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14 | THE COLONY NEWS | MAY 2023 | OUTREACH TO HISTORY By Lennie Martin Sixteen Colony residents joined a tour of historic Murrieta led by Jeffery Harmon, President of the Murrieta Valley Historical Society. We were two-thirds of the group, meeting in Hunt House on Juniper Street, home of the Murrieta Museum, which was donated by Inez Hunt in 1956 as a Town Hall and park. Jeffery led us along Juniper Street to see the Doolittle House, the first house built in Murrieta (1885) and its oldest surviving structure. Doolittle created Murrieta's first subdivision, 24 lots along Washington, Juniper and C Street. The house was built from a kit, put together in 10 days and "looked like it." Renovated in 1973, it's now a private residence. On Washington Street we saw Ray's Murrieta Cafe with its iconic portico. A house built next to it (1885) had been bought by the Lakemans in 1903, and in 1909 they built a confectionery store, called the Lakeman Lunch Room, which became a popular stopping off place on the Inland Highway (Los Angeles to San Diego). In 1924 Henry Eilers bought it, renamed it Henry's Place, and it operated until 1950. Local musician Ray Bezanson bought it in 1953, when it became Ray's Murrieta Cafe. Closed in 2006, the buildings had deteriorated over time. The 135-year-old house was demolished in 2022. Locals hope to preserve the cafe. Across the street is the A. K. Small Building, which was home to several businesses. Albert K. Small and Henry Thompson built the General Store (1909), which became a town landmark with offices for the Grain Elevator Company, post office, and courtroom until the mid-1970s. Bought by George Burnham (1922) and renamed the Burnham Store, it now houses Vista Donuts. The historic post office (1940) at the corner of C Street and the Hamilton House (1925) were built by Jack Hamilton. This Dutch Colonial home is well-maintained with garden and ornate iron fence. The Murrieta Machine Shop on C Street serviced autos for over 50 years. The Murrieta Museum is a treasure offering frequent programs. It's a gem on our back doorstep! For a complete copy of this abbreviated article, contact Lennie Martin at lenniem07@yahoo.com or 503-269-9987. RESIDENTS TOUR HISTORIC MURRIETA Back: Sunny & Brad Hilliker, Scott Christiansen, Daryl Hansen, Zelina Barker, Stefan & Gloria Carroll, Lynn Smith, John Payne; Front: Jeffery Harmon, Patti Christiansen, Joyce Hansen, Lennie Martin, Jo Ann Tonet, Jan Foster, Linda Traylor, Jane Payne Ray's Murrieta Cafe, 2023 • Inset c. 1953 AK Small Store, 2023 • Inset c. 1909