History of Lot 97

Lot 97, that portion of the Rancho Santa Ysabel that will later be developed as Spanish Lakes, is shown on the Santa Ysabel Plot Map as a 263.29-acre parcel with 2 main streams crossing from East to West, then North (along what is now S. River Road) and eventually into the Salinas River. These streams were later dammed up to form the lakes currently existing in the Spanish Lakes Development. This map also shows the Warm Sulfur Spring and a Cold Spring on adjacent Lot 98, currently the Santa Ysabel Ranch Development.

Lot 97 is described in the West Coast Land Co. sales brochure as follows:

268.29 acres, level and gently rolling and rolling hills, one half tillable land, scattering oak, 3 miles from Templeton and Paso Robles.

The 5-acre discrepancy between the subdivision map and the sales brochure text is probably a text typo. Local Historian Harold Al Franklin indicates that this ranch area has been known as the Estudillo (Sp?) Ranch, further research is needed to attempt to clarify the ownership record between 1889 and 1913. The following Lot 97 property ownerships following the West Coast Land Co. are identified to date; Willot, TBD, Spurrier, Christy, Parkinson, Smith, Casteel, Kropp, Anderson, Reichel and Los Amigos, as detailed below:

Peter R. Willot (1889 – ??)

Peter R. Willot, from Dixon, Solano County, purchased Lot 97, from the West Coast Land Co. on 27 Feb. 1889 as recorded in Book of Deeds 5, Page 55. The Deed identifies the parcel size as 268.29 Acres and the purchase price as $4000. (that is about $15 per Acre; equating to $367 per Acre using the Consumer Price Index or $1820 using the Unskilled Wages Index, in 2010 dollars) The information on the transfer of Lot 97 from Willot has not yet been determined. Reference: Carpenters’ Index, Volume S-Z, History Center of SLO County

Geo. F. Spurrier (1897?? – 1913)

The information on the acquisition of Lot 97 by Spurrier has not yet been determined. Since the 1913 sale transfer Deed mentioned below, identifies Florence Keagle Spurrier as a party to the sale, it might be assumed that the acquisition of Lot 97 was after the marriage date also noted below. George Spurrier, born 19 Aug. 1852 in Ohio, attended Stockton Business College before moving to the Paso Robles area, where he obtained work as a farm hand (his parents had operated farms in Ohio and Wisconsin). George moved up and in 1883 assumed charge of the nearly eighteen thousand acre Santa Ysabel Ranch and its six thousand sheep. In 1886 George Spurrier began a career in land surveying and is one of the surveyors laying out the original Paso Robles Town site. An advertisement in the 19 Sept.1889 Paso Robles weekly newspaper “The Moon” solicits commissions for Surveyor Geo. F. Spurrier. In 1896 he became the manager of the Farmers’ Alliance and operated their warehouse in Paso Robles for six years. His spouse Maggie E. died on 28 Oct.1896. He married Florence Keagle on 31 Dec. 1897, who died 24 Apr.1943. George Spurrier died on 11 Aug.1941. All three are buried at the Paso Robles District Cemetery. The Paso Robles Historical Resources Inventory lists George Spurrier’s home on 280 Oak Street , built in 1890, as an item of interest. On 16 April 1913 lot 97 was deeded from Geo. F. and Florence K. Spurrier to Samual W. Christiy (Book of Deeds 96, Page 422). Reference: Jame Miller Guinn: History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coastal Counties – eBook

W. K. & Carrie Parkinson, 1917 – 1937

A grant Deed (5/288) dated 11 August 1925 transfers lot 97 and portion of lot 76 to the Title Insurance and Trust Co. On 1 July 1935 there is a Quit Claim Deed by the Trust Co. back to Parkinson (168/358). On 6 April 1937 Parkinson Deeds the property to William Frederick Smith (214/297). The notations (nnn/mmm) here and below, refer to Book number/Page number in SLO County Book of Official Records for records through 1992. Starting in 1993, records are identified by year-record number. These notations are kept in the text to assist any future research.

William F. Smith 1937 – 1946

Harold Al Franklin recalls the following details:

The Franklin family lived in the two farmsteads located near Creston Road. The ranch was rented from the Smith’s who resided in Los Angeles. Harold was born here and he and his 3 brothers (Don(ald), Al(fred) and Robert) and parents lived in the main residence near the Aermotor windmill (currently lots 50 and 49).

Harold’s mother was Hilda Claassen, a member of the local Claassen family that arrived from Germany, via Nebraska, in the Templeton area in 1896. Details of the Claassen family are described in the book “The End of the Line.”

