Today, we have a mystery image. Are these members of the pioneer Serrano family of Orange County? If so, who are they? First, a little background on this painting..
OC Parks Ranger Sue McIntire from Heritage Hill Historical Park dropped by the Archives today with the news that a number of items from the Serrano family had been purchased for the Serrano Adobe at Heritage Hill in El Toro. It seems one of the Serrano kin passed away recently, and an estate sale was held in Corona. Unfortunately, nobody in O.C. seems to have heard about the sale until after it was over. But luckily, Parks picked up some of the remaining items on eBay afterward -- including this painting.
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It appears this painting was based on family photos. Are these folks Serranos? It is signed, "Navarro '86." The painting is also shrink-wrapped(!!), and bears a sticker on the back advertising "Clement Art Gallery: Picture framing, cleaning, restoration. 613 1/2 Howard St., Corona." I doubt that contacting the artist or gallery would shed much light at this late date. I think the odds are better that one of you attentive readers will be able to identify some of these folks. Please post something in the "comments" section of this post if you have information.
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On a thoroughly unrelated note, the City of Mission Viejo's Heritage Committee is selling playing cards featuring 55 different historical images of the community. They also still have copies of our friend Doris Walker's book, Mission Viejo: The Ageless Land, for sale. The card decks are $10 through the Recreation & Community Services Dept: (949) 470-3061. The books are $25 at the Mission Viejo Library, 100 Civic Center.
