Templeton Rotary - Newsletter - Archive (Aug 21, 2009)

Carla Willhoit’s family came to California in 1935. Carla and her husband, Al, moved to Templeton in 1954 and in 1959 she went to work at the Templeton Post Office. As the years came Carla involved herself in the growing Templeton community. When the Templeton Historical Society was formed in 1989 Carla was on the board and remained a board member for 11 years. She is still involved with the Historical Society, and shared with our club some Templeton History.

Albert Crum built the first store building at the corner of Sixth and Main streets. The original building had two stories. The upper story was used for a hall until 1888 when it was converted to living quarters for Mr. Crum and his wife. When Mrs. Crum complained that the structure was too drafty and cold, Mr. Crum took the upper story and moved it to a lot near the corner of Sixth and Crocker streets, where it still stands. After the business was sold, the lower half of the building was moved one block north and is now Mc-Phee's Grill. Thus, the first building in Templeton still exists although in two different locations.

Carla shared with us that in 1902 the Templeton Board of Trade (now the Chamber) had an interesting list of "wants" for their little town. They wanted: the train to stop here, water for their cattle, the streets paved, a fire district, a rural route, and moral conduct. The big gun that sits in the park came in 1909, the fire bell in 1910, street signs in 1916, and the last meeting of the Board of Trade was in 1921. For more history of Templeton visit the Historical Museum on line.

By popular demand, a reprint of the 272-page book, The End of the Line, compiled by Al Willhoit with Carla Willhoit and James W. Cook, Jr., made its debut on July 4, 2008, at the museum's booth in the Templeton park. Carla was present to autograph copies following the parade.The book contains 70 images and tells the history of Templeton through the recollections of more than 130 area families who have lived in the area for generations. When Al, who was very interested in the history of Templeton, died in 1989, the book project was far from complete. His widow, Carla, and her son, Jim Cook, Jr., worked together on Al's collection of Templeton memorabilia to finish the project. The first edition rolled off the presses in 2001. The current edition sells for $25 including sales tax.