Program to Discuss Life of Menifee Wilson, Local Mining

Guests are invited to Saturday's meeting of the Menifee Valley Historical Association, which will include a presentation about the man after whom the city is named, in addition to a history of local mines in the area.

Researcher Bob Kent will discuss the life of Luther Menifee Wilson (left), his arrival in the area and involvement in local mining for gold and quartz in the late 1800s. A banner presentation will show information about the mines and mining tools will be on display.

Wilson, who was born in Kentucky in 1845, came to California to prospect for gold. He found enough gold and quartz in this area to lead to the construction of several mines and had a large ranch in the area. The community eventually became known as Menifee, after his middle name, and was incorporated as the City of Menifee in 2008.

The program is free of charge and will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center, located at 31850 Haun Road. Following the presentation, the public is invited to tour the association's new headquarters at the Menifee Valley Historical Museum, located inside the former Menifee Elementary School at 26301 Garbani Road, next to the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley.

Guests will be able to view displays set up inside rooms leased from the Menifee Union School District for the museum, which will open in early 2016.

For more information on the Menifee Valley Historical Association, visits its website here.

The Menifee Valley Historical Association Museum will be located in these converted classrooms on Garbani Road. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon