Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve 50th Anniversary

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve was dedicated on April 24, 1976, the Bicentennial Year of the United States. A park to preserve the state flower, the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) became a reality due to the leadership of the Lancaster Woman's Club in cooperation with many local and state organizations. The links below tell the story of the 20-year campaign to create a park for poppies: Video: Reminiscing starring Dorothy Bolt, Pat Simi, Mary Wilson, Gretchen Winfrey and Jeri Coleman Story of a Dream California Poppies by Milt Stark, published in Antelope Valley Refections Magazine Milt Stark and PRMDIA by Mary Wilson Who Was Jane Pinheiro by Augusta Thompson The Great Poppy Lady by Ann Gregg Summary Report by Lancaster Woman's Club 1972 to 1974 Poppy History by Gladys Cunningham and Press Release by Dorothy Bolt

Special Events

In honor of this milestone in the history of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, PRMDIA is sponsoring these activities at the Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center (open 10 - 4 on weekdays and 9 - 5 on weekends until Mother's Day in cooperation with the Great Basin District of California State Parks. Art Exhibit Special Jane Pinheiro Art Exhibit that includes the voice of the artist herself! Raffle An original Jane Pinheiro poppy watercolor (Photo to the right) is the prize for our Anniversary Raffle. Drawing will be on Mother's Day. $5.00 for one ticket, 3 tickets for $10.00. Tickets on sale in the Jane Pinheiro Interpretive Center at the Poppy Reserve. (Do not have to be present to win but sorry, we cannot ship. Arrangements can be made for pickup, or delivery within 30 miles of Lancaster.) Commemorative pins One time offering of special Golden Anniversary Pins and other commemorative items available for purchase in the Jane Piheiro Interpretive Center Please come and help us celebrate!

Caption: Something to Smile About Herbert Rhodes, director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, accepts deed to wildflower land from William Penn Mott, Jr., President of the California State Park Foundation; Jane Pinheiro, long time advocate of the Poppy Park, approves. Ceremonies were held April 24 1976, in Lancaster, when the first 2,000 acres of the park were dedicated. Fund-raising will continue for additional land and a Nature Center on the park site.

Raffle: Original Watercolor by Jane Pinheiro