Carbon Canyon History at the Chino Hills Historical Society Presentation Next Monday the 12th

There will be a presentation for the Chino Hills Historical Society next Monday the 12th at 7 p.m. at the community center, 14250 Peyton Drive, across from Ayala High School, on some notable aspects of Carbon Canyon history.

Specifically, the talk will deal with the camp of The Workmen's Circle, a left-wing Jewish mutual aid society now known as the Worker's Circle, which was formed in New York City in 1900 by Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Eastern Europe.  For nearly 125 years, the organization has advocated for social and economic justice and civil liberties for all people.

For some years, the facility, which was opened in 1928, was known as the Workmen's Circle Camp/Resort and was open year-round to all ages, while, later, it was dubbed Camp Kinder Ring and focused on summer programs for children and youth ages 7-16 years.  After 30 years it closed and part of the site was ravaged by a major Canyon wildfire in 1958.

The clubhouse, some concrete-block cabins and other elements, survived the blaze and became a series of camps under such names as El Circulo and the Canyon Hills Swim and Saddle Club.  The discussion will cover these uses through the mid-1960s, with a follow-up in June on later operations at the site, including the short-lived and bizarre Ski Villa, with an all-year plastic needle slope.

We hope to see you there for this presentation on some little-known, but fascinating, Carbon Canyon history.