Rustic Canyon became the choice location for gatherings of the pioneering Marquez family, holding an annual picnic reunion, as far back as the 19th Century–long before the Uplifters and the Methodists both came to discover it.
Clearwater Collection Photo
The Pacific Palisades Historical Society annual general membership meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center. There will be light refreshments, and there is no need to make a reservation.
Many may remember that the location of this meeting was original site of the Uplifters and is located at 601 Latimer Road. One doesn’t have to go through Palisades security checkpoints to access the meeting. As a point of information, Canyon Elementary is hosting its annual School Fiesta from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the same day, so plan on possible traffic.
The program will feature a presentation on the fire’s impact on Palisades locations imbued with historical importance and the challenge of salvage and restoration. The vast majority of the PPHS collection of historic photos, documents, postcards and clippings was in storage, where it remains.
The program will also feature a slideshow chronicling the history of Rustic Canyon, including California’s first experimental forestry station and the exploits of the Uplifters, presented by the inimitable Randy Young. There will also be an announcement regarding some of the much sought-after books on Palisades history that have been out of print.
Current members will vote on the board officers to lead the organization the coming year.