Mission
Our Mission statement stands true since 1948. " To promote horsemanship activities and other outdoor recreational activities; and to provide a meeting place for horse lovers."
Members
Our members and sponsorship community support the heritage, history and future of S.V.P.P.
Our History
The beginnings of Pleasure Park began with a group of friends who played horse polo in the 1930's. Jim Mathews, a native of Scott Valley, visited relatives in Scott Valley and taught them the basics of polo. Friends joined in the fun and soon there was a team in Fort Jones and a team in Etna. George Dillman and his sons made up the largest family group.
In 1943, George Dillman became Etna Town Marshal. By the mid-1940's he noticed that there was about 10-12 teenaged girls who rode all the time - frequently holding horse races on main street. He though there should be a central place for them to ride their horses. George conceived the idea of combining this horse area with polo grounds. In 1945,he and his son, Hearst, and Gleason Balfrey, purchased 12 acres from Kenneth Depew. It was a rocky, Sandy area located next to trickling Etna Creek.
George served as the local police, but he also had a leather shop which was also used for socializing with his friends. It was among the conversations with these friends that helped gain support for what was at first just a polo field. In 1947, three local teens asked the polo players if the could put a rodeo on. Jim Johnson, Jasper Landi and Tom Webster wanted to ride rodeo events and the adults organized the first rodeo between polo matches. It seemed rodeo was a good idea because the crowd enjoyed watching it more than polo. In April 1948, the articles of incorporation of the Pleasure Park Association of Etna were filed. The goal of Pleasure Park was to: Promote horsemanship activities and other outdoor recreational activities; and to provide a meeting place for horse lovers. The board of directors listed with the Articles of Inc. were W.D.Pinky Mathews, Fred P. Browne, Ruth Gepford, George R Dillman, Roy Mason, Robert A. Dillman and Frank Bryan - all of Etna.
In September of 1948, George Dillman reminded the people of Scott Valley in the local weekly Western Sentinel newspaper, that the property for Pleasure Park was for the enjoyment of everyone. An arena was built inside the polo field with two bucking chutes at the south end of the arena. Horse Races were run on the resulting track between the two fences. There was a ladies race, a kids race, pony express and men's race. In 1949, Ellen Hayden received one undressed chicken from Etna Meat & Ice for her win in the ladies race. The audience would park their cars around the outside of the fence to watch.
Around 1952, the picnic grounds were improved and gravel was donated by Curtis "Tuffy" Fowler to include a cement slab for roller skating and dancing. The pit-cooked beef barbecue, cooked by Bert Davis, was also started about this time. Play days hosting gymkhana events had been happening on and off as the participants decided to organize one. But, the play day soon began happening the same day as the Barbecue, which is still held in September to this day.
In 1953, huge grandstands were built, seven new bucking chutes, and an announcers stand were built on the east side of the arena. George Dillman and one of his friends usually led the parade in the early 1950's. Around 1956, Gene and Elma Selby were asked to carry the colors for the parade, and did so for the next 36 years. Tom Webster and Jim Liskey from Hornbrook would dominate the all-around cowboy title for the next few years. Jasper Landi was also a tough competitor, who sometimes beat Tom in the Bronc Riding. Many ranchers, wives, kids, businessmen and organizations joined in helping to improve Pleasure Park.
When two original Board of Directors, Fred Browne and Bob Dillman, died in a car accident in 1951, A perpetual trophy with each years All-Around Cowboys name engraved was established in their memory. This trophy has since been misplaced. (We would like to update it, if anyone finds it in their attic, please contact someone on the board.)
George Dillman passed away in November of 1960, but Pleasure Park continued on to be successful. Don Dowling became president in 1961 and was supported by a strong Board of Directors to help organize events at Pleasure Park and they were able to continue the western heritage of rodeo in Scott Valley.
