stories-of-borrego

Museum of Borrego | Newsletter

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:32:32 GMT

Legacy in the Dust

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:29:46 GMT

My first Father in Law was Bill Paine...Born I think in San Diego County and lived and graduated from El Centro Highschool in 1928 their first graduating Class. His Paine Family arrived by Panama crossing from Augusta Maine to San Diego in about 1845. His Family was bringing cattle down Cottonwood Canyon and through Borrego Valley in those early days. His Dad Walter Paine accompanied Herbert Hoover to select the site for the new Hoover Dam.

(Images of Bill Paine)

His Uncle Albert had the Blacksmith business in Julian and Albert also was a cattle driver at Warners Ranch in the early days. His Aunt Marilyn Paine had Apple seeds sent to her and began planting those around Julian and Mt Palomar in the early days.

His best friends and older brother Frank Paine and their wives were constant lifelong friends. The Paine Rancho still survives in El Centro right on the Border line with Mexico. Bill took me there once and the old canal is still there. He and his family became great supporters of Desert camping and passed that pleasure down to me in his later years. He was the first guy to own a Camper Shell which he mounted on his International Pickup truck. That camper went all over the Mountain and Desert campgrounds.

Another uncle was the first to drive a car into Borrego Valley down Plum Canyon... and that old 1922 Dodge truck lingered in Bailey's barn on Mt Palomar for years. I am definitely starting to forget some of the details. Motor cycles were already in Borrego valley at that time! 1922.

Their cattle drives to and from Imperial Valley may have followed the same trail That De Anza used earlier. Not everyone shared Bill Paines desert interests but I did as nothing like that was back in my home town of Indian Hill Ohio.

Much later Bonnie and I went out to build our Desert Star Ranch. An almost level 80 acres with very nice Mountain Views and just West of the nice little Airport. I had been looking for a perfect Desert Ranch for years. Bill did not make it to see that.

Sincerely Stuart Resor

A Story of Family, Frontier, and the Early Days of Borrego

About the Contributor

Stuart Resor is a visionary architect, author, and cultural advocate with deep ties to Borrego Springs. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard, Stuart has led over a thousand architectural projects while preserving California’s surf heritage as founder of the California Surf Museum. He played a key role in bringing Huell Howser to Borrego Springs, helped shape community development, and co-created Desert Star Ranch—a landmark of desert living and creativity.

His memoir, Amazing People I Met Along the Way, shares personal stories of influential encounters and reflects his lifelong dedication to culture, design, and storytelling.

Bonnie Resor , Stuart’s wife and collaborator, is an accomplished interior designer whose vision and partnership have guided many of their shared projects. Together, they have enriched the Borrego Springs community through design, heritage preservation, and artistic innovation.

Alta DuVall: A Life Rooted in Borrego

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Mon, 26 May 2025 04:07:34 GMT

A Story from 1896 to the Early Days of Borrego Springs

A Legacy of Education, Exploration, and Community

Alta Jones DuVall’s story begins on Vinalhaven Island, Maine—born in 1896, the daughter of storekeepers during the peak of the granite trade. She pursued education with focus and drive, graduating from Gorham Normal School in 1917 and later moving west to teach in the rapidly expanding Los Angeles school system.

Alta first encountered the Anza-Borrego desert on a Sierra Club trip, drawn by its vast landscapes and stark beauty. At that time, Borrego Valley was still in its early stages of development—its first deep well had only recently been drilled, and roads remained rugged and scarce. Yet a small settlement was forming around what became known as Old Borego.

It was here Alta met Eddie DuVall, one of two brothers who had taken over the local store and post office after homesteading near Clark Dry Lake. Eddie also served as Deputy Sheriff and kept the Borego Store running through tough years, even as the Great Depression drastically reduced the local population.

Alta and Eddie married in the mid-1930s. She continued teaching in Los Angeles while maintaining a presence in Borrego, traveling regularly between the city and the desert. After a miscarriage, the DuValls adopted their son Denny in 1939, and a daughter followed four years later.

Known for her quiet strength, Alta encouraged independence and curiosity in her children. Her own sense of wonder led her across the desert in a Jeep Willys, collecting Native American artifacts and learning about the region’s first inhabitants, including the Kumeyaay and Cahuilla people.

Her finds— like a fragmentary rattle —became part of the growing local understanding of Borrego’s deep human history.

