Carbon Canyon Brush Drop-Off This Saturday the 26th

As part of the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council's mission to "preserve our Canyon's natural and man-made resources on public and private property by the development and enforcement of ecologically sound and appropriate fire safety measures," the organization is holding the first of two Brush Drop-Off days this Saturday the 26th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For residents of the Chino Hills side of the Canyon only, please bring your cut brush and other plant material to a roll-off bin provided courtesy of Waste Management and the City of Chino Hills just past Fire Station 64 on Canon Lane north of Carbon Canyon Road.  Council volunteers will be there to assist in off-loading into the bins.

Property inspections will be undertaken by the Chino Valley Fire District in early May, so this is definitely the time to remove brush and other plant material and bring it down to the drop-off location.  Again, this is only for residents of the Chino Hills portion of the Canyon.  We hope to see you there!

The Serenity Grove Housing Community Coming Soon . . . in Sleepy Hollow?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference—based on a prayer by the Lutheran theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, ca. early 1930s.

The billboard has just popped up on the south side of Carbon Canyon Road across from its intersection with Canyon Hills Road as Trumark Homes, which has a major new project at the southernmost limits of Chino Hills, announces that "Coming Soon" is the Serenity Grove housing project or "luxury singly-family homes" and also offers the chance to join the "VIP list" for those "to be the first to hear about community updates, pricing, sales releases and more."

It does look like Trumark should study the area a bit more and perhaps exhibit "the courage to change the things" it can.  It advertises that "Serenity Grove is located in the exclusive Sleepy Hollow neighborhood," which is ironic on multiple levels, for those who know.  The property is actually adjacent to Oak Tree Downs and Hillcrest, both of which would certainly be viewed by most as more "exclusive" than Sleepy Hollow!

In any case, 50 houses are part of the tract with square footage ranging from about 3,500 to north of 4,150 and prices "anticipated from the $2 millions!"  The residences will be four and five bedrooms and up to 4 1/2 baths and "each home embodies elegance, comfort, and versatility."  Moreover, the ad adds, "nestled within the rolling landscape of Carbon Canyon, Serenity Grove is enveloped by natural beauty," which is slowly being reduced, "bordered by a tranquil stream," this being Carbon [Canyon] Creek, and centuries-old oak trees that create a secluded, resort-like ambiance."

With Chino Hills' system of more than 40 parks, nearly 50 miles of trails and 3,000 acres or so of open space, the tract is promoted as being in an environment "offering an inspired lifestyle that balances refined living with outdoor adventure."  Notably, the highlight of this is Overlook Park, which is actually a several miles drive away, but, because that is in the "exclusive" Vellano neighborhood, the linkage is abundantly clear.

Consequently, the ad concludes, "Serenity Grove blends the sophistication of modern design with the natural beauty and rich heritage," though this goes unexamined and unexplained, "of Chino Hills—offering a lifestyle that's both refined [that word, again] and deeply connected to its surroundings," though this connection seems more physical than, say, environmental or spiritual.

In any case, to sign-up for that VIP list and keep abreast of developments at Serenity Grove, follow this link.

Signs O' The Times: Carbon Canyon Road/State Route 142 Littered With New Signs

This is not to unduly criticize CalTrans District 8 and their efforts to do what it can to mitigate traffic problems on State Route 142, otherwise known as Carbon Canyon Road.  It is well understood that there is only so much that can be done in the face of a significant degree (heard and seen for more than twenty years from this blogger's vantage point above what can often be called Carbon Canyon Speedway) of dangerous driving.

It is strange, though, that the highway was once considered a prime candidate for designation as a California scenic route as it wends its way through Carbon Canyon and vicinity in Brea and Chino Hills because, increasingly, CalTrans has added more guardrails and, especially, signs in an attempt (fruitless and futile, as it may actually be) to do something to mitigate driver behavior in the Canyon.

Perhaps the number of signs here on Carbon Canyon Road at the summit in Chino Hills is a tad excessive?

Most recently, towards the end of 2024, a great many signs were placed along the road and, mirroring what seems to be a general trend noticed elsewhere on freeways and off-ramps and on-ramps, the tendency in thinking seems to be that relentless repetition is a surefire reminder to derelict drivers to mind their Ps and Qs.  So, for example, on the 60 Freeway in City of Industry, there are a row of signs placed close together warning of  "Soft Shoulder," while the southbound 57 Freeway at Lambert Road in Brea has had a similar abundance of signs for drivers approaching the intersection of what to do.

The latest additions on Carbon Canyon Road have mainly consisted of plentiful helpings of two-faced (no insult intended) arrow signs on or near curves to let drivers know that the highway changes direction into and out of curves, when a sign or two, not to mention those helpful double yellow centerlines that follow the changing path, seem to be plenty.  On the eastbound side approaching the summit, there is a flashing light and speed indicator, to boot, though one wonders if these would be better on straightaways or sections with a decline.

This crash took place just a day or two after these "two-faced" signs were installed, so how effective are these really?

Yet, literally within a day or two of some of these new signs being placed at the summit and despite that helpful speed indicator, drivers plowed into a guardrail in the summit area, while around that time, other sections of rail were mowed down in that area and a property owner who has long had damage to rather ornate wall and fencing had some major damage done in the driveway.  If this surfeit of signs was supposed to deter more accidents, it would appear that this is not the case.