In December of 1964 a disaster struck! A 100 year flood attacked the entire Pacific Coast. Rain on top of a large snowfall in the mountain ranges turned the quiet Etna Creek into a raging torrent. When it was finally over, most of the Pleasure Park grounds, grandstands, corrals , and concession stands were gone. Leaving nothing but a rubble of granite rocks and gravel. When Gene Selby became president in 1965, he and the board decided that this disaster was not the end of Pleasure Park. They were determined to build a new arena in an area where Etna Creek could not destroy it again. But first, the May Rodeo was still scheduled to be held. That May rodeo turned in to a benefit rodeo, barbecue and dance which was held at the fair grounds in Yreka. Eventually land was purchased from Jess McNames in the swampy area just north of Etna near Hwy 3, where the current Pleasure Park sits today. Bob Brdecko took the role of president and engineered the building of the new arena, removal and moving of the bucking chutes from the old arena to the new, and building a new bleachers. Once again the local community jumped in to help. But this time is was not a gradual process. Everyone brought their tools and equipment in March and April of 1966 to complete the project.
On Sunday, May 1st, the 19th Annual Rodeo was held, with Dick Hemsted as stock contractor for the professional events. As time went on, improvements were made as money became available and the land was paid off. In the 1970's, a soft ball park for town teams was built, and bleachers extending along the hillside bank of the arena. In 1996, more major repairs were made including metal and pipe corrals welded in the bucking stock area.
To keep a local feel in this once professional cowboy rodeo, the rodeos are no longer sanctioned by CCPRA but have been opened up into "Open Rodeo's" which still feature the original local events that began back in 1949 and 1950, such as the wild cow milking, cowhide race and the saddle cow riding. Which has famously now become a Siskiyou county championship event at the Siskiyou Golden Fair in Yreka.
In 1966, during the building of the new Pleasure Park, the Scott Valley Roping Club developed and gained a strong membership. They also began a horse show certified by the AQHA, which was held the third weekend in may. Supporters of the roping club and horse show were: Bud Cornelius, John and Carol Spencer, Jane Cassidy, Bob and Darlene Towne, Bob and Bobby Axton, Bob and Julie Brdecko. The horse show was very popular and held until the mid 1970's. For many years the roping club would host one or two team ropings each week during the summer months. In 1966, the Junior Pleasure Park began holding a Jr. Rodeo in July. Dick Hemstead was encouraging organizations to put on Junior Rodeos for teens throughout Northern California and he would bring stock the first few years at his cost. But by 1970, the rodeo was still not drawing a large enough crowd and was losing money. 1971 or 1972 was the last year the Jr. Rodeo was held until the early 2000's, when Bob and Wendy Johnson along with several family members and friends brought back the Junior rodeo for a few more years. Currently the Junior rodeo and the roping club have been put on hold, but will hopefully they will make a come back once again.
During this time there were no light surrounding the arena. But as the Roping Club became a strong force, they spear-headed putting up light for evening ropings and activities. In 1977, when the Pleasure Park Board decided to start the Old Timers Rodeo, decided that an evening show would draw a better crowd. This rodeo has been held the last Saturday evening in July for the past 38 years. The for the old timers rodeo was to allow non-professional local cowboys a chance to compete in roping and rough stock events. The competition was limited to only Siskiyou County residents but in now listed as an Open rodeo as well. Also in the late 1970's it was proposed that a softball field be built. This type of expansion was done as part of the original goal of Pleasure Park; A place for the community to recreate and socialize.
Over the years, the 4-H and FFA have used the arena for several activities. For several years since the 1980's the Etna FFA has held a small country fair in June for the youth to bring their market steers, lambs and hogs for practice in showing and a weight-in 60 days before the Siskiyou Golden Fair in August.
The Success of the Scott Valley Pleasure Park is due to the community and all their hard work. Many volunteers have donated their time, talents, and personal equipment to establish what is now the Scott Valley Pleasure Park Grounds and to continue the George Dillman dream by keeping these facilities alive and well for public use.