In 1946 Harold’s dad, also Harold, purchased the neighboring Gillis ranch, a daughter Lonnie and son Roger were born there.

Harold’s grandmother lived in the other residence, located near the barn (currently lot 48). Both residences were, typical of the period (early 1900s), simple wooden structures that, especially during the winter, provided scant comfort against the cold winds.

A blacksmith shop, a necessity on practically all ranches, was also located there.

The below photos, generously provided by Harold Franklin, give a glimpse of the Franklin family and their farmstead in the early 1940s

This photo shows the main Franklin family residence, the windmill, the water tank and a shed that served as living quarters at various times.

The text with this photo reads:

“Carting a lazy calf in the wagon to the corral at the Smith Place in January 1943 photo. Harold Al Franklin is pulling the wagon while his father Harold holds the calf in place. Behind Harold Al is his brother Donald on the right and cousin Elaine Franklin on his left. Behind is Harold’s house with the chicken house to the right and the windmill and water tank. There was no electricity at this place. The outhouse is to the far left. Behind the windmill is a shed that was used as a bedroom by the Bears when Harold and Hilda moved there in 1937 and was rented out during WWII. Harold and Hilda moved from this place in June, 1946, to the Gillis Place.”

The text by this photo reads:

“Lots of horns are sticking up in this Oct. 1942 deer hunt in California and Nevada. KB Nelson’s pickup in the background took the hunters on their trip, Harold’s 36 Chevy coupe is in the back. Note the barn and shop by the back house on the Smith Place where Harold lived.”

The ranch was parceled off into various growing areas, apples, prunes, almonds, pears, peaches, and hay. A Prune Dipper structure existed towards the east property line, containing a brick furnace with kettle in which lye water was heated. Prunes would be soaked in the hot lye water to make the skins split after which they were placed onto 3 by 8 feet drying racks to dry in the sun to become full-fledged prunes.

Text to this photo reads:

“Harvesting in 1938. Wesley is driving the Model “M” tractor and Harold is sewing sacks on a 1936 model Allis Chalmers 5 foot cut Allcrop harvester. Now in partnership that lasted until 1962, they had traded in one of the two model “M” tractors and $1,600 dollars to E.C. Livingstone in Paso Robles for this rig. This harvester was used through the 1942 crop and then sold.”

The text to this photo reads:

“Hauling hay in the spring of 1938. The two hay wagons borrowed from Abe Claassen are being pulled by a Model “M” on the Smith Place as Harold and Wesley are hauling in hay. Hilda is on the load with a pitchfork helping to tramp down the loose hay. Wesley is closest in the front with Harold behind him spreading and tramping the hay they have just pitched up from the shocks on the ground. At the rear of both wagons can be seen shocks of hay waiting to be pitched up onto the wagons.”

Harold recalls that there were few if any deer on the property up to the early 1946s, but lots of coyotes (and as now, ground squirrels). SLO County encouraged the elimination of coyotes through a bounty program – with great success, resulting in a significant and rapid increase in the deer population. Hunting for deer on this property was common and Harold’s garage wall is still covered with the mounted trophy antlers.

Electricity was not connected to the farmsteads until 1948.

There is a deed dated 24 November 1945 (400/85) deeding the west 80 acres of lot 97 from Smith to Flora K. Hunter. The deed transferring Lot 97 from Smith to Casteel contains the clause “except west 80 acres deeded to Flora K. Hunter.” It is unclear how those 80 acres got returned to the initial lot 97 configurations for subsequent property transfers.

Clarence Casteel 1946 – 1958

William F. Smith deeded the property to Clarence Casteel on 18 December 1946 (433/301)

The John Casteel family arrived in this area in 1887 from San Bernardino and farmed several ranches here. Details are described in the book “The End of the Line.”

John Casteel’s son Clarence, after acquiring the lot 97 property in 1946, cleared the remaining almond and prune trees that by now were producing poorly and farmed barley grain.

Clarence Casteel deeded a strip of land to PG&E on 9 December 1953. This strip currently contains the PG&E high-tension power lines that separate the main Development from an approx. 3-acre, heavily wooded, triangular parcel in the South East corner.

There are two sets of power lines; one constructed in the 1950s is a 230kV line from Morro Bay to the Gates substation. The other, on the larger pylon structures, is a 500kV line from Diablo Canyon, was constructed in the 1970s and also connects to the Gates substation.

