-Editorial
Tucked away in the heart of the Imperial Valley, the Pioneer Museum, located at 373 E. Aten Road in Imperial, is often described as the region’s best-kept secret. But for one day each year, the museum bursts to life with a celebration of history, family fun, and local heritage.
“This is an opportunity for people to experience history firsthand,” said Rudy Schaffner, a board member of the Imperial County Historical Society. “Most people don’t even know it’s here—it’s in their backyard, and it’s a free event for all ages.”
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from roping steers and pony rides for children to live entertainment and a classic car show. Food vendors will be on hand to serve up delicious options, ensuring that no one leaves hungry.
Inside the museum, guests can take a step back in time with interactive demonstrations, including butter churning, hand-grinding coffee, and traditional stitching. The museum also houses invaluable archives, such as the original paperwork granting water rights to the Imperial Valley.
The annual event at the Pioneer Museum provides a rare chance to explore the region’s heritage without the high cost of admission often associated with historical attractions. “It’s a once-a-year opportunity for families to come out, have fun, and learn about our history,” Schaffner said. “If you leave here hungry or not entertained, that’s on you.”
Ruth Chambers, a longtime Holtville resident who moved to the city in 1981 after her husband purchased Cooper’s Insurance Agency, played a key role in the event as the person who shared the history of of the city of Holtville that has a section in the museum. She emphasized the importance of preserving the city’s history and the contributions of local businesses and civic groups.
“The Rotary Club of Holtville, under the leadership of then-president John Grizzle, purchased this section of the gallery for $12,000,” Chambers explained. “We gathered as much memorabilia and as many photographs as we could find to showcase Holtville’s history.”
The exhibit is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the city’s development. One section highlights the businesses that shaped Holtville, while another displays the history of local clubs and organizations. A dedicated portion of the exhibit pays tribute to the Carrot Festival, an annual event that began in 1946.
“The first Carrot Festival brochure is here, and the next year, they even paid for the Bugs Bunny logo to be part of it,” Chambers said. The exhibit also includes festival brochures from different years and memorabilia from Holtville’s agricultural past.
Holtville earned the designation of “Carrot Capital” in the 1940s due to its significant role in carrot production. Chambers pointed out that, historically, the town had a railroad line that transported carrots across the United States. Labels from the 1940s represent prominent agricultural companies of the time, such as Thorp Packing, the Thornberg family, and Maggio.
“Now, most of the carrots go to Grimway Farms or Bolthouse,” Chambers said. “But when it’s carrot season, you’ll see an incredible number of carrot trucks leaving the valley.”
The business section of the display highlights early Holtville enterprises, including KK Sharp, who pioneered solo carrot packaging, Clark’s Service Station, and Keithly Williams Seeds. Chambers also noted the evolution of the city’s banking institutions, from Valley Independent Bank to Rabobank and now Mechanics Bank.
The exhibit offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to appreciate Holtville’s contributions to Imperial Valley’s agricultural and economic landscape.
A group of local Boy Scouts visited the Pioneer Museum, where they explored a display highlighting the history of Scouting in the Imperial Valley. The exhibit showcases the legacy of the organization, including past achievements, merit badges, and the evolution of Scouting values over the years.
For Scouts Charles Pippin, Ben Holbrook, and Nicholas Aldret, the experience was a chance to connect with the past and reflect on the values they continue to uphold.
“It’s really interesting looking back and seeing how things have changed and what has stayed the same,” Pippin said.
Holbrook agreed, adding, “It’s unique to look at what the organization once was and compare it to today. The core values have stayed over time, and it’s good to see our history being preserved.”
The exhibit features badges earned by Scouts in the past, some of which remain part of the program today. “It’s cool to see the standards they accomplished,” Aldret said. “We look at them and think, ‘Yo, we kind of want that.’ And the fact that we can still achieve that is great.”
When asked about the legacy they hope to leave behind as Boy Scouts, the young men expressed a desire to embody the core values of the organization.
“There’s a podium where the best of the best Eagle Scouts go. I can and probably will attempt to live up to that. It’s very difficult, but I’m going for it. I want to be remembered as a Scout who tried, who was helpful to his mates, and who was friendly.”
Holbrook echoed this sentiment. “Being a distinguished Eagle Scout would be amazing, but even if I don’t reach that, I want to be remembered as someone who helped others and upheld the values of the Scouts.”
For Pippin, leaving a lasting impact is key. “I’d like to create a good, lasting Eagle project and help people get to know their troop and explore what Scouting has to offer.”
