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Click Here for 2011 Parade Entry Form Paso Robles Pioneer Day 2011
2011 Pioneer Day Queen
Barbara Bethel Lewin
Barbara's grandmother, Lina Hege, came to the Paso Robles area in 1896. Lina was the third of 12 children. She immigrated to Wisner, Nebraska from Lautenback, Germany. At 21 years old of age, Lina married Edwin Leisy of Dover, Iowa in 1895. They moved to California the next year to raise wheat. Barbara's mother, Edith Leisy, was the first daughter of Edwin and Lina and was born on a ranch near the Salinas River and Wellsona Road. In 1908 the family bought part of Otto Kuehl's ranch on the east side near the Estrella River. Back then the closest establishment was the "Fifteen-Mile-House", later known as River Grove, now known as Whitley Gardens. The family soon moved to a ranch in the Union District. Edith, her sister and two brothers attended school at the Paso Robles Union School, a one-room school house. Edith, was named the Queen of the first Community Fair held in Paso Robles in 1919. She married Roy Bethel of Idaho and Barbara was born at Atascadero Hospital on Aug 12, 1929. Barbara married Bob Lewin and they operated the Foster Freeze for over 25 years and also have operated Blenders for 37 years, which is now located on 12th Street. Barbara and Bob have been married 61 years.
Art's forefathers were from Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany. Great-uncle Martin left home at age 16 to go to sea. He came to Hog
Canyon in 1885 and homestead 160 acres on the San Luis Obispo side of the county
line. He owned and leased 2,600 acres there which he sold in 1910 and bought 160
acres in the Estrella area at the corner of Ranchita Canyon and Von Dollen
Roads. Art's grandfather John, Martin's brother, came to California in 1886. He
homestead 160 acres near Martin on the Monterey County side of the county line
between Keyes and Mason Canyons. Art's dad, Johnnie, was born at the homestead
in 1888. He along with brother Henry bought and farmed a part of what is now the
Independence Ranch in Hog Canyon. In 1922, they ended their partnership and
Johnnie bought uncle Martin's 160 acres at Ranch Canyon and Von Dollen Roads.
Art was born there in 1927 and has spent his entire 84 years at or within 1/4
mile of this homestead. Art's mother was Mary Hodel. Her parents, Heinrich and
Marie, came from Baden, Germany to the Estrella area in 1897 with a Mennonite
group led by Paster Jacob Hege. The family liver in upper Keys Canyon and the
children attended Keys Canyon School. Brothers Henry, Chris and Otto farmed
there. Art spent has spent his entire life involved in dry land grain farming
and raising cattle. His four children, Larry, Elaine, Karl and Roy and their
children all have off farm occupations. Art and his wife Florence have been
married for 62 years. Pioneer Day Royalty Dinner:
Master of Ceremonies will be the "infamous" 1st District
Supervisor Frank Mecham Get your reservations in quick if you are going!!!
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