We moved to Temecula in 1993 and it wasn't until we saw this plaque, in Old Town on Christmas Eve Day, that we actually ventured to explore this historic cemetery.

At this location, on December 24, 1907, Temecula Constable Preston Van Swanguen, knows as "Pres" by the folks in the small cattle town, was shot and killed while trying to break up a bar room brawl.

Swanguen left his home during Christmas Eve dinner with friends and family after getting word there was trouble at the bar. He entered the business unarmed and, after confronting the troublemakers, was shot dead by one of them.  The shooter was captured, tried, and sentenced to jail.

Swanguen was the first law enforcement officer in the history of Riverside County (EST. 1898) to be killed in the line of duty.

He is buried at the Temecula Public Cemetery. More about him below.

Louis Escallier, one of Temecula’s leading businessmen, grabbed at the gunman. Magee fired three more shots, killing Escallier. In the panic that followed, Magee ran out of the bar. A mob gave chase and caught the gunman, clubbing him over the head with a pool cue. Magee was tried and convicted for the death of the lawman and the businessman in a Riverside court and sentenced to life in prison at San Quentin. He spent 12 years there before being paroled. What a sad loss of two very important Temeculans.

The Welty's were big in Temecula. R.J. Welty built a store and a hotel here in the 1890s. The Welty Store was used as a general mercantile and had rooms upstairs for rent. In addition, Joe Winkels operated his famous “Ramona Inn” here. From 1908 until 1933, while most of Riverside County was dry, Winkels offered “refreshments,” pool tables, card games and even slot machines. From what I've read Mr. Winkels was a bit of a troublemaker, too.

The oldest grave was that of George W. Brown who was laid to rest here on 3 Sep 1894 (aged 67). His gravestone reads, "A Native of Nova Scotia...Not Dead but Sleepeth".