

1990 Irene Fieguth

1991 Marian Claassen

1992 Lois Smith

1993 Agnes Anderson

1994 Margaret Gates

1995 Aila D. Alley-Beardsley

1996 Dorothy Wolf Kleck

1997 Laura Rist

1998 Audrey Murray

1999 Eleanor Schlegel

2000 Myrtle Boatman

2001 Alta Claassen

2002 Carol Tucker

2003 Audrey Cary

2004 Isabel Bermingham

2005 Alberta Stone Lewis

2006 Gladys Craspay

2007 Beverly Lyle Tornquist

2008 Eleanor Heaton Sachs

2009 Maggie Vandergon

2010 Carol Root Smeltzer

2011 Barbara Bethel Lewin

2012 Joan Finley Crother

2013 Norma Della Moye

2014 Dottie Reiff

2015 Mary Mastagni

2016 June Bertoni

2017 Ellen Mae (Hansen)

Schroeder

2018 JoAnn Switzer

2019 Milene Barlogio

2020 No Parade

2021 Irene Marquart

2022 Beverly (Jespersen)

Steinbeck

2023 Margaret (Craspay) Avila

thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors 2023

g Sandra Vibor PR Safe & Lock

Parkside Real Estate

San Miguel Lions Club

ACCESS Publishing

Ada’s Vineyard, LLC - Kathy Tucker

Advanced Electrical Systems - Dennis

Mastagni

Alliance Board Co.

AMC Machining Inc

Apache Machine & Tools Inc

Apex Fire Control

Arciero Inns Corp

B & S Ebelherr

Bank of the Sierra

Barley & Boar - Atascadero

Black Oak Best Western

Blake’s Inc

Bob & Dolores Sonne

Bridge Sportsmen’s Center

Browder Painting Company

Brown’s Cycles, Inc

Brush Family BBQ

Cagliero Ranches Inc

California Coast Beer Co.

California Standoff

Carson & Karen Wiley

Chains Required

Chris Iversen, Atty at Law

Cielo Ristorante & Rooftop Bar

Coastal Ag Labor Resources

Cowgirl Café

Cultural Resource Mgmt Service

D & J Camping & Clothing

DaLee & Randy Canaday

David Foltz Automotive

Delta Liquid Energy

Dr John and Sally Davis

Dubost Winery

Eagle Door & Hardware

Eagle Medical Packaging/Sterilization

Eberle Winery

Ernie & Rachel Rey

Ernst Family Trust - Margaret Ernst

Family Optometric Care of PR, Inc

Filipponi & Thompson Drilling Inc

Frontier Floor Coverings

Gary Abatti Trucking

GEE Agri-Transport Inc

Glenair Inc

Grant Marcum DDS

Great Western Alarm

H & R Block – Debra Gallant

Hamon Overhead Door Co.

Hank’s Welding Service

Harris Family Properties LLC

Homestead Apartments

Idler’s Home - Jennifer Idler

Jack’s Bar & Grill

Javadi Farm Labor Inc.

sponsors

Jayde – Andrea Phillips

Jayne Orcutt & Edward Casper

Jeremy & Michelle Dortch

Jim Irving

K Brush Concrete Inc

Katherine Barnett

Keith & Kathleen Belmont

Ken Umber Construction

Kurt Williams

Lance Holt

Linda & John Tubb

Lorraine Cagliero

Lubrizol Advanced Material Inc. – Cindy Terra

Margaret Heely

Mark’s Tire Service

Marlene E Heaton

Matt’s Smog & Car Care

McPhee’s Grill

Na Zhang Therapeutic Massage

Native Sons of the Golden West # 150

Nick & Carolyn Gilman

North County Care – Minor Emergency Svcs

North County Diesel Specialties

Oaks Independent Insurance Solutions

O’Connor & Roxbrough CPA’s

Pacific Coast Survey & Design

Palomar Homes

Paso Printers

community sponsors

Paso Robles Rotary Club

City of Paso Robles

Paso Robles Police & Emergency Svcs.