Notably, on the Brea side, which is another CalTrans district, this being #12, this approach of stuffing signage along the route was not adopted and, predictably, a regular run of skid-marks, damaged fencing, scattered dirt and rocks from hammered hillsides and the leavings of fenders and assorted car pieces continues much as before.

Um . . . is it 25 mph or 35 mph?

Lastly, and this post was delayed a few months to see if it would be noticed and changed, there is a bit of contradictory warnings about the suggested speed as westbound drivers head into the first set of curves of Sleepy Hollow.  What once seemed like one of the largest signs around, on the north (right) side was replaced with a smaller one (wonder why exactly?) that continues the recommendation, highly honored in the breach, of 25 mph, but, just a short distance away on the south (left) side of the highway has the suggestion of 35 mph—not to mention that the indicator of the shape of the highway is also variable.  Which is it?

Again, it is fully appreciated that CalTrans has limits on what it can do to promote traffic safety on State Route 142.  The use of taxpayer dollars, however, on this recent spate of signage, the efficacy of which seems questionable, is compounded by the regular repairs that have to be made because of damaged caused by errant drivers who are essentially granted impunity by the near complete absence of patrolling.   A reasonable physical presence, even in fairly infrequent, but well-timed, occurrences would, it seems, go much father in efficiency and results than mere signs.

Tres Hermanos Ranch History Talk at Brea Historical Society Next Wednesday the 16th

For those who have not heard presentations on the history of Tres Hermanos Ranch, the next of these will take place next Wednesday, 16 April at 6:30 p.m. as part of the annual meeting of the Brea Historical Society.

The talk will include the area's use as public lands under Spain and México, its inclusion as part of the Rancho Los Nogales, and its acquisition by the "three brothers," William R. Rowland, William B. Scott and Harry Chandler, who ran cattle on the 2,500-acre property and built a Spanish-style ranch house that survived until the early 2000s.

Now, the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority, comprised of owner, the City of Industry, and the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, in which the ranch is located, manages the land and has recently been offering public tours.  The next of these have not yet been announced, but it appears that there will be offerings at least twice a year, if not more.

In the meantime, join us at the Brea Historical Museum at City Hall Park, 495 S. Brea Boulevard.  Seating is limited, so you can RSVP by sending an email to info@breamuseum.org.

La Vida and Carbon Canyon Mineral Springs Resorts Talk Tomorrow

Here's a last minute reminder that tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Public Library, 4852 Lakeview Avenue, just north of Yorba Linda Boulevard, a presentation will be given on some history of the La Vida and Carbon Canyon mineral springs resorts.

La Vida was by far the better known of the two and operated on the Brea portion of Carbon Canyon near today's Olinda Village community for some seven decades between the 1910s and 1980s, including many years in the production of mineral water of many flavors promising myriad health benefits, while the much lesser-known Carbon Canyon resort ran during the 1930s and 1940s just over the Orange/San Bernardino counties line in the little hamlet of Sleepy Hollow.

In addition to the talk, dozens of artifacts, including postcards, bottles, bottle openers, an ashtray, a motel room key, a bottle crate and many photographs, will be brought for display, as well.  So, if you've missed prior presentations for the Chino Hills and Orange County historical societies, considering joining us tomorrow might (rain showers and all).

La Vida Mineral Springs Presentation @ Yorba Linda Public Library Next Thursday, 6 March

If you missed the previous presentations on some history of the La Vida and Carbon Canyon mineral springs resorts of Carbon Canyon, given to the Chino Hills and Orange County historical societies, or want to get a refresher (get it?), come join us at the Yorba Linda Public Library next Thursday, 6 March @ 6 p.m.

The talk will cover the period from the 1910s through the early 2000s including the operation of the two facilities and their hot mineral water baths, accommodations, cafés, the bottling of La Vida water and more with many illustrations in a slide show.  These include some of more than 20 original negatives of La Vida that have largely never been seen publicly before these talks were offered.

Not only that, but dozens of historic artifacts from La Vida, including photos, postcards, brochures, a hotel room key, water bottles and more will be on display and adds another interesting aspect to the event.  Come join us and, if you have memories to share of La Vida, the Q&A at the end would be a great time to do so.

Hope to see you there!

Some History of the Petrolia Oil Project in Soquel Canyon

Following a presentation given last Wednesday to the Orange County Historical Society on some history of the Olinda Ranch and oil field, a seven-part post on Olinda's predecessor, Petrolia, which was located at the mouth of Soquel Canyon where it meets Carbon Canyon—just behind the Hollydale mobile home park in Olinda Village—has just been finished on The Homestead Blog, published by the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in the City of Industry.

The post goes back to 1865 and the earliest known efforts to prospect for petroleum in the area, including the Cañada de la Brea, or Brea Canyon, which was the original name for what is now Tonner Canyon, extending from where the 57 Freeway is today northeast into the Tres Hermanos Ranch.  The next big push for oil came in the early 1880s when Burdette Chandler, a veteran of oil fields in Canada, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and recently a partner in the Puente oil field a few miles to the west, acquired former public lands at Soquel Canyon and began his efforts at Petrolia.

After a significant amount of money and effort, Petrolia largely faded by the end of the Eighties, but Edward Doheny's discovery of oil just a short distance to the northwest (where the Olinda Oil Museum and Trail is now) brought Olinda into existence.  The post might be of interest to those wanting to know more about the early oil industry in our region and in and around Carbon Canyon specifically.

Check it out with this link.