Carlsbad Time Lines
Q1 2026 Carlsbad, California, Historical Society
Presidents’ letter
It’s with heavy hearts we report that two of our longest members have passed. Marge Howard Jones, in December 2025, and Joan Kindle, January 2026. Both of these women were pillars of the Carlsbad Historical Society; their knowledge, and dedication to enhancing the understanding and preservation of Carlsbad history were exemplary. Coincidentally both were Carlsbad Citizen’s of the Year; Marge in 1982 and Joan and Alan in 1995. Both will be missed.
Magee Park is undergoing building ” refreshment”, as the city crews are steadily working their way to paint touchups and new signage.
Thank you Majka Penner for your stewardship in making this happen.
We welcome a new board member Wendy Hinman. I’m sure many of you have read Wendy’s articles in the Carlsbad Magazine. They are always community oriented, and informative articles.
Wendy and her family are long time Carlsbadians, and involved in many community organizations. We are so happy to welcome her as part of the board of directors.
Marjorie (Mayers) Howard-Jones at the Shipley-Magee House
Our Memories of Marge by Sue Gutierrez
“We created our own fun” and Marge’s life was certainly testament to that statement. Her adventuresome spirit was always engaged in learning new things and following her interests; through reading, learning new technology, gardening, yoga, dining out at new places, and of course her love of history. Some might call her activities work, Marge called it fun, a chance to enjoy her friendships, with an activity she loved and good conversation.
Marge often said: "What’s new?" If you knew Marge, and happened to speak to her often, what you normally heard was “What’s new?” It wasn’t just a casual social question, but rather a personal one of genuine interest. It could mean what’s new with you, or in town or what have you read recently. Marge was one of those people who constantly searched for information, never stagnant in her thinking, always looking for the newest in technology, society, and in her friendships. Inquisitiveness was a way of life.
Her curiosity was reflected in a wide ranging interest in people and their life experiences. Her diverse group of friends always created interesting and fun get-togethers that combined her love of conversation as well as community spirit, through her legendary Christmas wreath making parties and tree decorating, public gardening or organizing history tours. Everyone was welcome, and everyone was appreciated.
She was involved in many organizations, and stood firmly and steadfastly supporting what she believed in and she stood behind, never backing down from her interest and beliefs in order to fit with the status quo.
Not one to shirk her interests, Marge dug into the soil with gusto, organizing the arboretum group in digging and planting native plants at the Carlsbad Historical Society Museum, creating an interpretive garden of local and commercial plants. Equally engaged in organizing third grade historic walking tours, and by documenting historic photo archives for the Carlsbad City Library history collection. Writing articles and organizing archival material Marge followed her passion for local history.
Marge lived by her own set of rules, never letting society dictate her lifestyle or forcing her to compromise her beliefs. A true example and role model, an unwavering friend, and someone who will be truly missed.
Marge and Don Miller
Memories of Marge by Wendy Hinman
I met Marge when I was five. She was one of those surrogate parents on the periphery of our play. Her daughter Patty and I went to Magnolia together and immediately moved in the same circles because we were both tomboys who’d rather play sports than dolls. And because Greg Goddard had a kindergarten crush on both of us.
By the time Patty and I were in high school, she and I had been on a lot of teams together and we had both been dragged along by our mothers to whatever they were volunteering for. We took our parents for granted, but at the same time their background presence made us feel safe, nurtured and significant.
When my mom excitedly brought home “Seekers of the Spring” fresh off the press and showed it to me, her history nerd child, I dove in. Seeing the author’s name, Marge Howard Jones on the cover, I felt two things. First was, of course, it made perfect sense that she would write this book. Second, how cool it was that I knew a living historian.
After college, marriage, kids, and the start of Carlsbad Magazine, Marge became one of my reference people when I was writing history. Now in an adult to adult relationship, I still never felt her peer. Marge had a quiet, magnetic personality. She was invaluable in leading me to sources. Marge understood history with a poetic mind. She spoke history with gravitas and humor.
How I will miss all she spoke through her eyes, her measured words. I will miss sitting elbow to elbow with our coffee, talking about Californios, land developers (positive and negative), ranunculus, bird-of-paradise, surfers, ranchers, city councils and basketball games. Marge knew how to “tell it slant” as Emily Dickenson said. She made us see the world in ways bigger than ourselves.
Marge celebrating life
Memories of Marge by Sue Ladouceur
There is an empty hole in my life without Marge. The years of Weekly visits and caring for her and sharing our lives. She was truly the Grande Dame of Carlsbad. Historian, writer, brilliant mind and an embrace and commitment for integrity and goodness. One to look up to and emulate and also someone to enjoy. Especially in our earlier years together! Her dinner parties with fabulous gourmet food. Her own effort to be an artist; her travels all over the world. Her 3 girls and many more grand kids and now 4 great grandkids. Her life was rich and long and in her later years she found the love of her life, Don, and the joy that brought her was a real blessing to witness. Her love and knowledge of nature was mind boggling, latin names and all. And her instinct in creating gardens that not only bloomed but were placed with loving care. She always dresses in bright colors, joyful colors! She got rid of clutter late in her life yet still played classical music filling her rooms from dawn to dusk. Still tended her garden, watering her precious plants and feeding her visitor birds with appreciation. And read 2-3 newspapers daily and kept up with the local scene, some of it to protest the destroying of our quaint charming village and trying to keep the historic architecture as part of our beginnings alive and well. Respect for history was always an important creed to our Marge. We all can learn from history teaching us the values of our past. She worked hard with the Historical Society, the Magee House and Park and all the other historic buildings that are now a part of our history to be honored and preserved. She along with Sue and Germán Gutierrez and the Historical Society, the Carrillo Ranch and Sarah Kelley, the Barrio and the original family of Lola’s all contribute to Carlsbad’s beginnings.
