History

The Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1935 to fight the Matoon Act and through the years many people have been giving of their time unselfishly to try to make Spring Valley a better place to live.

The first meeting was on October 8, 1935 at the Growler Cafe, with Bill Sperry as first President. A building fund was started with $16.00 at the January 8, 1936 meeting. The diary of the first secretary, Betty Seymour Robinson, recorded incidents of fairs, card parties and dances which helped this fund to grow, and on November 1, 1937 a lot was purchased at Lamar and Helix (north west corner) for $148.60. In May, 1940, this lot was sold for $300.00. The present site of the Chamber was bought in July 1940 (presently the side of the Bancroft Ranch House Museum) at a foreclosure sale for $1,025.00. Mr. Herbert Smith advanced the money. On this site stood the "Old Adobe" badly in need of repair. It is now 104 years old - a State Historical Landmark.

An addition was built on the old building about 1941 and a new large building on the grounds was built around 1945.

Today, the Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce has assets of over $50,000.00. Plans are to finish the large building, restore the Bancroft House and beautify the grounds, but more important, the Chamber wants to help the community by bringing together civic minded people to help solve the problems of a rapidly growing community.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1211
Spring Valley, CA 91979-1211