2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Julian Historical Society

Julian Historical Society

The mission of the Julian Historical Society is to provide area residents with insights into the history of this colorful, gold-mining community. Although it is not an adjunct of the Julian Museum, the society cooperates with it, according to long-time member Jan Mateus. It has about 150 members.

This year’s officers are Pres. Peter Carolson, Vice President Bob Adam, Treasuruer John Mateus, Secretary Don Garrett, Program Chairman Dick Hobson and directors Jan Mateus, Gale Lutz, Warren Hildreth, Diana Garrett (editor of the club newsletter) and Back Stage Chairman Steve Hall.

The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Women’s Club on C Street. The board meets on the second Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Meetings often include a speaker or a slide show or a “pioneer talk” by a local expert.

The group also advises the local Architectural Review Board, which is tasked with keeping the architecture of buildings in the village area of Julian within the historical bounds allowed.

The Historical Society is descended institutionally from the Pioneer Ass'n. of years ago and formed in the 1960s. It is partially funded from TOT (hotel tax) funds and partially self funded through the sales of historical medallions and through events such as trips to visit the steam train at Campo.

The society helped to restore the Witch Creek School in the 1970s and purchased and still operates as a historical site the Walsh gold mine. Visitors can’t go down into the shaft but they can see what an historical goldmine looked during the heyday of the Julian Gold Rush and see mining equipment from the 1870s and 80s.

In the 1990s the society began its bronze plaque project of installing bronze plaques at historical landmarks throughout the town. So far the society has installed 16 plaques, two or three a year.

In 1990 the society was asked to restore the old Julian Jail. The finished project was dedicated in 1996. Now they maintain the jail and keep it clean. The jail is a cement structure with two cells and was the first jail in the county to have indoor toilets.

Another restoration project is the first motorized stage to operate in the county. This 1912 Mack Stage (or bus) held 16 passengers. Years ago the society learned that an area resident had the parts of the stage, and that pictures existed of what the stage looked like at the time it was operating. Using the pictures the society has been restoring the vehicle and they are building a garage to house it.

Once they get the Mack Stage done, the society will begin restoration of a 30-foot-long Cadillac bus, which was the next generation of buses.

Members also give talks at the schools once a year and provide scholarships to two eighth graders each year.

You can contact the Julian Historical Society by calling 765-0436 or writing to P.O. Box 249, Julian CA. 92036.