Valentine Peyton came to Los Angeles in 1900 intending to retire. Instead, he bought the financially troubled Evergreen Ranch in Lordsburg in 1904. The original owner of this citrus ranch had made a fortune in developing a popular brand of axle grease. The property had several owners. However, with the promise of a new irrigation system, houses for his workmen, and other improvements, Peyton became one of the largest citrus growers in the region. He remained active until shortly before his death in 1932.

On March 13, 2017, Mr. Paul Spitzzeri will acquaint us with Mr. Valentine Peyton. His presentation is scheduled for 7:00pm at the Hillcrest Meeting House and is free and available to all. The Meeting House is located in the Hillcrest complex at 2705 Mountain View Drive in La Verne.

Mr. Spitzzeri, Museum Director of the Homestead Museum in the City of Industry, is the author of many articles and essays on local, state and western history and received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History for his biography of the Workman and Temple families. His presentations are filled with factual information and his talk on Peyton is sure to entertain and enlighten.