To those who have helped in the past and those helping today, the Board of Directors and Officers say "Thank You!"
We will continue the Pleasure Park as a non-profit, community-minded, recreational area. The Scott Valley Pleasure Park is Everyone's. It gives us all a western heritage, of which to be proud.
In 1943, George Dillman became Etna Town Marshal. By the mid-1940's he noticed that there was about 10-12 teenaged girls who rode all the time - frequently holding horse races on main street. He though there should be a central place for them to ride their horses. George conceived the idea of combining this horse area with polo grounds. In 1945,he and his son, Hearst, and Gleason Balfrey, purchased 12 acres from Kenneth Depew. It was a rocky, Sandy area located next to trickling Etna Creek.
George served as the local police, but he also had a leather shop which was also used for socializing with his friends. It was among the conversations with these friends that helped gain support for what was at first just a polo field. In 1947, three local teens asked the polo players if the could put a rodeo on. Jim Johnson, Jasper Landi and Tom Webster wanted to ride rodeo events and the adults organized the first rodeo between polo matches. It seemed rodeo was a good idea because the crowd enjoyed watching it more than polo. In April 1948, the articles of incorporation of the Pleasure Park Association of Etna were filed. The goal of Pleasure Park was to: Promote horsemanship activities and other outdoor recreational activities; and to provide a meeting place for horse lovers. The board of directors listed with the Articles of Inc. were W.D.Pinky Mathews, Fred P. Browne, Ruth Gepford, George R Dillman, Roy Mason, Robert A. Dillman and Frank Bryan - all of Etna.
In September of 1948, George Dillman reminded the people of Scott Valley in the local weekly Western Sentinel newspaper, that the property for Pleasure Park was for the enjoyment of everyone. An arena was built inside the polo field with two bucking chutes at the south end of the arena. Horse Races were run on the resulting track between the two fences. There was a ladies race, a kids race, pony express and men's race. In 1949, Ellen Hayden received one undressed chicken from Etna Meat & Ice for her win in the ladies race. The audience would park their cars around the outside of the fence to watch.
Around 1952, the picnic grounds were improved and gravel was donated by Curtis "Tuffy" Fowler to include a cement slab for roller skating and dancing. The pit-cooked beef barbecue, cooked by Bert Davis, was also started about this time. Play days hosting gymkhana events had been happening on and off as the participants decided to organize one. But, the play day soon began happening the same day as the Barbecue, which is still held in September to this day.
In 1953, huge grandstands were built, seven new bucking chutes, and an announcers stand were built on the east side of the arena. George Dillman and one of his friends usually led the parade in the early 1950's. Around 1956, Gene and Elma Selby were asked to carry the colors for the parade, and did so for the next 36 years. Tom Webster and Jim Liskey from Hornbrook would dominate the all-around cowboy title for the next few years. Jasper Landi was also a tough competitor, who sometimes beat Tom in the Bronc Riding. Many ranchers, wives, kids, businessmen and organizations joined in helping to improve Pleasure Park.
When two original Board of Directors, Fred Browne and Bob Dillman, died in a car accident in 1951, A perpetual trophy with each years All-Around Cowboys name engraved was established in their memory. This trophy has since been misplaced. (We would like to update it, if anyone finds it in their attic, please contact someone on the board.)
George Dillman passed away in November of 1960, but Pleasure Park continued on to be successful. Don Dowling became president in 1961 and was supported by a strong Board of Directors to help organize events at Pleasure Park and they were able to continue the western heritage of rodeo in Scott Valley.
