A Message from CVHS Co-Presidents
Jane Chaney and Cherie Ohlson
It has been a busy few months for the Society.
The opening weekend March 7-8 of the Society’s latest exhibit, Carmel Valley Little League: More Than Just a Ball Game! was a lot of fun. Over 200 Carmel Valleyites enjoyed a trip down memory lane along with a hot dog and lemonade. We hope you will stop by the History Center “ballpark” if you were unable to make the opening or if you want to further delve into this amazing exhibit.
At our Annual Meeting in April, the 50 attendees voted Anna Williams to the Board of Directors. Cherie Ohlson and Dave Terdy were elected again to three-year terms as Co-President and Treasurer, respectively. Anna’s nostalgic talk about the Robles del Rio Lodge and Ridge Restaurant was greatly enjoyed as the reception was following her talk.
The annual Docent Refresher brought together our volunteers for an update about best practices. Our ranching themed booth at the annual Carmel Valley Garden Show was especially popular this year. Over 220 visitors stopped by and many shared their memories of Valley history.
Thank you for your continuing support and we look forward to seeing you at the History Center Museum any Saturday or Sunday, 1-4.
Our mission to preserve and showcase Carmel Valley history relies on donations from our members. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members for their continued support in our efforts to preserve and share Carmel Valley history. If you are not yet a member, please click here to find out more.
A Hidden Gem in the Valley
The Carmel Valley Tennis Camp
by Jeff Ohlson, CVHS Historian
Carmel Valley is home to one of the best camps for pre-teen and teenage girls & boys in California – namely the Carmel Valley Tennis Camp (CVTC). Its entrance off Cachagua Road is shown below.
Although not widely known by Carmel Valleyites, the Camp matches its competitors in popularity – offering expert tennis training for beginning or advanced players from all over the world at an affordable cost as well as many more activities. One of its six tennis courts is shown in the photo below.
The campers’ dormitory with each room having its own bunk beds, shower, and toilet facilities is shown in photo below. Adjacent to the dorm is a dining hall and counselor accommodations. Also on site is a swimming pool, archery range, as well as miles of hiking trails nearby. Community friendly, CVTC has provided Cachagua residents with jobs as well as local children with their first jobs.
Susan and Steve have extensive backgrounds as players, teachers, and coaches and are well suited for this ambitious undertaking. They are shown below with their co-owner daughter Aimee who helps with camp operations in the summers when away from her teaching job in Italy.
CVTC is nestled into a 38-acre tract just off the Cachagua Road next to its namesake Cachagua Creek just a few miles west of the intersection between the Tassajara and Cachagua Roads. Oldtimers recall that the property used to be a plum orchard.
One of the buildings at the Camp is an old, converted schoolhouse that is now used as a multi-function facility (see arrow in photo below).
The owner’s residence is pictured on the left of the photo.
There is also an old hand-dug windmill on the site, still partially visible from Cachagua Road, that is no longer functional (see photo below).
Celebrating Women’s History Month
2026 Annual Meeting a Huge Success!
by Jeff Ohlson, CVHS Historian
A fun and informative time was had by all 50 attendees at our 2026 Annual Meeting. A spit-polished History Center greeted everyone, even the HC’s hedges and trees got a good trimming for the occasion! After our directors reported on the state of the Society’s finances and operations, all attendees enjoyed Anna William’s nostalgic walk down memory lane talk on the Robles del Rio Lodge and Ridge restaurant (see photos below). All then adjourned for refreshments and visited clamorously with old friends.
News From the Barn
Postcards from the Past
Click above for slideshow
These period postcards come from local Carmel Valley businesses, with iconic photos or artful renderings printed on them, representing a time capsule of Carmel Valley history. They are also helpful to historians and researchers of local history in validating dates and places.
1983 Carmel Valley Viticultural Area Map
Click image for larger
Other than for its ranching, farming, and fruit orchards, Carmel Valley is also recognized for its ideal grape-growing climate. To officially support this claim, the Society has recently been donated the official 1983 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms “Carmel Valley Viticultural Area” map along with its documentation by David Armanasco who was Durney Vineyards General Manager.
Shown here (left to right) are Jack Galante of Galante Vineyards, Michael Armanasco, David Armanasco, Kim Williams, and CVHS Co-Presidents Jane Chaney and Cherie Ohlson, in the History Center’s Main Gallery April 2026 (photo by Jeff Ohlson).
