Our Ancient Grove of Oaks

Maria giggled as Jose snuggled close to kiss her neck.

“Stop now, I’m serious,” she scolded him. “I don’t believe my father’s ready for this. Perhaps we should wait.”

“No, mi amor,” Jose responded. “I shall ask for his blessing today. I can wait no longer.”

Later that afternoon, as Don Juarez arrived home after a day of overseeing the needs of his rancho, Jose inched his way forward.

“Don Juarez, sir, I was wondering if, if … I was thinking perhaps that maybe, just maybe, I could have your blessing for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Don Juarez squinted and gave Jose a long stare. He then turned to his daughter where he had noticed her peeking from the shadows. His face became stern and he turned back to Jose.

“No! Absolutely not!” he retorted loudly. Before Jose could respond, Don Juarez swiveled and stomped off. “And that’s final!” he yelled.

Later that evening, Jose and Maria gathered the belongings they would need to flee. They would run away and elope despite her father’s decision. In the wee hours of the morning they left the rancho and disappeared into the darkness.

As the first rooster began to crow, a banging came on the bedroom door of Don Juarez. His ranch hand delivered the news of the young lovers’ departure. The Don’s reaction was swift. He leapt from his bed and nearly ripped the door from its hinges as he burst forth. He made a beeline for his stable, mounted his fastest horse and was off in a cloud of dust.

Don Juarez was an experienced tracker and he easily followed their trail where it ended at a large grove of ancient oaks. He dismounted his horse and headed into the shadows beneath the looming trees. There he came upon the two, laughing together without a care in the world – until Maria saw her father and let out a terrifying scream. Without hesitation, Don Juarez bounded toward Jose, who scrambled to his feet. Taking great strides, the Don pulled a large blade from its scabbard and, with his daughter’s cries filling the air, plunged his sword deep into the chest of her lover. Jose crumpled to the ground and breathed his last breath.

This incredible story is that of a legend that was shared in the pages of the Los Angeles Daily Herald on Sunday, Oct. 17, 1886. It was a tale of the lore behind the ancient grove of oaks we now call Sunland Park. These events were purported to have taken place many decades before the printing. I must admit that I’ve added the names (as those did not travel well through time) and some colorful details and dialogue, but the story is essentially the same. The purpose of the newspaper article was to announce the founding of Monte Vista, declaring it the most delightful place on the California coast. But before the century was out the name was changed to Sunland.

In addition to this scene of murder, the Herald also told of the notorious Mexican bandits Tiburcio Vasquez and Joaquin Murrieta who rendezvoused under these trees. It stated the pair buried great sums of money in the grove and it remains there still.

The old adage, “Don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers” comes to mind but who really knows what unimaginable things may have happened in our distant past? I can tell you unequivocally that the history of Sunland Park is really quite amazing even if these two tales are forged by imagination. There is a reason why this ancient grove is situated where it is and it has most likely thrived for thousands of years. It can’t be proven but I believe it’s likely that indigenous Tongva peoples congregated there to gather the acorns they would need for their sustenance.

Much more in two weeks about this truly historical place.