The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire


 

November 3, 2000
Oak Glen, California

Dear Friends and Family,

We are very pleased and excited to announce that the Riley Family has acquired a beautiful new addition to the farm--an extra 285 acres of land to the immediate south and east of the current property.     With this addition, the farm now includes over 500 acres of countryside variously covered with oak and evergreen forestation, scenic hilltops, shady canyons, cultivated fields, and historic farm dwellings--all of which we hope to make available to you, our faithful guests, in the near future.

The Los Angeles Times, in an article last month credited our family with an "ingenuity" that is helping to save Oak Glen from urban sprawl and  over-development.     That's very flattering, but we should give most of the credit where credit is due--to our parents, Ray and Bea Riley, who sacrificed their golden years to give their children a farm.     In the 1930's, Dad left the tomato farm of his boyhood to become a salesman.   After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy, met and married my mother, raised a family of six children, and started a business in Southern California.    At a time in life when most men are totaling up their bogies at the 19th tee, he turned in the country club for the country.   When most of his friends are enjoying the solitude of a retirement community and manicured lawns , he's enjoying the frenzy of sixteen grandchildren and a field full of sweet corn.     He isn't out spending his children's inheritance;  he's living it with us.

For that, and for Mom and Dad's continued faith in our project, and for God's good blessings, we are grateful!

Your humble servant,

James Riley

Don't Forget...

This year, over 10,000 school children  will take part in our Living History Field Trips.    Click here to make it 10,001!       The price is $12.00 per participant, with one free adult for every 15 students.      This includes lunch and four hours of participatory living history, covering either the American Revolution, Civil War, or Early California.

After an early March visit this year, a  fifth grade teacher from San Diego wrote us to say, "Thank you for the most wonderful field trip I have ever hosted for children.   Your knowledge of history, the authenticity of your facilities, the beauty of the surroundings, and the love of history that you shared with the students are very much appreciated." 

Thanks!  

Mark your calendars!   We look forward to visiting with you soon.

 Your Humble Servant,

James Riley

P.S. For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the internet to update their search engines, we include the following boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)

Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad, as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer "farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing, wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing: In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?

P.S.  Stay Clear of this "Cider House"

Mallory making her way through the tall grass on top of the southern bench

A shady spot among the Black oaks on top of the south ridge.

The new property includes a steep hiltop or two, narrow canyons and some densely forested glens, as seen here.

A Picture of the Riley Family

Contacting us via e-mail at: info@rileysfarm.com.

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Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399

(909) 797-7534

Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2000, All Rights Reserved