The Krieg-Toney Family

The Krieg-Toney Family. and Early Industry at the Rocks. , Occurring in phases from the mid-1800s through the 1960s, private land ownership here was short on the extensive timeline of human inhabitance. It's hard to imagine the land before you as private property, but where you stand was the front yard of homesteader William "Henry" Krieg, whose family owned and operated Vasquez Rocks from 1919 to 1964. Through poverty and privilege, this area offered varying experiences for these early neighbors. And through their remaining stories and photographs, we can glimpse into life here over a century ago. , , The Krieg-Toney Family at Vasquez Rocks , Members of Krieg-Toney Family Pertaining to Vasquez Rocks: , , William "Henry" Krieg (1869-1937) , . Arrived from Colorado in 1909 to work at the Sterling Borax Mine, and homesteaded 240 acres here in 1919. The concrete foundation near you is believed to be the site of his small cabin. , , Ida Krieg Faubert (1865-1933) , . The sister of Henry Krieg, she helped oversee the homestead until her death in 1933. She moved from Colorado to Vasquez Rocks with her children after death of her first husband, Albert Toney. , , Ray Toney (1893-1951) , . The son of Ida Krieg Faubert, nephew and business partner to Henry Krieg, husband to Ida Rose Toney, and father to Edward Toney. He was granted the property in 1937, he oversaw it until his death in 1951. , , Edward "Ed" Toney (1927-2002) , . The son of Ray and Ida Rose Toney, he and his mother oversaw the property until August 1, 1964, when they leased it to LA County. , , Life on the Homestead , Times for the Krieg-Toney family were lean, so the family relied on various avenues to survive: , . Operating the site as a park (admission: 25-50 cents). , . Popularizing the name "Vasquez Rocks" to draw interest. , . Site rentals for filming and photography. , . Renting or selling small parcels of land and cabins. , . Small mining explorations. , . Distilling alcohol. , , Much of their income was spent on the property, including: , . Maintaining graded roadways and parking areas. , . Efforts to channel, collect, and store water. , . Picnic areas, campsites, and restrooms. , , Vasquez Rocks Highlighted , By the 1920s, the Rocks entered California's outdoor recreation and car cultures, becoming a favorite day trip destination just off of Highway 6 (today's Sierra Highway). Early travel features highlighted the site, and as decades passed and cars changed, the good old Rocks stayed the same. , , photo captions: , · Henry Krieg with unidentified guest in the 1920s to early 1930. , , · Ray Toney with Bruce the family dog. , , · Ed Toney pictured in front of the family home (today's park office), constructed around 1951 from leftover film sets. , , · A pamphlet from the early 1930s, created by Henry Krieg and his nephew Ray Toney. Images courtesy Dick Wright and Sarah Brewer. , , We are grateful to the Krieg/Toney family, including Ed Toney and Roger Wolff, for sharing the family photo collection, and local historian Jo Ellen Rismanchi, who compiled invaluable knowledge on the family before Ed's passing in 2002.