Citrus Heights history highlighted in new historical trail guide

By Sara Beth Williams–
The recently opened Arcade Cripple-Creek trail winds through several historical plots of land, according to a new trail guide published by the Citrus Heights Historical Society.

The long-awaited multi-use trail was under construction for more than a year and recently held a grand opening on May 5 with a community walk, bike, and run event from Tempo Park to C-Bar-C Park. During the ribbon-cutting event, the historical society handed out trail guides highlighting significant landmarks along the route.

The trail, which begins at Mitchell Village off Sunrise Boulevard and ends at Wachtel Way, weaves through open green spaces, neighborhoods, and several parks that were once farmland. Five historical landmarks are highlighted in the guide, which is designed against the backdrop of a 1921 Sacramento land owner’s map, courtesy of the Center for Sacramento History.

The trail route is marked in red, with current street names added for directional orientation. Several early-century photos and a description accompany each highlighted landmark.

Mitchell Village is the first stop on the trail and sits on land that was once owned by English immigrants Edward and Zenobia Crabb, according to the guide. Once the farmland was irrigated, Edward Crabb Jr. planted grapes during the era of prohibition. Crabb’s grandson, Ted Mitchell, recalls trucks full of grapes waiting until nightfall to travel to buyers.

The second stop on the trail crosses over Fair Oaks Boulevard into land that was once owned by the Pilchers, who owned 680 acres. The Pilchar Farmland is well-known for a barn once located at Sunrise Boulevard and Oak Avenue that caught fire in 1933. There was no fire department at the time.

According to the historical guide, a volunteer fire department was formed soon after in response to the barn fire. A photo in the guide from 1942 shows eight women who were part of The Ladies Auxiliary, a group of all-female volunteer firefighters.

Shortly after crossing Woodmore Oaks Drive, the trail curves into land owned by the Cross family, who owned two 160-acre parcels side by side. In 1862, John Cross helped build Sylvan School, the area’s first schoolhouse. His wife, Sarah, became the first teacher at the one-room schoolhouse.

Stop number four on the guide shows the trail traveling through neighborhoods and open green space toward Northwoods Park. On the 1921 map, the route runs parallel to a street once known as Cross Drive.

According to the guide, in 1921, the Cross family sold their land on the west side of the trail to the Trainor-Desmond Company, who then subdivided the property and built Cross Drive. To attract buyers for the new land parcels, Walt Trainer named the subdivision “Citrus Heights.”

From Northwoods Park, the trail crosses Oak Avenue toward C-Bar-C Park, entering 120 acres of farmland once known as C-Bar-C Ranch, which was owned by the Carrick family. The ranch was famous for its hayrides, barbecues, and outdoor entertainment activities. Carrick’s nephew and wife continued farming and were instrumental in the creation of C-Bar-C Park, according to the guide.

Citrus Heights Historical Society President Larry Fritz, who designed and wrote the historical trail guide, said the guide is ideally intended for people to read while walking along the trail.

“There is much more value in learning about history when you are at the location where the events took place,” Fritz said.

The trail guide will be available at City Hall beginning Monday, June 10. The content of the pamphlet is also available on the Historical Society’s website at www.citrusheightshistory.org for those who may be unable to visit the trail in person.