The Hunt Family
Richard O. Hunt was another prominent pioneer of the Conejo Valley.
Like many of our founding families, the Hunts purchased a large parcel of land in 1876.
He named it the Salto Ranch, and developed it into a thriving enterprise. All that remains today is a single Olive tree to remember the Hunt Ranch.
The old Hunt Olive Tree has since been moved to a new location at the corner of Hillcrest and Lynn Road. It has been designated a City of Thousand Oaks Landmark #4, and, a County of Ventura Landmark #64.
In 1897, Mr. Hunt
became postmaster of the Newbury Park Post Office, started by Egbert
Newbury. In his dedication to his family and community, he also joined
forces with interested citizens and helped establish a second school
district in the Conejo Valley known as Timber School District. In 1889, the new
Timber School was
constructed.
Mr. Hunt on Rincon Beach at low tide.
Richard Hunt's youngest son, Fred Hunt, married Lydia Bell in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Minnie, held at the Conejo Hotel, now known as the Stagecoach Inn, where the Bell sisters' father, James Hebron Bell, was the managing proprietor at the time.
Fred was a dashing young man and his wife Lydia
just as beautiful. Lydia's sister Minnie married Mr. A.E. Cawelti. The
double wedding, held September 19, 1897, was one of many 100's of
weddings that would be celebrated at the Stagecoach Inn over the
20th century.
Bell Family Portrait ~ 1887
Bell Family Portrait, believed to be taken in 1887,
include (from Left to right,) Lydia, her mother Mary Rose Nadeau-Bell,
baby James Harry, Alexander, Mr. James Hebron, Walter,
and Minnie Bell.
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