By DIANE A. RHODES
Special to The Press-Enterprise
The stately palm that stands at the corner of Highway 79 and Ramona Expressway in San Jacinto looks as if it has always been there.
Future generations will assume it has.
Marjorie Quandt Goodwin knows the tree's history, which dates back more than 100 years.
As a child growing up on the land that was later donated to Mt. San Jacinto College, she recalls it as one of the palm trees that lined the driveway of her family's ranch.
When the tractors began grading land for a new Stater Bros. shopping center near the intersection several months ago, Goodwin says she tried to think of a way to save the old palm tree.
"I asked our local store manager to contact the company's management and see what could be done, and the results were amazing," she said.
Jack Brown, chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. was born and raised in San Bernardino.
"We don't just do business here, we are part of the community," Brown said.
When he received Goodwin's request, Brown said he wanted to do everything possible to accommodate it.
"We believe in history, tradition and heritage," Brown said.
"We are proud to have served the Hemet area for a long time."
Brown said he was not sure of the exact cost to transplant the tree.
"How do you put a price on preserving history?" he asked.
Goodwin says each time she passes the corner she enjoys warm memories. Her family settled on the pioneer Woodhead homestead in January 1937.
"Do those hurrying by to Mt. San Jacinto College or to their new homes built on part of the ranch property have any clue that a family once lived there?" she asked. "With a few hired hands we grew alfalfa, hay, onion, potatoes, sugar beets and cabbage."
They also raised animals: white face cattle, milk cows, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, goats, three monkeys and a pony known as Saucy Susie.
"I'll never forget the sounds of that ranch life: the ringing of the cookhouse bell, the blast of my father's shotgun to scare away coyotes from our cattle, and my brother's hammering as he used wood scraps to build lifelike replicas of cartoon characters," Goodwin said.
Just before dawn, the rhythmic thumping of the hay baler woke her up.
She recalls seeing workers riding on it as the Farmall tractor pulled it.
The stalwart tree stands about 150 yards from its original home at the corner of what will soon be the complex's parking lot.
Reach Diane A. Rhodes at 951-763-3456 or dianealease@hotmail.com
Used by permission from Marjorie Goodwin