Historical Assn. celebrates Rural Center with Poker Run

Players in Wednesday's Poker Run picked up a card at the William Newport historical monument. Photos courtesy of Julie Zimmerman

The players all hoped for winning hands, but this poker game was different. It was played at locations around town, and players got a history lesson as well.

The Menifee Valley Historical Association celebrated the 70th year of the community center that hosts its meetings and countless other events Wednesday night, inviting residents to take part in a Poker Run and barbecue. The event started and ended at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center on Haun Road -- considered the original town meeting place.

As explained to guests by Mayor Bill Zimmerman -- a member of the Historical Association -- the original Rural Center was built on Haun Road at the site of the current Louie's Nursery in 1948. It was used as a social hall by local farmers for dances and other other events. In 1972, a newer version of the Rural Center was built as its current location on Haun Road near Garbani Road.

In celebration of the center's legacy and the 10th birthday of Menifee as a city, the Historical Association created the event in conjunction with the Menifee Valley Lions Club, which provided hot dogs and munchies at the end of the event. After first checking in at the Rural Center to get a playing form, players were given directions to five of the 12 historical monuments erected at historical sites around town.

At each historic site, players drew one playing card. After visiting the five sites, they returned to the Rural Center and showed event organizers the poker hand they were given. Those with the best hands received prizes donated by local businesses.

For information about all the historical monuments and other facts about the history of Menifee, visit the Historical Association's website at menifeehistory.com.

Bill Zimmerman gives instructions to players at the start of Wednesday's Poker Run.

One of the historical monuments players visited was at the site of the Kirkpatrick family ranch, now an elementary school.

Another historical monument visited by players honored the family of Walter Zeiders, who came to Menifee in the early 1900s.

After all players returned to the Rural Center, poker hands were tallied up and winners announced.