The First Year ........
Unfortunately, Joan Wilson, the unofficial historian for the area and composer of six volumes of local history was disabled and died while the Society was in the first stages of forming. However, she donated her collection of local history to the still unnamed historical society. Joan's donated collection was moved from storage to Ruth and Les Long's residence and a committee began to separate, catalog and file the entire assemblage. This was no small task!
The Steering Committee met for the last time on February 18, 1999, and a charter meeting was set for February 20, 1999, for the purpose of introducing the Articles of Incorporation, review and adoption of bylaws, collect dues and donations, present a slate of officers and accept nominations from the floor, elect officers and report on work in progress. Four quarterly meetings were scheduled for the remainder of the year. The Morongo Basin Historical Society became a reality on February 20, 1999. Newly elected officers were President Paul Cook, Vice President Helen Dotts, Recording Secretary Carole Kester, Corresponding Secretary Rita Wendler and Treasurer Sandy Williams. Forty people paid dues and signed the Founding Charter. A society logo of a windmill and cattle watering trough representative of Warren's Well, designed by Betty Warner, was adopted.
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