Anza-Borrego Art & History...

History is found everywhere.

I am drawn to National Monuments. This one has to be one of the more unique. It honors Peg Leg Smith, a "mountain man, prospector, and spinner of tall tales," who lived from 1801 to 1866. A Kentuckian who staggered West and never returned, Smith claimed he found pure gold nuggets in the Borrego Springs area. Peg Leg would tell anyone who'd listen about the fabulous wealth hidden in the hills. It was hidden because Peg Leg couldn't exactly remember where the mine was. He's a legend in this town and a relic from the mining days.

One of the most famous places to visit is Galleta Meadows Estate, a privately owned desert estate land that features over 130 large metal art sculptures, created by artist Ricardo Breceda. This menagerie of metal masterpieces was commissioned by the Estate owner Dennis Avery (heir to the Avery label fortune).

Galleta Meadows is unfenced and open to the public for visitation, including hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, photography, and bicycling every day of the year. And it is just plain awesome! A fabulous place to meander and be impressed.

I enjoyed the whimsy but I was really impressed by the historical depictions Mr. Breceda created. As we drove around the valley, we saw evidence of once vibrant vineyards.

We learned that in 1945, outside electrical service finally reached the valley through the efforts of Joseph DiGiorgio, a prominent Central California grape grower who needed power before beginning large-scale ranching here. In 1946, the DiGiorgio Fruit Corporation planted two thousand acres of vines in the valley and within a few years was shipping “early” grapes across the United States.

Perhaps this is Mr. DiGiorgio working his vines.

The newest installation was by Nery Gabriel Lemus. This temporary public monument was centered on individual stories of migration drawn from the residents of Borrego Springs, many of whom have close ties to Mexico. Working with students in the local school district, Lemus incorporated their personal stories into a ceramic-based sculpture that is meant to provide an expanded perspective on Borrego Springs and its stories. We were invited "in" to learn the tales. It was an interesting lesson found in the expanse of the desert. A surprise.