[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E301-E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Lake 
Elsinore, the second oldest city in Riverside County. On April 9, 2013, 
the City will celebrate its 125th anniversary. Lake Elsinore has a rich 
and colorful past, and will continue to contribute to the landscape, 
diversity and history of our county and the state of California.
  Settlers came to Lake Elsinore in the early 1800s for the natural 
springs which were said to have healing qualities. Rich and fertile 
farm lands and natural resources such as clay, coal, sand and gravel, 
kept the early settlers here. The birth of these industries brought the 
Butterfield stagecoach line through town. In 1858 a stop was 
established at the Juan Machado Adobe along Grand Avenue, part of which 
can still be seen today. In 1882 a rail line was extended through town 
and soon the Santa Fe train station was constructed one block off Main 
Street. Today, that station serves as the home of the Lake Elsinore 
Chamber of Commerce.
  These early settlers established a town site around the lake, which 
they named Elsinore, after the town of Elsinore in Denmark immortalized 
by Shakespeare in his play Hamlet. On April 9, 1888 the town was 
incorporated, five years before the County of Riverside even existed.
  In the 1920s and 1930s, Lake Elsinore was a weekend getaway for some 
of Hollywood's best-known stars. Famous residents included actor Bela 
Lugosi and founder of the Foursquare Church and radio personality Aimee 
Semple McPherson. According to local legend, some of the grand homes on 
the hills surrounding Lake Elsinore were also allegedly used as 
speakeasies and gambling dens during Prohibition. Their high perch 
above the valley floor afforded the occupants the opportunity to see 
the headlights of the County Sheriff from miles away.
  In 1971, the Elsinore Grand Prix launched Lake Elsinore into the 
national spotlight when Bruce Brown released his movie ``On Any 
Sunday'' featuring Baja Champion Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen. 
Today, the last race of the Grand Prix is called the Harvey Mushman, an 
alias McQueen often used when riding.
  In 1972, citizens approved Lake Elsinore as a new name for the city 
to promote it as a prime destination for tourists. The city offers 
venues for professional baseball, Motocross, skydiving, sail planes, 
bowling, golf, water skiing, jet boats, fishing and even bow fishing. I 
encourage tourists from all over to come and enjoy southern 
California's only natural lake and the recreational paradise that is 
Lake Elsinore. I am honored to represent Lake Elsinore once again in 
the House and look forward to serving its residents as the Member of 
Congress for the 42nd District of California.

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