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COMMITTEE NEWS | THE COLONY NEWS | FEBRUARY 2022 | 17 Early History of The Colony at California Oaks The land that is now The Colony at California Oaks was used for cattle ranching by the Walter L. Vail family for over 60 years. In 1964, the family sold the 87,000 acre ranch to the Kaiser Steel Company, which master- planned the Rancho California communities which became the cities of Temecula and Murrieta. California Oaks was one part of this master-planned community, covering 2,005 acres and providing homes for over 9,000 families (Southern California Homes For Sale, August, 1989). There were 15 neighborhoods in the California Oaks development, two in what is now The Colony at California Oaks: "The Colony" by Crowell-David Development Group, and "Brock Homes in The Colony" by Brock Homes (Division of The Ryland Group). Five parks were planned with 200 acres left natural, and 205 acres were designated for commercial establishments. "Exceptional living" for all ages was promised in the 1989 booklet. Older residents were offered a retirement neighborhood on 420 acres with 1,649 homes planned, an 18- hole golf course, clubhouse and activities center. Younger families could expect three elementary schools situated adjacent to scenic parks. Construction of homes began in fall 1988, with the first houses built by early 1989. The Colony started with wide open spaces "out" in unincorporated Riverside County. When completed it was in the City of Murrieta and had come a long way from acres of dirt to what we enjoy today. Many thanks to members of the Golf Club for being stewards of a treasure trove of early photos. OUTREACH TO HISTORY By Janet Houde, 408-893-6107 and Lennie Martin, 503-269-9987 April 1991: It was home, sweet homes with green grass and a Clubhouse July 1988: Lots of dirt January 1989: Houses began to pop up but still lots of dirt