Paso Robles Community

Volunteer Police Patrol

Estrella Warbirds Museum

pioneer day officers and committeee chairmen

Chairman: Margaret Wicks

Vice-Chairwoman: Lori Woods

Recording Secretary: Shan Tucker McCornack

Corresponding Secretary: Ashely Boneso

Treasurer: Fran Tognazzini

Parade Entries: Kelli Johnson

Horse/Wagon Entries: Wade Taylor

Parade Marshal Candidates: Bob Tullock & Mark Perry

Parade Queen Candidates: Karen Roden & Debbie Vandergon

Paso Robles Chevrolet

Paso Robles Dental Lab

Paul & Karen Lamas

Paul & Karen Smeltzer

Pine Street Saloon

Pioneer Automotive Machine Service

Reminisce – Jeannie Bork

Respite, Inc

Richard & Joan Morgantini

Roden Farms - Billy & Karen Roden

Roxanna & Jeff Sale

Sarah Kramer

Savage Spirits

Sensations Printed Apparel

Shaver Security Gates – Robert Shaver

Spring Street Auto

Steve Gregory Consulting

Susan Bohner

Ted Hamm Insurance - Chris Raders

Templeton Twerps & RockyWeber

Terry Minshull

The Blueprinters & Graphics

Tony Domingos Farming Inc.

Tony Ramos Farms Inc

Vista Del Rio Apartments

Western Janitor Supply

Weyrick Companies

Woodland Auto Display

Belle and Attendant Candidates: Jill Smith, Gina Hambly & Gelene Dodd-Coehlo

Kick-off Party: Tara Tedeschi

Publicity Director: Karli Twisselman

Gymkhana: Nicole Mitchell

Paso Robles Event Center Horse Stalls & Bedding: Wade Taylor & Shan McCornack

Horseshoe Contest: Nevin Linthicum

Tractor Entries: Travis Hansen

Political Entry Questions: Lori Woods

Additional Board Members:

Mark Perry, Sarah Kramer, Tom Madden, Steve Hansen, Justin Brush, Robby Boneso, Tami (Bertoni) Smith, Scott Reneau, Paul Viborg, Emily Brush , Zach Taylor, Les Stemper and Andy Brown

Emeritus Board Members: Maggie Vandergon, Norma Moye, Dottie Reiff, Bob Tullock

www.pasoroblespioneerday.org

Pioneer Marshal Don Campbell

A lifetime of dedication to community and heritage

By Camille DeVaul

The

93rd Annual Paso Robles

Pioneer Day Marshal is none other than Don Campbell. This year, Don joins an exclusive list of people who have been chosen for their dedication in preserving the history of Paso Robles area pioneers. Many of them were like Don, honored to be given the distinguished title of Marshal, but also more invested in the heritage that surrounds it.

His involvement with Pioneer Day dates back to 1964. While attending Cal Poly, he was invited to attend the parade by the man who was headed the tractor side of things. From there, he was hooked. But Don's roots in San Luis Obispo County go much deeper than that. So if you bear with me for a moment, I would like to take you back in time to the days of industrial revolutions — to when horses began to run alongside steam.

Don's maternal family history is a tale of pioneers and settlers in California. It all began with his great-grandfather Elbridge Miles, who embarked on a journey to California in 1850, sailing around the treacherous Cape Horn with his wife Mary. Elbridge became a successful herdsman and, in 1872, settled in San Luis Obispo County, particularly in the Cholame and Bitterwater area. He later moved closer to the coast, near Avila Hot Springs, where he established Miles Station on the Pacific Coast Railway, facilitating the transportation of agricultural goods via Avila pier.

In the mid-1870s, Nathan King from Pennsylvania joined Miles Station and married Elbridge and Mary's daughter, Amanda Gerry. They had six children, including Mabel, Don's grandmother. Nathan served as the San Luis Obispo

County clerk and recorder until his passing in 1884.

Don's great-grandfather on his paternal side, John Campbell, took a different path to California, traveling in a covered wagon from Indiana to San Luis Obispo in 1873. John, a skilled carpenter, played a role in constructing the Avila Beach Pier. He eventually owned a farm in See Canyon, where Don's grandfather Frank was born and raised. Later, John worked in the La Panza mines and even ran the La Panza Saloon.

Frank married Mabel, and they initially moved to San Francisco, where he became one of California's first motorcycle police officers. However, the call of rural life led

them to establish a family ranch in Santa Clara. This is where Don and his sister Jean were raised and engaged in fruit farming. Don's family history is a rich tapestry of pioneers, settlers, and hardworking individuals who contributed to the growth and development of California over generations.

While attending Cal Poly, he married his high school sweetheart Gail and the two purchased a ranch in the El Pomar District of Templeton after graduation. There they raised their three daughters: Kathy, Debbie, and Lori. In 1971, Don earned his Master's degree in agriculture from Cal Poly and taught agriculture and shop at San Luis

High School for seven years.

On his Templeton ranch, Don has farmed everything from grain to hay and now grapes alongside a small purebred sheep operation.

