Community Asset Mapping

1. Community Asset Mapping Raquel Staten Donna Zautner-Mallett And Maríaelena Huizar

2. Community And School • Victorville Community • Del Rey Elementary School

3. Geography • Victorville is located North of the Inland Empire between San Bernardino and Las Vegas, and located within San Bernardino County, which is approximately 97 miles from Los Angeles • It includes more than 74 square miles, and it is located 2,875 feet above sea level • The climate is mostly mild year-round. The rainfall could reach up to 6 inches per year. The windy conditions help keep the valley practically smog free • Zip Codes included – 92392, 92393, 92394, 92395 • Population – 77,000 includes unincorporated Mountain View Acres and Spring Valley Lake • Incorporated to a city on September 21, 1962 • Known as the Home of the San Bernardino County Fair

4. History / Architecture • 5,000 years ago, primitive men dwelt in caves in parts of the Mojave Desert • Rancherias - Summit Valley, Baldy Mesa and Hesperia • Brush huts peopled Serrano Indians AKA Shoshonean • Nov. 1885 - first train traveling from San Diego to the East passing through the Victor Valley region • 1901 - The city of Victor changed to Victorville, which was given by the Southern California Railway, subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railroad • 1890’s - The Turner residence is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Victorville – built on Seventh Street - later moved to Sixth Street. • 1907 - A tiny jail is still standing on E. Street in Victorville

5. History / Architecture • 1870 - Old Sheriff’s Office – Currently stands between City Hall and the San Bernardino County Court Offices • 1899 - The Chantry House – Purchased by Robert Chantry in 1917 is one of the first houses in Victorville • Early 1900’s - McDougal Cottage was owned by a Scottish seaman • 1914 - The Barrel House – Restaurant and Jewelry Store – 1933 - Barrel House Liquor Store • 1914 - Methodist Church on “B” and 5th Street • 1917 - The First National Bank - First located on 6th Street and moved to 6th and “D” Street in 1918 - It remained at the same location until 1931

6. History / Architecture • 1916 - Victor Valley Memorial Park - First cemetery in the area • 1922 - Old Victor School - In 1960, it was used as storage; from 1982-1983, it was restored; on July 2nd, 1985, it started to function again. It depicts the Chicago School of Architecture with hardwood floors • 1923 - Victorville Hardware – Today is Western Outdoor Power Equipment Co., Inc. • 1925-1926 - U.S. Highway 66 • 1930 - Victor Valley High School • The Victorville “V” is the landmark for the high school

7. History / Architecture • 1935 -Victor Valley Jr. High School Gymnasium • The San Bernardino County Fairground Sign - Its neon art sign was popular in the forties • 1941 - USO Building; in 1945, it was remodeled for a Park and Recreational District, which changed its name to Victorville Community Center located on 8th street • 1963 - Green Tree Inn Sign - it is the landmark symbolizing Victorville

8. Organizations That Exist In The Community • The characteristics of downtown consist of old buildings, which have been moved or restored, while others are still being built as new. • Lioness Club/Rotary International, Victor Valley Optimist Club, City of Victorville, Inc., San Bernardino County Probation Department, Victor Valley Women’s Club, H.D. Flower #93, B.P.O.E., Lions International, Disabled American Veterans, Kiwanis International, Desert Communication United Way, High Desert Lodge # 107, Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce, etc.

9. Organizations That Exist In The Community • Today, Victorville is the largest commercial center between San Bernardino and Las Vegas. • Good for business –Southern California Logistics Airport and the Business Park offer opportunities for industries and distribution users • The Redevelopment Agency facilitates the use of tax revenues for infrastructure improvements within its jurisdiction. In recent years, businesses such as COSTCO, BIGLOTS!, 99 CENTS’ STORES, WENDYS, FOOD 4 LESS, KING RANCH MARKET, GOODWILL, and many others are joining the retail and distribution forces including non-profit organizations in the Victorville area • Affordable quality-built housing and good city planning create an attractive place to live

10. Reflection/Debriefing • We were amazed by how our past is rich in historical romance and tradition in which we were all engaged in discovering the historical sites we never knew existed • We realized that work opportunity is based on minimum wage in most of this area • Victorville is a church going town with a vast amount of different churches/religions-Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. • Victorville’s ethnic population is 47% White, 34% Hispanic, 12% African American, 3% Asian, and 4% others • We observed no trash, graffiti or potholes and minimum construction by Interstate 15

11. Reflection/Debriefing • We were surprised by Victorville’s statistics: • School enrollment: 17,500 • Dwellings including apartments: 26,500 • Elementary Schools: 13 • Middle Schools: 3 • High Schools: 2 • 2 Area Hospitals: 1700 employees • Daily Press Newspaper: 160 employees • Victorville Bus Transit System

12. Reflection/Debriefing • Civics: Students can learn about our community and its services by getting involved in service learning projects that relate to the school and the community. • We learned to appreciate and respect the various cultures within the community. • Community mapping helps us reach out to our communities in reference to the students needs and an understanding of their cultures • The socio-economic backgrounds of students reflect an extension of their community. • Helping the community: educating and involving parents and students with out reach programs in the school • This experience helped us develop sensitivity to the needs of the students in the community and broadened our understanding of their environment

13. 3 to 6 Block Area From Del Rey Elementary • Students walked and/or took the bus with walking guards on the main cross streets. Safety was at an utmost importance • Main streets are always busy coming in and out of the school’s grounds • Positive places: kids hang out with friends at home, parks, Community/Recreational Centers and Library • Interviews: We were given a hard time by the school’s staff with taking pictures, walking and talking within its facility

14. 3 to 6 Block Area From Del Rey Elementary • 5 Churches: Catholic, Baptist, Jewish and Christian non-denominational • Victor Valley Beauty College • 2 School Districts: High/Middle School and Elementary • Small Mexican goods and services/businesses: restaurants, fast food, upholstery shops, notary, grocery stores, medical clinics, auto repairs, etc. (with many signs written in Spanish) • Other small businesses: flower shops, beauty salons, glass shop, liquor stores, car dealers, fast food restaurants, auto repairs, motels, dry cleaning, etc. • Racial mix is mostly Hispanic, some African American, Asian, and other community groups

15. 3 to 6 Block Area From Del Rey Elementary • Housing: Some new dwellings, older homes, apartments, trailer/mobile homes • Victorville Library • Historical Route 66 and its Museum • 2 large parks • Amtrak Train station • 2 Fire Departments • 1 Memorial Park • 1 Hospital • Drug Stores • Interstate 15 • 1 Community/Recreational Center available for youth and families • The Gem & Mineral Club • Historical plaques: Route 66 Museum, Turner home, Tiny Jail, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Green Tree sign and Fair Grounds sign, etc.

16. Geography