In December of 1964 a disaster struck! A 100 year flood attacked the entire Pacific Coast. Rain on top of a large snowfall in the mountain ranges turned the quiet Etna Creek into a raging torrent. When it was finally over, most of the Pleasure Park grounds, grandstands, corrals , and concession stands were gone. Leaving nothing but a rubble of granite rocks and gravel. When Gene Selby became president in 1965, he and the board decided that this disaster was not the end of Pleasure Park. They were determined to build a new arena in an area where Etna Creek could not destroy it again. But first, the May Rodeo was still scheduled to be held. That May rodeo turned in to a benefit rodeo, barbecue and dance which was held at the fair grounds in Yreka. Eventually land was purchased from Jess McNames in the swampy area just north of Etna near Hwy 3, where the current Pleasure Park sits today. Bob Brdecko took the role of president and engineered the building of the new arena, removal and moving of the bucking chutes from the old arena to the new, and building a new bleachers. Once again the local community jumped in to help. But this time is was not a gradual process. Everyone brought their tools and equipment in March and April of 1966 to complete the project.
On Sunday, May 1st, the 19th Annual Rodeo was held, with Dick Hemsted as stock contractor for the professional events. As time went on, improvements were made as money became available and the land was paid off. In the 1970's, a soft ball park for town teams was built, and bleachers extending along the hillside bank of the arena. In 1996, more major repairs were made including metal and pipe corrals welded in the bucking stock area.
To keep a local feel in this once professional cowboy rodeo, the rodeos are no longer sanctioned by CCPRA but have been opened up into "Open Rodeo's" which still feature the original local events that began back in 1949 and 1950, such as the wild cow milking, cowhide race and the saddle cow riding. Which has famously now become a Siskiyou county championship event at the Siskiyou Golden Fair in Yreka.
In 1966, during the building of the new Pleasure Park, the Scott Valley Roping Club developed and gained a strong membership. They also began a horse show certified by the AQHA, which was held the third weekend in may. Supporters of the roping club and horse show were: Bud Cornelius, John and Carol Spencer, Jane Cassidy, Bob and Darlene Towne, Bob and Bobby Axton, Bob and Julie Brdecko. The horse show was very popular and held until the mid 1970's. For many years the roping club would host one or two team ropings each week during the summer months. In 1966, the Junior Pleasure Park began holding a Jr. Rodeo in July. Dick Hemstead was encouraging organizations to put on Junior Rodeos for teens throughout Northern California and he would bring stock the first few years at his cost. But by 1970, the rodeo was still not drawing a large enough crowd and was losing money. 1971 or 1972 was the last year the Jr. Rodeo was held until the early 2000's, when Bob and Wendy Johnson along with several family members and friends brought back the Junior rodeo for a few more years. Currently the Junior rodeo and the roping club have been put on hold, but will hopefully they will make a come back once again.
During this time there were no light surrounding the arena. But as the Roping Club became a strong force, they spear-headed putting up light for evening ropings and activities. In 1977, when the Pleasure Park Board decided to start the Old Timers Rodeo, decided that an evening show would draw a better crowd. This rodeo has been held the last Saturday evening in July for the past 38 years. The for the old timers rodeo was to allow non-professional local cowboys a chance to compete in roping and rough stock events. The competition was limited to only Siskiyou County residents but in now listed as an Open rodeo as well. Also in the late 1970's it was proposed that a softball field be built. This type of expansion was done as part of the original goal of Pleasure Park; A place for the community to recreate and socialize.
Over the years, the 4-H and FFA have used the arena for several activities. For several years since the 1980's the Etna FFA has held a small country fair in June for the youth to bring their market steers, lambs and hogs for practice in showing and a weight-in 60 days before the Siskiyou Golden Fair in August.
The Success of the Scott Valley Pleasure Park is due to the community and all their hard work. Many volunteers have donated their time, talents, and personal equipment to establish what is now the Scott Valley Pleasure Park Grounds and to continue the George Dillman dream by keeping these facilities alive and well for public use.
To those who have helped in the past and those helping today, the Board of Directors and Officers say "Thank You!"
We will continue the Pleasure Park as a non-profit, community-minded, recreational area. The Scott Valley Pleasure Park is Everyone's. It gives us all a western heritage, of which to be proud.