Throughout the year, Don has been extensively involved with the community. He and Gail founded a real estate office in Paso Robles, while he was also a certified appraiser for farm equipment, livestock, and equine. Hailing back to his grandfather Nathan's legacy, he served on the SLO County Planning Commission for 11 years, representing District 5. He and Gail have several grandchildren and a great-grandchild named Campbell. Don's contributions include founding Heritage Oaks Bank, serving on the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce board, leading the Pioneer Day Tractor Committee, being a long-term Rotary Club member and president, a 4-H Club leader, and holding positions in grape growers' organizations. He and Gail were named Roblans of the Year in 2012.

On Pioneer Day, you can usually find Don with the tractors. In 1963, he ended up trading some fencing work for an old tractor off a ranch in the Edna area of San Luis Obispo. He restored that tractor, and ever since it has made a yearly debut in the parade.

Don has remained dedicated to keeping that tradition alive, always being a familiar face around town. But an integral part of not just keeping traditions like Pioneer Day going, but everything that makes the heart of a community beat, are due to volunteers, which Don has greatly acknowledged.

This year, you can spot Don at the head of the parade for a change — be sure to wave hello when you do!

Paso Robles Pioneer Day Marshal Don Campbell poses in front of aircraft at the Estrella Warbird Museum during the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Royalty dinner in August.

Photo by Hayley Mattson

past marshals

1931 Sam Eddy

1932 Walter Brush

1933 Walter Brush

1934 Dan Lewis

1935 Dan Lewis

1936 Henry Ramage

1937 Victor Ortega

1938 Willis and Hillis

Truesdale

1939 John Hardie

1940 Jake Tuley

1941 George Huston

1942 James and Ronald McDonald

1943 No Parade

1944 No Parade

1945 Jake Rector

1946 Jim Lemen

1947 Joseph Stanley

1948 Frank Halter

1949 Lawrence Barba

1950 R. C. Heaton

1951 Everett Hopper 1952 Bert Morehouse 1953 Louis Wolf 1954 John Tidrow 1955 Fred Blackburn 1956 Ed Dodd 1957 Robert Work 1958 Jess Wilkinson 1959 Ernest Still 1960 Claude Stockdale

1961 Clyde Taylor

1962 Fred Twisselman

1963 Jack Botts

1964 Ben Claassen

1965 Andrew Iverson

1966 John Bowman

1967 Caryol Stockdale

1968 Don McMillan

1969 George White

1970 Jerry Brush

1971 Jake Martens

1972 Karl Glass

1973 Wes Wimmer

1974 Leo Stanley

1975 Kenneth Davies

1976 Tom Cameron

1977 Chris Klintworth

1978 Leo Oberg

1979 Walter Lighti

1980 Brady Palla

1981 Otto Van Horn

1982 Bodie Riewerts

1983 Miles Barlogio

1984 Ed Birmingham

1985 Daniel E. Lewis

1986 Earl M. Newsom

1987 Albert Sauret

1988 William J. Parlet

1989 Louis Bergman

1990 Clarence Sayler

1991 Elmer Morehouse

1992 Elvin Casteel

1993 LeRoy Stewart

1994 Ray Dodd

1995 Gene Bryan

1996 Harrison Wilson

1997 Clarence Sinclair

1998 Gene Ernst

1999 Bill Gerst

2000 Nick Marquart

2001 George Hansen

2002 Joe Brown

2003 Dave Rowe

2004 Gilbert Davies

2005 Bob Lewis

2006 Oliver “Obbie” Terrill

2007 Lester Rougeot

2008 Wayne Harris

2009 Ray Pesenti, Sr.

2010 Don Keefer

2011 Art Von Dollen

2012 Bruce Tuley

2013 Norm Bridge

2014 Ole Viborg

2015 Calvern Saylor

2016 John Bertoni

2017 Daryl Stinchfield

2018 Bob Tullock

2019 Larry and Tom Moore

2020 No Parade

2021 Tom Flynn Sr.

2022 Harold Steinbeck

2023 Don Campbell

Continuing a legacy of Pioneer traditions Kayla PioneerDegnanBelle

By Camille DeVaul

Reigning as this year’s Pioneer Day Belle is Miss Kayla Ireland Degnan — and she is no stranger to the wonders of the Pioneer Day Royal Court.

Kayla has been awaiting her turn to serve as a Belle for Pioneer Day: “It’s been a historical thing for my family. My mom was a belle attendant, and so was my sister.”

Remnants of Kayla’s family’s contributions to the community can be spotted at some of our most prominent landmarks. The Paso Robles High School senior is representing San Miguel this year, with family names being Ruth, Morgan, Crettol, and Degnan.