The smaller poster on the left explains in technical terms how the Viticultural Area was established while the larger map on the right geographically shows its approximate 19,200- acre area.
The CVHS Exhibit Committee plans to mount an exhibit about the early vineyards & wineries of Carmel Valley and these two framed pieces will anchor the yet to be defined future exhibit.
Upcoming Event
SAVE the DATE: Teague-Swanson Talk July 18
Donald Teague
“Vaqueros Moving Camp” by Jack Swanson
“Vaqueros Moving Camp” by Jack Swanson
Donald Teague
(Click images for larger)
A Presentation by Scott Gale with Kris Swanson
Donald Teague & Jack Swanson
Carmel Valley History Center
Saturday, July 18, 3:30
Join Scott Gale and Kris Swanson for an image-rich presentation that traces the life and career histories of these fascinating men who created amazing Western art. Jack Swanson and Donald Teague became close friends after meeting in Carmel in 1950.
Swanson, an expert horseman, provided feedback to Teague regarding the accuracy of his western illustrations. Teague taught Swanson artistic values and composition in oil painting.
Scott Gale is Donald Teague’s biological grandson and a board member with the Monterey History & Art Association.
Kris Swanson, Jack Swanson’s daughter and noted sculptor, will share fascinating information about lesser-known paintings created by her father.
Financial Contributions
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
Membership Donations
Marla & Frederick Anderson, Vincent Arcaro, Carol Arana, Patty Armstrong, Cynthia Arthurs, Thomas Augustitus, Suzanne Bohan-Thompson, Alex Brant, Demi & Richard Briscoe, Florence Buchenroth, Anne Burleigh, Elizabeth Bush, Harriet & Larry Busick, Alan Crockett, Laura Curtis, Hank Dormody, Dave Dorrance, Steve Dorrance, Richard Evans, Cynthia Fellows, Margo Fuselier, John Galante, Wendy Geiger & John Card, Desiree Gillingham, Kathleen Gooden, Bill Goodwin, Carolyn & Richard Gray, Robert Gularte, Susan & Boyd Haight, Julia Harvey, Sophie Hauville, David Hurwitz, Don Leach, Judith & William Leavelle-King, Lucinda Lloyd, Joseph MacDonald, Robin Merrill, Debbie & David Morris, Selene Ogden & Siddhartha Hamilton, Patricia Porter-Taylor, Joy & Melvin Pritchard, Inger Ramskov, Susan Reeder & Steve Proulx, Brenda & Alison Reese, Fawn Remington, Katherine Reneker, Lorraine & Richard Ring, Marilyn Rose, Lynn Sakasagawa, Suzanne Sanders-Shaw, Sandy Schachter & David Burbidge, Wendy & David Simpson, John Staley, Richard Stone, Cindy and Mike Thatcher, Karen & Paul Turner, Charles Wahle, Christine & Kim Williams, Mike Williams
Documents, Photos, Artifacts, Etc.
Kathy Simpson: Tularcitos class photos from 1970-1974, Carmel Valley News from Feb. 14, 1958, Carmel High School music and graduation programs, Carmel High School decals.
Elizabeth Hoover: Deputy Marshal vest for Carmel Valley Ranchers Days with a marshal badge.
Jane Chaney: colorized panoramic postcard of the camping area at Tassajara Hot Springs.
Dave Lyon: collection of 1960s and 1970s Carmel Valley Echoes published by residents of Carmel Valley Manor.
Jymi Friday: three scrapbooks from parents, Louise and Terry Bishop, showing Carmel Valley in the 1940s and 1950s.
David Armanasco: map and documentation creating the Carmel Valley Viticultural Area in 1983.
The Carmel Valley Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in 1987 and incorporated in 1988 in Califronia.
The future of our Society depends upon memberships and contributions from our community. Membership dues cover ongoing expenses such as archival preservation, exhibits, computing, and building maintenance. Please consider contributing to the Historical Society today!
Jane Chaney, Co-President
Cherie Ohlson, Co-President
Jeff Ohlson, Vice President
Dave Terdy, Treasurer
Robin Sutherlin, Secretary
Anna Williams, Director at Large
Ellsworth Gregory, Member Emeritus
HISTORIANS
Jeff Ohlson
Elizabeth Barratt, Emerita
NEWSLETTER
Jane Chaney, Co-Editor
Anna Williams, Co-Editor