Marge’s life as mother of 3 daughters and many grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren has been 99 years of a life well lived. From her joy of nature and travel and the arts to the importance of history in respect for beginnings. Her constant quest for learning and being aware of the world around her and her own commitment to keeping the world a place for mankind to have equal opportunities for all! She began her early years as a teacher and told me that she brought a tiny music box into the classroom that she would play when her students were working diligently and had found success in a day's learning. The music box played as a reward! And I for one found her music reward a perfect gift for all her treasured students.
I am only a friend who knew her for close to 40 years. It wasn’t until I retired that I got to see her weekly and work with her on the inventory at the Magee House, and as a friend visited her weekly hearing stories of trips, and books read and politics and people and family. Shared love of nature and the arts. I feel blessed to have called her friend. I spend my days now remembering that I must tell her a new story of the world’s chaos, an article read, local lore or family fun or sunsets to linger over! 99 years of living! Bravo, Marge! You are missed. Your memory will be always treasured and be a blessing. I hope there is a music box playing just for you.
Memorial Service
The Crossings, April 14, 2026 at 11 am
Joan Kindle Co-Founder of The Friends of Carrillo Ranch and Advocate of Carrillo Ranch Development
Joan Kindle
Joan and her husband Alan retired to Carlsbad in 1985, and immediately became strong advocates of preserving and sharing Carlsbad history. They joined the Carlsbad Historical Society in 1986, and were some of our first museum docents, opening the museum each Sunday and welcoming visitors. They contributed to creation of photo displays, and layout of various pieces of historic interest.
As founding members of the “Friends of Carrillo Ranch, a 501c non profit, Alan and Joan were successful in having the Carrillo Ranch park developed, placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and as a California Historic landmark. Together, they created an historic archive of photos, movies, and furniture from Leo Carrillo’s time. They also contributed to creation of a 4th grade school curriculum using grant funding for implementation.
Married 62 years at the time of Alan’s death in 2011, It was their commitment to each other, their family and their adopted city that left a lasting legacy.
Memorial Service- at this posting unknown time or date
Collaboration with the Army Navy Academy
Edwin Cruz, Video Production Instructor at the Army Navy Academy will be facilitating several student groups interested in video documenting Carlsbad history, and our town for broadcast to their Army Navy Academy families and the school archives. First recording on January 28, 2026 focused on Magee House, the historical society museum and the town founding.
Meetings- All members are welcome
Meetings are regularly scheduled every quarter, beginning February, the third Monday of the scheduled month at 4 pm in the Magee House meeting room. You can confirm the meeting by sending us an email as illness or travel might mean a change of plan.
Dates
2/16/26 5/18/26
8/17/26 11/18/26
10/19/26 Annual/Holiday TBD
Thank You Ken Langen
For your years on the board of directors, spearheading the Carlsbad Artifact t-shirts- creating the slogan and silk screened each T Shirt. Adding musical interest to our programs, and school tours, volunteering as a museum docent and working on membership. All of your efforts are much appreciated, and we will miss you.
New book on sale
The author of “In a Garden by the Sea: a story of Luther and Olive Gage” by Jo Ellen Guthrie were generously donated to the Carlsbad Historical Society and are available for purchase at Magee House. For $20 one of these wonderfully informative books signed by the author can be yours! They also make lovely gifts. All proceeds from the sale will go towards the floriculture display.
Thank you Jo Ellen!
John Kelly on the Bad Treatment of Native Americans
“There is another matter in connection with the Indians of San Diego County that I do feel competent to at least express my opinion of. That is the terribly inhuman, dishonest and disgusting way in which some of the Indian tribes of this county have been treated by the white people and the U.S. Government. Many of us old settlers well remember how the Indians of the beautiful San Pasqual Valley were driven from their homes in the fertile valley of that name where they and their ancestors before them had lived for many generations. Simply because there had never been a reservation surveyed off for those Indians, they were driven from their homes.”
LIFE on a SAN DIEGO COUNTY RANCH, By JOHN L. KELLY, Chapter XII
Brief Account of the Decimation of the Chumash Nation
It turns out that first contact with the European pandemics did not take place for the West Coast First People until the Spanish "Sacred Mission” of 1769 started its occupation and “conversion” in (Alta) California. The results were horrific. The Chumash Nation, for example went from 50,000 people to a few thousand. The main diseases were measles, smallpox and influenza. It is estimated that when so many members of a culture die, and maybe mostly the elders, the knowhow of this culture is forever lost. Plus they did not have many written or graphical records.
There is a beautiful origin story about the Chumash. They believe that they came from the Pacific Ocean. Turns out that they probably did! New DNA evidence is proving without a doubt that the theory of migration through the Bering Straits must be wrong by several thousands of years. It is more logical to see that the easier way to the American continent was by following the coast. This also provided a constant supply of food! Coastal caves in Oregon and near Diablo Canyon in California have remains that are much older than the opening of the inland passage in Alaska, as the ice melted.
Chumash travelled to the Channel Islands.
February is Black History Month
Did you know that Julian was founded by Black Pioneers that came out West after the Civil War.
Did you know about Nathan Harrison, born a slave, who came out West and settled as a hermit in Palomar Mountain? There is a trail that bears his name.
Nathan Harrison
Carlsbad Historical Society
258 Beech Ave. Carlsbad CA 92008
(442) 500-4471
www.carlsbadhistoricalsociety.com
*Open Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm
*Private Tours by appointment
*School, Scouts and Families welcome