Alongside the Pioneer Marshal and Queen, a committee chooses a Belle and attendants to represent different areas of the Paso Robles region. They look for young women whose family has a historical connection to the region, dating back 50 to 100 years. Many of them come from farming families and townsfolk. This year, Kayla will stand as the only Belle with no attendants.

Her family legacy began with her great-great grandfather, Harold Ruth, settling in the Bryson-Hesperia area of San Miguel in 1912. Harold would build one of the most iconic spots in North County. In the 1930s, he built the Templeton Feed and Grain, later selling it to the Tom Jermin family 10 years later. He also ventured as far as Cayucos, where he and his wife Mary Alice Ruth had a fishing business, Ruth’s Landing, where they launched boats for fishermen.

Kayla’s great-great grandfather, Charles Morgan, arrived in the Creston area when he was a child

in the 1920s. Charles grew up to be a ranch hand for many Creston ranchers, and ran his own business in Paso Robles for many years, known as Morgan’s Brake Service.

On another side of her family, Kayla’s great-great grandfather, Jess Crettol, immigrated from Switzerland as a young boy, settled in Wasco. In 1933 he moved to San Miguel with his wife, Blanche. Jess was a stonemason and adobe brickmaker who renovated the San Miguel Mission and built and repaired many of the adobe buildings and churches in the North County area in the '30s, '40s, and '50s.

“The mission is something special to our family and especially to me,” said Kayla of her family’s history. “Getting

to know that walking around that some of those parts were built by my ancestors and part of my community is special to think of.”

Moving forward in time, Kayla’s great-grandfather, Jackson Ruth, was born in Paso Robles in 1917. Jackson graduated in 1935 from Paso Robles High School, where he lettered in track. He went on to be a successful mobile and diesel tractor mechanic working for many of the ranchers in the North County area. He was also a firefighter and chief in 1945 for the Templeton Fire Department. Jackson married Blanche (Crettol) Ruth in February 1939 at the San Miguel Mission. Kayla’s maternal grandparents, Richard Ruth and Carolyn (Morgan)

Ruth, were both born in North County and married in 1968, after Richard’s tour in Vietnam. Her paternal grandparents, Bill and Anne Degnan, met while Bill was at Mission San Miguel studying at the seminary and married in 1968. They raised their four children in the Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Atascadero areas.

Embracing Paso Robles history is something Kayla feels passionate about, and she looks forward to being a part of it come parade day.

“Without Pioneer Day, our community would look different, and we have to remember where we came from and acknowledge and to move on in the future to succeed later in life,” she says.

Pioneer Day Belle Kayla Degnan is shown with her parents, Lynette and Roger Degnan, during the Old Timers BBQ on August 27. Photo by Becca Sligh

TRADITIONS

The old covered wagon, a symbol of Pioneer Day, was put through many a year of hard service before it was retired to the comparative calm of Paso Robles summers and winters. It was staunchly built back in 1862 of well-seasoned oak, maple, and walnut. Its bed is 16 feet long; its huge steelrimmed wheels turn around wooden axles. The wheels were 6 feet in diameter originally, with wheel hubs 20 inches across. The old museum piece was used as a freighter running over Donner Pass from San Francisco to the Nevada goldfields for many years.

It was brought to Lockwood in 1882 by William Nance, who used it in regular overland freight service for 15 years. The Patterson family purchased the wagon in 1897, who used it for freighting, and in later years to haul grain. The Pattersons loaned the wagon to the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee from 1931 until approximately 1938, when it was purchased by the committee as a permanent relic.

This Pioneer Day Parade is one of the finest anyone will see anywhere! It begins at 16th and Spring streets at 10 a.m. sharp, travels south on Spring Street to 11th Street (in front of the Paso Robles Inn), goes east on 11th Street to Pine Street, then north on Pine Street to 13th Street. Each year, there are approximately 200 entries, highlighted by the royalty, the covered wagon, and the biggest collection of antique wagons, and an impressive collection of antique tractors, harvesters, automobiles, horse-drawn carriages, floats, marching bands, military vehicles, and entries from equine groups, schools, and various organizations. It is fun for the entire family. Bring your favorite lawn chairs, hats, and sunscreen, and plan on a memorable experience.

HOOSEGOW Serving the Community SinCe 1889 18 PASO ROBLES PIONEER DAY | OCTOBER 2023

Operating the hoosegow in the Paso Robles Pioneer Day parade was a lot more fun in the old days when any man along the parade route that wasn’t sporting a beard or mustache could be thrown in the old-fashioned, horsedrawn jail, transported to the Downtown City Park and unceremoniously dunked in the water trough if their friends didn’t make bail for them. While the wild tradition has been tamed, the hoosegow remains an important part of Pioneer Day celebrations, having become a tradition in itself.