Alta’s life intersected with a pivotal era in Borrego Valley. She lived through the years when the original Borego Post Office operated out of homesteader homes, when trips for supplies took five days, and when early public institutions like the school, library, and sheriff’s office were just beginning to take shape.

Today, Alta’s legacy continues through her son, Denny DuVall, who preserves and shares the stories of Old Borego. Together with her husband, Alta helped lay the foundation of a community built on perseverance, education, and connection to place.

Her story is a vital thread in the larger tapestry of Borrego Springs—a place still shaped by those early pioneers who made the desert home.

Learn More:

Borrego Beginning by Phil Brigandi tells the story of the isolated desert community of “Borego’s” pioneer homesteaders through the post-WWII rise of Borrego Springs as a resort town. Available at abdnha.org

Artists in Borrego Springs

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Mon, 26 May 2025 03:52:58 GMT

Stories from Borrego’s Creative Community

Art in Borrego Springs isn’t confined to any one space—it shows up in galleries, studios, homes, public installations, and the surrounding desert. It’s part of the town’s identity, shaped by its landscape and the people who live and work here.

In this short film by Colt Knedler, we meet several individuals who contribute to Borrego’s creative community. Elizabeth Rodriguez, owner of The House of Borrego Springs, offers a historical perspective and curates art and artifacts that reflect the town’s roots. Wil Mayo of Rams Hill helped organize a community art gathering and shares their initiative to send summer care packages featuring works by local sculptor Ricardo Breceda.

Art, People, and Place in Borrego Springs

About this video:

A short film by Colt Knedler featuring voices from Borrego Springs’ art community and the spaces—both indoor and outdoor—where creativity takes shape.

Creator: Colt Knedler
Location: Borrego Springs, CA

A Stories of Borrego feature

Follow Colt Knedler:
Instagram: @coltknedler
Yo u Tube: @coltknedler

Breceda, known for his large-scale metal sculptures, speaks to the personal connection he has with the area. Painter Wil Gardner describes how an unexpected donation of paint led to his late-night creative routine. Neon Mike’s installations, including the I ❤ BS sign, add visual interest after dark and reflect the desert’s dramatic lighting.

The Borrego Art Institute plays a central role with rotating exhibits, monthly Art Walks, and educational programming. Rams Hill supports many of these efforts, helping to grow and sustain the local art scene.

This film captures a cross-section of Borrego’s artistic life—diverse in medium and background, but united by a shared sense of place.

Three Generations Deep

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Fri, 23 May 2025 05:57:12 GMT

Luis’ Story at Rams Hill | by Colt Knedler

He started working weekends in high school. Now, as a college student studying turf management, he’s mastering irrigation, greens cutting, and raking bunkers—skills taught to him by his dad and grandfather. The mornings are his favorite. “You hear the birds chirping… It’s just nature. It’s comforting.”

Even after years on the job, the view still amazes him. “I remember the first time I saw it—just a bunch of green turf. It was surreal.” Like the desert's ocotillo blooming after rain, it’s the kind of beauty you don’t forget.

For Luis, this isn’t just a job. It’s tradition, discipline, and pride in doing something well. And one day? He’s aiming to be superintendent too.

Three generations deep. And maybe one more to come.

Early mornings. Mist hanging over the fairways. The quiet hum of John Deere carts rolling through the fog. That’s the rhythm of Rams Hill for Luis, a Borrego Springs local carrying on a legacy that started with his grandfather and continues with his father.

In Colt Knedler’s short film, we meet Luis mid-shift—adjusting holes, trading jokes, and talking about his goals. But this isn’t just about golf course maintenance. It’s about identity, place, and purpose.

Luis was born and raised in Borrego Springs. “It’s basically all I know,” he says. “But I do like it. It’s a calm place.” While others might question how anyone ends up here, Luis gets asked that all the time in college. He just smiles: “People don’t get it. But it’s pretty nice, actually.”

About this video:
In this short film by Colt Knedler, we meet Luis—a third-generation Borrego Springs local working the greens at Rams Hill Golf Club. What started as a weekend job has grown into a lifelong calling, shaped by family, discipline, and the quiet beauty of the Anza-Borrego desert.

Shot on location in Borrego Springs, this story captures more than just golf—it’s about legacy, connection, and finding pride in the details.