The Gates substation near Coalinga is used for power transmission to the Fresno and San Joaquin Valley areas. The Templeton substation, located on El Pomar Dr. is hooked into these lines providing power to the Templeton and Paso Robles areas.

On 1 September 1948 there is an Oil and Gas Lease Agreement between Casteel and the Universal Consolidated Oil Company (497/242) and a Quit Claim Deed for that agreement on 19 August 1949 (532/403). It is probable that oil exploration interest for this area increased after the 1947 discovery of the San Ardo oil field (20 miles north of Paso Robles).

A map from the California Division of Oil Resources shows 29 abandoned and plugged dry (did not strike recoverable oil) wells in this general area. Two recorded local wells are the “Casteel 1” and the “Stanford-Johnston 1” wells.

The “Casteel 1” well drilled by B&O Service in 1955 and is located near the southeast boundary of the lot 97 property. It was drilled to a depth of 2939 feet and produced only a “petroleum odor” below 794 feet.

The following marine deposited Geologic Formations were encountered while drilling:

• 0-600 feet, Paso Robles Formation (2 million years old)
• 600-950, Santa Margarita Formation (7 million years old)
• 950-2500, Monterey Formation (10 million years old)
• 2500-2850, Temblor Formation (12 million years old)
• 2850-2939, Vaqueros Formation (20 million years old)

This well was plugged with a cement core at 690 -720 feet and left to be used as a water well at the request of Casteel.

The “Stanford-Johnston 1” well is in what is now called the Franklin Pond area. It was drilled in May 1955 to a depth of 2339 feet and did not reach recoverable oil or gas. It was plugged at 770 – 1000 feet and left as an artesian well at the request of Harold Franklin.

That well currently maintains the warm water bath at the Franklin Pond area and overflows into a series of small lakes to eventually wind up in the North Lakes of the Spanish Lakes Development.

A second artesian well was drilled near the Stanford-Johnston well producing enough water to irrigate crops on both the Franklin as well as the Casteel Ranches. Excess water was channeled to form a small lake on the Franklin property before flowing into the South Lake of this development.

Nine historic wells have been identified on lot 97:

Two are actively feeding warm water to the North and South Lakes.Five are capped (two of them are on the PG&E parcel, one of these is the “Casteel 1” well). Of the above wells, only the “Casteel 1” well is known to have been specifically drilled for oil and converted to water, the others may have been drilled for oil and converted, or drilled specifically for artesian warm water – no documentation related to these wells has been located.The remaining two of the nine historic wells are an inactive fresh water well on lot 48 and a fresh water well by the windmill on lot 49.The fresh water well used to fill the concrete water tanks (see below), has not yet been located.

As related to water sources, Harold Franklin provided the following information:

“I might also mention that in the old days, there were several active springs on the property. There was a lot more water before the turn of the century. One will still see a lone cotton wood tree to the east all by itself on the hillside. That is a spring and one had to be careful not to get bogged down when farming in that area. On the north canyon there were several spots that I recall as a boy where in the wintertime and spring, I got a drink with my father from water running out of the bank. I do not believe there was enough water to flow water to the river, but the first settlers would “box in” those spots with boards and develop a source of water. I do not recall, but I would not be surprised that there was a shallow well and hand pump somewhere near the prune dipper. I think I recall my father mentioning it.”

John Kropp/Oakwood Property Ltd. 1958 – 1973

The property was deeded from Casteel to (father and son) John and Earl Kropp on 7 October 1958 (966/392).

The two board and batten homes on the property, the surrounding orchard and grounds were all in poor condition when the Kropp families moved to the ranch. After bulldozing and burning the derelict trees, hauling three truck loads of tin cans to the dump and thoroughly cleaning the homes, John and Fern Kropp moved into the two bedroom house and Earl and Evelyn Kropp plus their five kids (3 girls, 2 boys) moved into the 3 bedroom house (one more son was born there). The homes were eventually totally rebuilt from the studs up, but retained their one story structure. The 6 Kropp kids and their numerous cousins enjoyed the ranch and especially the marvelous swimming hole behind their home.

The Kropp’s created all three of the main reservoirs on the property in the 1950s and 60s

The South Lake, built first, contains the following inscription on its spillway:

The Middle North Lake dam and spillway were built next, the spillway appears to have been heightened later and no Kropp inscription exists there.

The Upper North Lake dam, was built last, its spillway contains the inscription:

The Lower North Lake was probably formed when the (dirt) roadway crossed the stream and a dam/culvert was constructed at that point.

The Kropps constructed the Lakes under a U.S. Conservation Program where farmers were paid to retain water runoff into ponds, thereby benefiting groundwater replenishment and any other potential benefits that could justify the Government’s expenditures.