Organizers said it has been a part of the parade for “at least 50 years.” The only modern concession is that it’s no longer horse drawn — it now has rubber tires, and organizers pull it with a jeep. Buttons to support Pioneer Day are sold in restaurants, the Paso Robles Main Street Association office, and the Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce. If you’re not wearing one on the day of the parade, you might find yourself offered a free ride in the hoosegow. Wear a pin ... or end up in the hoosegow!

CONTESTS

Kicking off the Pioneer Day morning is the Littlest Cowboy and Cowgirl contest. Children six and under compete for honor as the best dressed (and cutest) cowboy, cowgirl, or pioneer. The contest starts at 8 a.m. at the Paso Robles City Park gazebo.

Later, the gentleman can meet at the Carnegie Library in the park for the Wiskerino Contest. Following the parade at 12:30 p.m., men can gather at the library to compete for the most unique mustache, best mustache, fullest mustache, or best overall mustache.

PIONEER MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

Pioneer Day is about honoring Paso Roblan's history, and the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum is the best way to relive all of it.

The Pioneer Museum begins welcoming visitors at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Everyone is welcome to walk through time and visit the museum's exhibits or enjoy the plenty of other activities happening outside.

Enjoy music, watch wool spinning and wheat weaving, listen to small gasoline engines or practice your cowboy skills. See up close the antique tractors that had just strolled down Spring Street in the parade.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 2010 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles.

photos by Brittany App and Dave Skinner

REMEMBERING PASO ROBLES' FIRST PIONEER DAY

By

On the brisk morning of October 12, 1931, the town of Paso Robles opened its arms in a warm embrace, welcoming not just its own residents, but all who wished to join in the festivities of the inaugural Pioneer Day celebration.

With great anticipation, citizens from surrounding towns and countryside converged on Paso Robles to pay homage to the pioneers whose determined spirit had shaped the town’s very existence. As Paso Robles Press declared on October 6, 1931, this celebration was dedicated to those who “blazed the trail” and carved a path through hardships to create the modern town of Paso Robles.

The brainchild of Reverend Charles L. Thackeray, known affectionately as “The Dean,” Pioneer Day was conceived during the throes of the Great Depression. Thackeray, while on vacation, realized the need for greater understanding between urban and rural communities. His vision was rooted in acknowledging the vital contribution of those on ranches and farms to the city’s prosperity. Hence, the idea to hold a grand celebration that would bridge this gap and foster unity was born. Thackeray’s passion for this project was palpable when he shared his idea with a small group at St. James Episcopal

Church on May 28, 1931. Thackeray’s proposal found resonance among various organizations and community pillars. Churches, service clubs, the Woman’s Club, Fire Department, PTA, Farm Bureaus, Chamber of Commerce, and the Business & Professional Women’s Club all rallied behind the idea, setting the stage for a collaborative and inclusive event. The meetings leading up to Pioneer Day were marked by discussions and decisions and “Pioneer Day” was born. This name captured the essence of the celebration, paying tribute

to those who had laid the groundwork for the town’s growth. Various event chairs were appointed, and plans began to take shape. The celebration would include a parade, games, contests, and even dancing, creating a vibrant tapestry of festivities.

The day arrived with much fanfare and excitement. The parade, a highlight of the Pioneer Day celebrations, showcased five units representing different periods of pioneer history. As thousands lined the streets, the procession wound its way through the town, offering a visual narrative of Paso Robles’ evolution. Sam Eddy led the parade as the first Pioneer Day Marshal, embodying the pioneering spirit.

The heart of Pioneer Day beat vibrantly in Paso Robles City Park, where families gathered for a joyous picnic. Adults were treated to complimentary coffee, while children enjoyed free milk. A belle contest, initiated with a ten-cent-per-vote system, crowned Ann Casper as the Belle of Pioneer Day. Her attendants, Hazel Ernst, Bee Glass, Elizabeth Hibbard, and Olive Street, stood alongside her.

Thackeray’s vision and leadership steered the Pioneer Day celebrations for four successful years until his passing in 1935. Even then, the celebration honored his memory. As the years have rolled on, the legacy of that first Pioneer Day remains embedded in Paso Robles’ identity.

Paso Robles Area Historical Society and Museum

Photos courtesy of the Paso Robles Area Historical Society