AN EARLY VINEYARD

The 1858 federal survey of the Simi Valley area exhibits a vineyard at the present day intersection of Township Road and Lemon Drive. The presence of a vineyard at that location in 1858 without irrigation seems unlikely. One is left with the conclusion that the vineyard was irrigated as part of the De la Guerra farm operation - probably an extension of the plantings in Tapo Canyon.

The Arroyo del Tapo has running surface water year around, and it can be assumed that those plantings of grapes were irrigated. Certainly, the depth to ground water made dryland grape production untenable. The depth to ground water at the intersection of Township Road and Lemon Drive exceeds 90 feet, so one is forced to the conclusion that the De la Guerras were conveying water for irrigation from well up Gillibrand Canyon or Tapo Canyon. Evidence of what may be that ditch can still be seen in places on the western side of Gillibrand Canyon. However, that ditch may well have been limited to irrigating crops in Gillibrand Canyon in the vicinity of the De la Guerra adobe. Water diversion from Tapo Canyon is the most likely source of that water.                                                                                     

Mike Kuhn

5-31-04