The dams and spillways were designed and constructed by Earl Kropp, who by reading about the details of earth filled dams, plus design/construction suggestions from his Dad John, obtained not only enough knowledge to built his own, but also applied that knowledge to build numerous dams and ponds on neighboring farms for use as livestock ponds for watering cattle – especially beneficial during the dry months. One more well was drilled at this time, it is the artesian well located on lot 50, flowing (2008) at 150 gal./min. at 90° F. It was specifically drilled to provide water to the North lakes. At that time the flow rate was very high, perhaps highest in the County, and was difficult to cap . The initial water routing was directly to the North Lakes, Los Amigos Developers re-routed the water piping at a later date to discharge water into a neighboring lake to the East, thereby aerating the sulpherous water to some extent before it re-entered the Development.

Reference: Personal recollections of Marie Kropp Ritzel

The property was deeded to Oakwood Property Limited on 24 August 1966 (1414/551).

The dams and spillways were designed and constructed by Earl Kropp, who by reading about the details of earth filled dams, plus design/construction suggestions from his Dad John, obtained not only enough knowledge to built his own, but also applied that knowledge to build numerous dams and ponds on neighboring farms for use as livestock ponds for watering cattle – especially beneficial during the dry months. One more well was drilled at this time, it is the artesian well located on lot 50, flowing (2008) at 150 gal./min. at 90° F. It was specifically drilled to provide water to the North lakes. At that time the flow rate was very high, perhaps highest in the County, and was difficult to cap . The initial water routing was directly to the North Lakes, Los Amigos Developers re-routed the water piping at a later date to discharge water into a neighboring lake to the East, thereby aerating the sulpherous water to some extent before it re-entered the Development.

Reference: Personal recollections of Marie Kropp Ritzel

Luverne Anderson 1973 – 1976

Kropp deeded the property to Luverne Anderson on 8 December 1973, that Deed (1756/933) specifies Parcels 1,2,3 of Book A of Maps, Page 29. On 16 January 1974, Luverne Anderson requested a Parcel Map to be generated by Surveyor Daniel J. Stewart, which was recorded on 14 February 1975 in Book 17 of Parcel Maps, page 3. This map shows the original Lot 97 split into 3 parts, Parcel 1, 2 and 3. It also shows that portions of Lots 76 and 96 were added to gain access to Creston Road. Total acreage for this property is shown as 260.79 acres. The three main lakes on the property are identified as “Reservoirs.” The two North Lakes are connected and fed by a “Stream”, probably indicating continuous water flow, as opposed to the South Lake, which shows no stream feeding it, probably indicating that only a seasonal water source existed already at that time (1974). The stream shown on the map connecting the two North Lakes has since disappeared, due to the Park dam/spillway having been constructed, probably after 1978 during Reichel ownership period (see below), causing the stream to become a lake. There are thus currently three North Lakes, for convenience we’ll identify them as the Upper North Lake (part of Parcel1), the Middle North Lake (part of Parcel 2) and the Lower North Lake (also part of Parcel 2) The South Lake is shown on the 1975 map as part of Parcel 3.

Ralph & Bernard Reichel 1976 – 1998

On 30 October 1975 and 7 April 1976 Grant Deeds were issued from Luverne L. and Mary E. Anderson transferring the property to Ralph Reichel (1861/26), (1890/249).

Brothers Ralph and Bernard (Bernie) Reichel leased out the property to Harold Franklin’s brother Roger Franklin for barley grain farming and cattle grazing. The barley was used for animal feed and sold to Tom Jermin of Templeton Feed and Seed. The number of cattle kept on the parcel was low, about 80 head.

Harold Franklin provided the following as related to the barley farming in this area:

“About 1948 several malting barleys were introduced to our area and my father raised it for a couple years. Altas was the variety we raised. However, it was very susceptible to several common plant diseases carried by common aphids. It did poorly and did not meet the requirements needed for malting. This barley promised greater income as it sold for a higher price. But our soil nutrients and climate yielded barley that was not the correct range of protein for malting. Then again, about 1955 2-row barley, instead of the common 6- row barley was raised here, Hension was introduced that promised higher malting. But again it did not yield the right protein level. This barley is common in the cooler northern areas, like Montana and Wyoming. Beer barley sounds romantic but in reality, is a very specialized use of certain varieties.”

The Reichel’s also used the property as a get-a way for themselves and their many friends that would come over, especially on Memorial Day Weekend, to camp along the Upper Lakes. The visitors assisted in building the bridges during this timeframe.