Creator: Colt Knedler
Location: Rams Hill Golf Club , Borrego Springs, CA
A Stories of Borrego feature

Follow Colt Knedler:

Instagram: @coltknedler
YouTube: @coltknedler

Pedaling Toward Opportunity

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:52:59 GMT

A Story of Endurance and Advocacy in Borrego Springs

After a 36-year career in education, retired high school biology teacher Sylvia Maas began spending more time in her second home of Borrego Springs, while maintaining her roots in Point Loma. It didn’t take long for her to notice a gap in local educational support—and to step up.

At Borrego Springs High School, students were preparing for college without a dedicated counselor. Sylvia began volunteering her time, mentoring seniors through applications, essays, and financial aid forms. She did this through Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs, becoming a vital resource for students navigating their next steps.

In 2021, she founded Bike4BorregoKids, combining her passion for endurance cycling with a mission to raise scholarship funds for local youth.

In just four years, the impact has been extraordinary:

2021: $5,000 raised; five $1,000 scholarships

2022: $7,000 raised; seven scholarships

2023: Ten $1,000 scholarships

2024: $30,000 raised; twenty $1,500 scholarships and one $5,000 Female Scholar/Athlete award

Supported by the community, friends, and family, Sylvia’s efforts continue to create new opportunities for students in Borrego Springs—and to inspire others through action and heart.

Support the Cause:
Follow Sylvia's rides and updates: Bike4BorregoKids.

Don't Freak Out!

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Tue, 20 May 2025 06:31:15 GMT

Don’t freak out!! Don’t freak out!!

Ok, before yall get started! (I’m looking at YOU!) Yes, the wood lattice on the eastern side of our building, our future museum is gone. I know it looks weird. In all likelihood, the majority of the wood lattice around the entire building is going to have to come down and be replaced. The wood was beyond rotted.

A touch of the hand caused it to sway….not much of a push and the whole side crashed down. It will get replaced, but as wood is bloody hell expensive right now, it may take a while for me to be able to replace it all.

The good news is that it didn’t collapse into the windows AND the building is moving along in the very needed paint process and will be completed (except the dead wood) very soon!

SO… when you drive by don’t freak out and assume I’m destroying the architecture. I’m actually saving it! It seems like “a fine mess Laurel” situation but it is (mostly) intentional!

More soon! Dont freak out!!

From The Desk | May 1st 2025

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Thu, 01 May 2025 02:19:57 GMT

Stories of Borrego

Things are happening at 707 Christmas Circle. The reclamation and restoration of the building itself, the establishing of the oral history archive function of the museum and the museum itself. All three are big undertakings and take some time in order to serve them right. As they are all representative of US, they deserve to be given that proper time and care.

The restoration of the building is moving along and I will post that update next week. For now, I want help clarify Stories of Borrego and Museum of Borrego.

A museum and oral history are distinct, yet complementary, ways of preserving and presenting the past. A museum primarily focuses on collecting, preserving, and exhibiting tangible objects and artifacts, offering a physical representation of history. Oral history, on the other hand, involves collecting and preserving the lived experiences and narratives of individuals through recorded interviews, providing a primarily verbal and subjective account of the past.

Oral history supplements and enriches museum narratives, adding layers of understanding and context to objects and exhibitions. Oral histories provide a more personal and nuanced perspective on events, bringing life to artifacts and making history more relatable. For example, a museum exhibit on World War II could incorporate oral histories from soldiers, civilians, or those who experienced the war firsthand.

In essence, museums offer a tangible, curated view of history, while oral history provides a verbal, subjective, and often diverse perspective, offering a more complete and nuanced understanding of the past.

707 is the home to Stories of Borrego (oral history) and the future home of Museum of Borrego (museum). Production is in the intense planning phase and gearing up for Stories of Borrego and we look forward to presenting our first presentations in late fall of this year. As the building is still under construction, and there is a large archive that has to be sorted, cataloged, curated and digitized; it is going to take a bit longer for the museum to be ready. It will be worth the wait!

The Stories of Borrego logo is now on one of the doors! It honors the Borrego Sun newspaper and its long history of being custodian to our town’s history. Stories of Borrego is about the community telling its story.

Preserving Borrego’s Legacy Through Story and Structure

Stories of Borrego Logo Installed

A nod to the Borrego Sun and a new chapter in preserving our community’s voice

Updates From the Desk

To stay up to date on the Stories of Borrego oral history project, like and follow us on social media. Keep an eye on the forthcoming website — and sign up for the newsletter for exclusive updates, event notices, and restoration progress.

