Jim Cox, relative of the Cox family mentioned below, donated a antique typewriter to the Valencia Museum and writes (via email) about his family's involvement with Valencia Hall, the Farm Bureau and other local families that were active in the Valencia community.
The TypewriterThis Oliver typewriter was patented in 1912 and employed an early mechanism
in which left and right side keys activated arc-shaped strikers which swungto the center to strike the letter against the ribbon and cylinderThe typewriter, likely acquired in the late teens or early 20's, belongedto James Peter and Daisy Deane Cox. It was used by Daisy to typedocuments, meeting minutes, and newspaper copy for articles on the ValenciaFarm Center activities reported to the Watsonville Register Pajaronian andSanta Cruz Sentinel. From the pre-World War I period when she and herHusband settled on their place on Cox Road until the 1970s Jim and Daisyserved in many capacities during their life together. Jim served as amember of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for 35 yearsand the typewriter no doubt served to prepare occasional letters to supportFarm Bureau business. Likewise, it was no doubt used by Daisy when sheresearched Group Health Insurance for the State Farm Bureau, a task forwhich she received the California State Life Time Achievement Award. Shealso served as Chairman of the Valencia Farm Bureau Women well into her90's because her friends "wouldn't let (her)...give up the position."
Jim Cox and the Farm BureauFollowing Jim Cox's death in 1961, members of the Valencia Farm Center
voted to display his picture in the Hall as a tribute to his almostlife-long role in buying the Hall from the Frederick Hihn family andmaintaining it as the farm community.Discussions with Mr. Don Cox, middle son of Jim and Daisy, indicated thathe recalled that Louie Nelson, a Santa Cruz supervisor, may have played theviolin at the Hall for Farm Center dances. Live music also occasionallyincluded Allen Cox, eldest son of Jim and Daisy, and his wife Ruthie, whoplayed the banjo and piano respectively. Others in the community alsoentertained.County Fair and the Farm Bureau
The photo of the Santa Cruz County Fair First Place in about 1948 or 1949.
Suzanne Cox Evans as a youth (still attending Aptos School) worked on thedisplay with her grand parents. Soaked wood in large tub and bent it tomake the base of the "fountain" in the photo. This photo was one of lastyears that the Valencia Farm Center sponsored a booth. All produce wasfrom the local Valencia community. All items were labeled with contents.Suzanne gave all the notes and records from the Farm Bureau era to JulieWennerholm because Ed was then the Farm Center President.
Some Names of Families who I believe participated:Alvin & Florence WaugamanBetty & Don GalbraithEdith KingHager, Charles and ?? - Trout GulchNorma and Roy DayEldon DayGeorge and Avis PetersonGreg,Newt & Clyde Newton - Newt drove school busJulie and Ed WennerholmHarry and Jen GundersonHenry and Jean BerbertGalbraith, Betty andHelen and Frank LarsonGunneson, GenHihn, TeresaNickelsonsBatsloffsIlesEarl KingHackbarths (McDonald and Day Valley Road)ValenciasKitty DarlingCharlsonsMcKay
Other uses of the Valencia Hall: over the years.
Potluck SuppersCommunity DancesVarsuvien Cotton Eye Joe Other Folk Dances