Errol Robrberg of Paso Robles constructed two concrete water tanks in 1977, each 23 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep (approx. 3000 gallons each), located across the trail from the current water tanks. The water was pumped by a generator driven pump into the tanks from a well near the Middle North Lake. Water was piped to the several camping areas established around the Lower and Middle North Lakes.

The bridge by Lot 39 has a 3/17/88 date inscribed in its concrete foundation

A “lodge” and dock was built on the Lower North Lake; some guests caused it to burn down on an ill-timed visit – they had to drive to the fire station to raise the alarm. The “lodge” slab foundation remains in place.Bernie and his son were active with Troop II of the Santa Monica Boy Scouts. The scouts were invited annually to camp on the property and work on their merit badges, canoeing being one of the most popular.

The following information was received from Dan Stirling, after an enquiry was sent to Santa Monica Troop II:

“I am an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 2, and was a scout in the troop 1976-1982. I have many fond memories from times spent at what we called “Reichels’ Ranch.The troop first camped there in 1978, and to my dim recollection the creek had not yet been dammed to create the lakes. I think the dams were put in fairly soon thereafter, but I don’t recall returning as a scout.In the mid-’80s the troop started having a “family camp” every Memorial Day weekend. The scouts’ activities were mostly as with a regular campout, but the families were invited to come, camp separately, and enjoy each other’s company. The highlight of the weekend was a canoe regatta in two parts. For the first part the patrols took part in a variety of races including family members, and the next day the competition included only patrol members. Around 1997 or so Bernie put the land up for sale, and Troop 2 found another venue for the campouts.I think Bernie let a lot of friends camp out at the lake over the years. Otherwise I don’t know that there is much to tell. I have been trying to find old photos of Troop 2 and would be happy to share anything relevant, but unfortunately don’t have anything to send you at the moment.”

A rough landing strip was graded to accommodate the four-seater Cessna of a friend of Bernie’s. A number of blue oaks, the entire 100 yard length of that small draw, were cut at the west end so they did not form an obstacle for the runway. The metal pole used to attach the windsock is still embedded in the oak tree in front of lot 18 on Calle Patito.

In the early 1970s, a Texas friend of Bernie had the idea to develop Lot 97 as a golf course. A general plan was created including a poster, currently hanging on the wall of the York residence, with the course layout. The terrain was found to be too hilly, requiring extensive grading and the plan was eventually abandoned.

On 17 December 1993 a request by Bob Graham was submitted to the County to change the property’s Agricultural definition to Residential. The Graham General Plan shows Parcel 1 & 2 owned by Reichel and Parcel 3 by Graham – some other documentation refers to the Graham/Reichel Properties. In 1994 the County approved what is then called the Graham/Reichel General Plan.

The parcel 3 acquisition by Robert Graham from Reichel and the subsequent return of that parcel to Reichel has not been located in the County Records. There is a Modification of Deed of Trust dated 18 September 1991 that identifies Graham as the Grantor and Reichel as the Grantee (3755/83).

The Graham/Reichel Plan drawings show the location of the various buildings associated with the two residences near Creston Road mentioned above, at this time, one was rented out to the Pat Crawford family.

Harold Franklin relates the following regarding the family in the second residence:

“Roger Franklin (no relative of our family) had a dog kennel by the front house where he lived with his family. His specialty was training dogs for bird hunting. He used the south lake extensively to train retrievers for getting waterfowl from the open and brushy areas, training dogs for pointing and retrieving quail. In both of these classes he used decoys, not real duck and quail. He was a very good trainer and the dogs he had and those he trained were well recognized by those in that sport. This is a big competitive event and this area has a large group of men and women that meet regularly year round to compete with their dogs. They do not actually kill, but the dogs are judged on obedience, scent, sight and alertness to hand signals, holding point even with firing shotguns with blank rounds, etc. Roger moved his kennels and dog school from the Spanish Lakes property to east of Creston on La Panza Road.”

A permit for the demolition of the two residences was issued on 16 November 1999.

The Graham/Reichel Plan was never implemented, but looks similar to and appears to be the basis for, the Los Amigos Plan described below.

Los Amigos Development Corporation 1998 – 2005

On 27 August 1998 a Deed of Trust was issued from the Reichel’s to Douglas C. Filipponi (and others) for parcel 3 of Lot 97 and on 9 November for parcels 1 and 2 (Documents 1998056869 and 1998058523).

This group became known as the Los Amigos Development Corporation.