Verlaque House to celebrate 125 years on Saturday

The public is invited to attend the 125th anniversary of the “Grand Dame” of Main Street, also known as the Verlaque House, at the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Built in 1886, the newly re-roofed Verlaque House is the centerpiece of the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 645 Main St. The museum is owned and operated by the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society.

The society will be honoring all donors who contributed to the re-roofing project and will present a plaque listing all major contributors donating $500 and more. A flag presentation and a proclamation on the historical significance of the Verlaque House from County Supervisor Dianne Jacob will also be part of the event. Light refreshments will be served and the house will be open for tours until 1 p.m.

Major contributors to the new roof include: John Schwaesdall of Schwaesdall Roofing and Repairs, Jack Schwaesdall of Schwaesdall Roofing, and Ray Hosley of Ray Hosley Roofing.

Also listed as major contributors to the new roof are: Ann and Marc Mundt, Katie and Fred McNorton of Coldwell Banker Country Realty, Kiwanis Club of Ramona, Museum Director Ken Woodward, Malinda Cervantes of El Michoacan Restaurant, Steve Norman of Ramona Automotive, Ron James of the James Family Trust, Judy and Richard Nachazel, Barbara K. Sabin, San Vicente Saddle Club, Charles and Elizabeth LeMenager, Nicholas and Constance Harrison, and Jeff and Alice Funk.

All donors are recognized in a Commemorative Book of Donors and future major donors will be added to the plaque.

The French Provincial-style house is thought to be the only one of its style west of the Mississippi. In 1986 the Verlaque House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In April a monument with a brass plaque was installed in front of the house and it was placed on the California Register of Historical Landmarks. The house, with its 12-foot ceilings, includes several period displays including a doctor’s office, research library and 19th century kitchen. The basement has a tribute to Ramona’s turkey days and a display honoring world champion cowboy Casey Tibbs, who spent his later years living in Ramona and was instrumental in bringing professionalism to the Ramona rodeo.

For more information about the Verlaque House anniversary event, call 760-789-7644.