Community...

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:10:53 GMT

I have walked by this sign numerous times without giving it much thought… til a few days ago. The water main at our museum was run over and obliterated sending water everywhere. I made one phone call and very quickly found myself with a porch full of people to help. The water district was here in minutes, 3 plumbers were on their way and another 3 people that were at the ready to help. It was the end of the day, dinner time, so anyone of them could have easily had an excuse but they stayed and made sure it was fixed ensuring the building had water so I could continue with the watering schedule and try to save our olive trees. I am so incredulous to and for this community and the lovely people within it.

This experience reiterated my strong desire to celebrate US, all of us, through Stories of Borrego. I have been hard focused on reclaiming this building we all love to ensure it remains here for all of us to enjoy. I will post another 707 update in the next week or so.

While the actual building has been my primary focus, rest assured that I am dedicated to OUR stories, our history and that work is happening on that front. Many of you stop by our building, engage me at a restaurant or on social media to get updates or share your enthusiasm for building and the forthcoming Museum of Borrego. I enjoy sharing in that with you as it is OURS. Please continue to bring your stories and enthusiasm!! I am SO looking forward to revealing the very simple but tied to history logo for the Stories of Borrego (oral history) part of the museum, I will share it and those key updates very soon. I am so excited about this buildings future as well as preserving our communitys oral histories and presenting for us to enjoy together.

I LOVE THIS BUILDING

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:06:27 GMT

I LOVE THIS BUILDING. It has such wonderful features, each day she reveals herself a little more. There is pride in this reclamation. I will post more specifics on her restoration in a few days. Today, I celebrate Borego/Borrego and each of us that has been mesmerized by this wonderfully peculiar town. I want to know YOUR story.

When you are out and about today or enjoying the Circle of Art, come across the street, you are welcome to stop by and say hello. I’ll set chairs out around 10 so we can share with you some of the vision for this building, the museum, our events… AND I have some questions for you!

New Doors and Plumbing at 707 Christmas Circle

info@storiesofborrego.com (Mitzi Matijevich) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:27:14 GMT

707 Christmas Circle has certainly been the pot of gold for me! Yes, it is a LOT of work and over budget but I get great joy seeing this wonderful building returning. Sharing the vision and process with you has been such an unexpected gift.

Securing the Building and Restoring the Foundation for What’s Next

I have a great appreciation for the care and passion each of you have for this building and enjoy the stories you share. This isn’t a super sexy update with beautiful end result photos, it is more of the “unseen” series . The building was outright missing a door in the back and had partial doors on both back sides. There are now three new doors, which had to be special ordered as the door sizes were smaller when the building was constructed.

Thankfully, the building is now fully secured. The other “unseen” is that the plumbing was original iron and quite rusted, rotted and weeping. All has now been replaced which gives the feeling that we are moving forward and really getting things done… til I see all the holes in the walls! Luckily, I have the best crew who are committed to and enjoying the process as well as beginning their own Stories of Borrego. (This is only part of my dynamic team).

Borrego Springs 1978

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:37:18 GMT

Borrego Springs 1978

San Diego 101: Borrego Springs: San Diego’s Mid-Century Modern Desert Playground

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 17:45:26 GMT

stories-of-borrego

Museum of Borrego | Newsletter

Legacy in the Dust

A Story of Family, Frontier, and the Early Days of Borrego

About the Contributor

﻿

Alta DuVall: A Life Rooted in Borrego

A Story from 1896 to the Early Days of Borrego Springs

A Legacy of Education, Exploration, and Community

Artists in Borrego Springs

Stories from Borrego’s Creative Community

Art, People, and Place in Borrego Springs

Three Generations Deep

Luis’ Story at Rams Hill | by Colt Knedler

Pedaling Toward Opportunity

A Story of Endurance and Advocacy in Borrego Springs

Don't Freak Out!

Don’t freak out!! Don’t freak out!!

From The Desk | May 1st 2025

Stories of Borrego

Stories of Borrego Logo Installed

Updates From the Desk

Community...

I LOVE THIS BUILDING

New Doors and Plumbing at 707 Christmas Circle

Securing the Building and Restoring the Foundation for What’s Next

Borrego Springs 1978

Borrego Springs 1978

San Diego 101: Borrego Springs: San Diego’s Mid-Century Modern Desert Playground