3-9-2025 — Historical Society Meeting

Chris Jepsen, Speaker

You do not want to miss the Sunday,  March 9, 2025 meeting of the Historical Society. Sometimes life and fiction cross in a very real historical sense.  Before radio, before TV a real life soap opera happened in our neighborhood.  

Chris Jepsen, County archivist and historian has uncovered such a story that happened in Capistrano-by-the-Sea on May 23, 1888.  The headlines read, “The Slaying of Frank Wilson by Alfred Wolff”.  Of course there was also a woman involved.  Leading names of Richard Eagan and Madame Modjeska also are part of the story.  Intrigued?  Then plan to attend the Historical Society meeting at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center at 3:00-4:30 on Sunday March 9th.  The meeting is free to the public.  

The meeting will also introduce CeeCee Vasquez, Matriarch for the Society. We will also be voting for board re-elections. 

This is one meeting you will not want to miss.  

Sunday, March 9, 2025
3:00-4:30pm

San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino del Avion San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

10-25 and 10-26, 2024 — Ghosts & Legends Tour

An annual Halloween tradition on California’s oldest residential street. Join us for an all-ages guided walk down historic Los Rios Street. Hear from ghostly visitors who share their story of their time walking this very same street. Spooky, family friendly tales will be a highlight of your holiday.

Learn More & Purchase Tickets

3-10, 2024 — Semi Annual Meeting

On Sunday, March 10 at 3:00 the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society will host their semi-annual meeting at 26000 Avenida Aeropuerto in the Club house.  

The Speaker will be Cynthia Shaw Bowers, daughter of Fulton and Kay Shaw who grew up in San Juan Capistrano.  She will highlight her life when ranches, farms and orange groves permeated our village.  Both her parents were very influential in the development of our community.  

The meeting will include the election of Board Members. Society Members and the public are invited.  

For further information call the Society at 493-8444

Meeting located at:
Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates Clubhouse
26000 Avenida Aeropuerto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Admission is Free and all are Welcome

Sunday, March 10, 2024
3:00pm

11-21-23 — Kathrine Dana Shaw, oldest living relative of Richard Henry Dana Jr. Meet and Greet

Kathrine Dana Shaw, oldest living relative of Richard Henry Dana Jr., member and past president of Women’s Club of S.J., & 2008 Grand Marshall of Swallow’s Day parade, embarks on a train quest to meet her estranged daughter, Chris, mentioned in her new book, “Mover And Shaker: Remarkable Woman Making Her Mark In A Man’s World” and encourages others to do the same!

Kay will be available to Meet & Greet, promoting her new book at O’Neill Museum @ 31831 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 on Tues., Nov. 21st, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m and will board the train in San Juan at 3:35 p.m. to begin her journey! Call a loved one before holidays, meet and reunite at train stop! Kay will be cheering you on, since at almost 103 years, she knows, “life is short and relationships are what really matters!” Kay’s book will be available for purchase and select original San Juan Capistrano historic pictures will be on display for silent auction until 3:00 p.m. (portion of sales to support San Juan Historical Society) at O’Neill Museum. Ample parking available in Franciscan Plaza Parking @26732 Verdugo Street, S.J.C., by Train Depot for $2.00 per hour; with park, charming shops and world-class restaurants near. Call and invite your loved one to meet Kay at the train stop, all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Kay’s Schedule:
Meet & Greet @ O’Neill Museum, S.J.C.: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
S.J.C. Train Depot: 3:00 – 3:35 p.m.
Fullerton Train Depot (Train 581): 4:18 p.m.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 11:20 a.m. Wed.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Kathrine Dana Shaw with Cynthia Shaw Bowers new book, “Remarkable Woman Making Her Mark in a Man’s World” is a potent story of an underdog’s victory.

Consumers can purchase at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

https://www.pr.com/press-release/888490

10-7, 2023 — Reata Roundup BBQ and San Juan Capistrano’s newest singing talent contest

San Juan Capistrano Historical Society, SJCHS, is hosting a Kansas City Barbecue Society, KCBS, Contest at the Swanner House Event Center in the SJC Northwest Open Space on October 7, 2023.  This is the 2nd annual Reata Round Up BBQ Contest; we will host up to fifty teams from the western United States competing for one of the richest prize payouts on the California barbecue circuit.

Recent family events in San Juan Capistrano have attracted hundreds of visitors.  We will host:

  • 50 Teams and Certified KCBS Judges and their families attending the event
  • People’s Choice samples contest entries from award winning teams
  • BBQ and other food vendors will be available for the public to enjoy
  • Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase
Click Here For Tickets and Complete Information

We are adding a new and unique attraction for a BBQ contest, will be hosting a singing talent show for young aspiring entertainers from our local High Schools.

this is a KCBS Sanctioned event

Located at the Swanner House in San Juan Capistrano
29943 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

KCBS Representatives: Kelly and Kathleen McIntosh

Organizer: Jim Palmer  1-714-319-1782
jpee@sbcglobal.net

Generous prize pool of at least $15,000 with payouts 10 places deep. 

Registration fees:
$350.00  20′ x 30′ space with 110 power
$400 20’ x 60’ space with 110 power

Ancillary Dessert catagory $30.00 registration fee. 
Payouts to 5th place , total $600

Peoples Choice with 100% payout.

Vending opportunities available. Please contact the organizer with inquiries.

Visit https://reataroundupbbq.com for more information, and to download a registration form.

Click here to pay for TEAM REGISTRATIONS.

For SPONSORSHIPS click here.

4-22, 2023 — Fiesta Day

WE’RE BACK

The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society at 31831 Los Rios Street is once again hosting a Fiesta Day on Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 2pm on our property.  There will be arts and crafts for all ages as well as exhibits for the public to enjoy.  No cell phones required.   All projects are hands on. Enjoy spending a few hours remembering what life was like in grandma’s or great-grandma’s day.  Experience how grandpa watered the fields or brought water into the house.  Exhibits will also include Native American artifacts from the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians.  

This event is free to the public. 

If you have any questions please contact the SJCHS at 949.493.8444 or info@sjchistory.org

San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

3-5, 2023 — General Meeting

Special Guest Speaker Domingo Belardes, Chairman of the Blas Aguilar Foundation. Domingo will speak on the Juaneno’s past and present and their importance to our community.

Mark Rottmann will introduce the Historical Society Board Members who are up for re-election this year.

Also — Save the Date, Saturday, April 22, for the return of the Society Fiesta Days!

Meeting located at:
Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates Clubhouse
26000 Avenida Aeropuerto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Admission is Free and all are Welcome

Sunday, March 5, 2023
3:00pm