• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
Monday, June 5, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
The Capistrano Dispatch
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On SJC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SJC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • Dana Point Times
    • San Clemente Times
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SJC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit A Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
    • Announcements
    • Submit An Announcement
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Inside/Outside Home
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
  • SJC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On SJC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SJC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • Dana Point Times
    • San Clemente Times
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SJC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit A Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
    • Announcements
    • Submit An Announcement
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Inside/Outside Home
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
  • SJC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
The Capistrano Dispatch
No Result
View All Result

Then & Now: History of Hospitality at Historic Town Center Park

by Capo Dispatch
November 23, 2017 8:00AM
in LIVING, SJC Living
Then & Now: History of Hospitality at Historic Town Center Park

Max Mendelson raised his own poultry at the Mendelson Hotel in the late 1800s. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Max Mendelson raised his own poultry at the Mendelson Hotel in the late 1800s. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society
Max Mendelson raised his own poultry at the Mendelson Hotel in the late 1800s. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

By Rhonda deHaan

Max Mendelson was born in Calish, Poland, in 1837. He and his two brothers, Mendel and Morris, made their way to the United States and ultimately settled in California. Max, also known as Mark, set his sights on the southern part of the state and moved with his family to San Juan Capistrano. In 1875, he purchased land from Manuel and Paula Garcia and opened the Mendelson Hotel that same year. Today, it is the site of our Historic Town Center Park.

The year 1875 was also when the first map of San Juan Capistrano Township was recorded in the Los Angeles County book of records. Many of the names listed on the map belong to families that are still prominent in town today. It is interesting to note, however, that the only street name that has remained the same is Spring, near the Mission. El Camino Real north of Ortega Highway was called Main Street. What we know as Camino Capistrano ran south from the Mission and was Central Street. There was Oriental (El Camino Real south of Ortega) and Occidental (now Los Rios Street).

Many things have changed since then. Thankfully, refrigeration has eliminated the need to raise our own poultry as they did at the Mendelson. But sometimes it’s nice when things remain the same. And, as countless hungry travelers enjoyed a hearty meal and warm hospitality at that old hotel, may today’s visitors also experience the graciousness of this lovely town. The annual city tree lighting is a wonderful way to share a memorable evening with family and friends. All are welcome as the community comes together to celebrate the season on Dec. 2 at Historic Town Center Park.

Rhonda deHaan is a resident of San Juan Capistrano who enjoys sharing fun photographic finds as she continues to learn more about this unique town. She is a proud mother of two, a freelance writer, and a member of the SJC Friends of the Library and San Juan Capistrano Historical Society Board of Directors. She is serving her fourth term as a member of the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
Tags: FeaturedHistoric Town Center ParkHistoryMendelson HotelOrange Countyrhonda dehaanSan Juan CapistranoSouth Orange CountyThanksgivingthen and nowtree lightingturkey
ShareTweetPin

Capo Dispatch

Related Posts

GALLERY: San Juan Hills Class of 2023 Celebrates Graduation

GALLERY: San Juan Hills Class of 2023 Celebrates Graduation

June 2, 2023
Eat My Words: Restaurants Unveil New Menu Items and Encore Favorites

Eat my Words: Make Breakfast a Mini Vacation

June 2, 2023
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Cowboy

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Cowboy

June 2, 2023
Publisher’s Letter: A Perfect 10

Publisher’s Letter: A Perfect 10

June 2, 2023
Next Post

Feeding the Soul: Spirit of Giving is Alive and Well in San Juan Capistrano

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

The Dispatch Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get The Dispatch delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Current Issue
  • Contact Us
  • San Clemente Times
  • Dana Point Times
  • About Us

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On SJC
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • SJC Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • Dana Point Times
    • San Clemente Times
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of SJC
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classifieds
    • Submit A Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
    • Announcements
    • Submit An Announcement
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Crib to College
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Good Eats
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Inside/Outside Home
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Event Guide
    • The Green Issue
  • SJC Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.