Gift Certificates and Guest Referral Program

We're proud to introduce two new programs in response to guest comments and suggestions. First, we now have nicely printed gift certificates that you can purchase in any denomination as gifts for your friends. Visit our website at http://www.jamulhaven.com/GiftCertificates.html and we will then mail the certificate to your intended recipient.

Second, we have initiated a guest rewards program. Earn one night for every ten nights that you or your friends stay at Jamul Haven. To join the program and begin earning rewards, visit http://www.jamulhaven.com/Referral.html to sign up. Then have your friends reference your reward number when making their reservations and earn credits towards a free stay.

Jamul Haven History, The Giffords Build Jamul Haven

In 1888 Charles and Rachel Gifford moved from Michigan to Jamul to take advantage of free or low cost land to grow olives. At the time Jamul was still very much the "wild, wild west." The Ladies Club met at the Barrett Ranch (still existing and a few blocks from Jamul Haven) and choir practice was held at the D.C. Maxfield Ranch. The ranchers held a system of parties with two guitars and a violin, food and drinks, and dancing at the Kimball apiary house and would commence at dusk and run until daylight (San Diego Union March 30, 1887). By 1888, Murray & Saxton operated two blacksmith shops and were building a butcher shop, a man named Blythe was building a two story wooden store and public hall, and William Barrett was building a hotel (San Diego Union January 17, 1888).

The Gifford family selected the Mission olive as their initial stock provided by pioneer nurseryman Ernest Benard, who owned a 13-acre nursery business in Mission Valley in 1887. These trees were grown from cuttings taken from the remnant olive orchards across the street from Mission San Diego de Alcalá. The Giffords also cultivated Ascolano olives, which were more robust and produced more olive oil. The 1900 United States Census showed Charles listed olive oil manufacturing as his occupation. Residents of Jamul have reported unearthing olive presses in their yards.

The San Diego Union promoted olive agriculture as a viable industry and noted “long newspaper articles have recently been published giving figures showing the immense profit attending its production, accompanying them with directions how to grow the trees and make the oil” (San Diego Union March 25, 1872). The article noted T.G. Davis leased Mission San Diego and produced olive oil that rivaled the best from Italy. It took eight gallons of dried olives to create one gallon of oil. Davis reported each tree provided 90 gallons of olives and the land supported 90 trees to the acre with an annual yield of 8,100 gallons of oil. In 1872, olive oil sold for about $5.00 a gallon and his olive oil income amounted to $2,812.50. Davis also reported the young trees produced commercial olives in four years time, but the trees took eight years to reach maturity, and then they continue to produce olives until they died. Moreover, he predicted that in eight years five acres could produce a steady $14,062.50 per annum. A March 17, 1887 article in The Weekly Union went into great detail about the potential profits in producing olives in San Diego County, and referred to the tree as “king of the orchard fruits.” This article promoted production of both pickled olives and oil, as both preserve a long time and could be shipped by rail to markets across the nation.

Jamul Haven was apparently constructed by the Gifford's in phases over a number of years. During renovation the structural elements revealed that the building had been built in three phases (main house, parlor, kitchen). A 1904 photo shows the house in its current configuration with mature landscaping around the house. A block of wood discovered in the walls dates that wall (and presumably, the house overall) as being completed by 1899. A mortgage on the house was recorded in 1895, so the house was complete in some configuration as of that date. And the Giffords presumably had some form of shelter to live in between 1888 and 1895.

Next week, more about the history of the Gifford Olive Works.

Romantic Getaway #3: Back to Nature

For this romantic getaway you'll return to our evolutionary roots, getting back to nature. Check-in during the evening and sit around the fire in our fire-pit under the stars, sipping wine and roasting dinner over the fire. Enjoy the audio CD "Poems of Nature" as you relax (available from Jamul Haven for $9.95). Retire to our outside spa to observe the movements of the constellations (we'll help you to find them in the Jamul night-sky). The next morning, wake up to help feed the chickens and gather fresh eggs, which will then be cooked for your breakfast. Make a trip to Simpson's Nursery, a Jamul landmark since 1928, to browse through the plants, visit the old car museum, and select a tree which you'll plant somewhere on our six acre grounds. We will add a permanent marker to the tree with your names and date of planting. Using the binoculars and bird watching guidebooks that we'll provide, hike the Jamul Haven property and surrounding hills trying to identify as many species of birds as possible (we've identified over 50). Finally, end your day by resting in our double hammock and listening to the wind rustle the leaves overhead.

St. Patrick's Day Special

Join us on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, and for an extra $20 per person enjoy an all-you-can eat Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, and green beer.

Make your reservations now and be sure to reference the "St. Patrick's Day Special." Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.

In This Issue:

Upcoming Local Events

Selected fun San Diego events that are worth a trip.

3/15, 6:00 PM - Midnight, HooleyFest with 2 bands and lots of food. Located about 3 miles from Jamul Haven. www.hooleyfest.com.

3/17, 4:00 PM - Midnight, Sham Rock 2008. The Gaslamp Quarter will once again be transformed into the rolling hills of Ireland, thanks to over 40,000 square feet of green Astroturf. $20/$25

Now through 3/26 High Art: Concept Cars and Automobile Design, San Diego Automotive Museum in San Diego

4/18, Ketner Nights, San Diego's Little Italy. Art galleries in San Diego's art district open their doors and give you a chance to talk to the artists.

4/26-4/27 Artwalk, San Diego's largest art festival.
http://www.artwalksandiego.org/

7/19-7/20 Gay Pride parade and festival http://sandiegopride.org/

Jamul Haven Specials

We are continuing to offer our introductory rate special of $199 per night, which includes a gourmet breakfast for two cooked to order.

Innkeeper Update

John and Glenda have joined us full time, giving us four full-time staff to pamper you.

Vladimir Spasojevic and William Roetzheim completed their work on the music for "Eliot," and we're now preparing for a summer premier of the show.

William's play Lowell will be read by the Scripteasers and everyone is invited to this free, fun event. The Scripteasers have been reading plays since 1948. More info at http://www.scripteasers.org/.

Marianne has opened her gift shop, so now you can shop right here at Jamul Haven!

Elizabeth received her Navy wings and is in the process of moving to Jacksonville, FL where she will learn to fly P-3 aircraft.

Our son Will finally got a haircut, much to our delight.

Jamul Haven passed a rigorous inspection and was admitted to the very elite group of properties that are part of ILA Chateau. This group selects a few unique B&Bs in each country that pass their high standards for quality and features, then recommends these properties to their elite clientele in Europe and the U.S. Learn more at
www.ila-chateau.com

In The News

For links to these articles, visit http://www.jamulhaven.com/links.html.

The San Diego Union Tribune published a half-page write-up about Jamul Haven on February 21st. The article was headlined, "Bed and Breakfast has Historic Charm, Modern Amenities."

Travel writers Eric and Nancy Anderson wrote a very nice article about Jamul Haven titled, "Jamul Haven: A Search for Privacy."

Hints from Yesteryear

Hints from "The Everyday Cook-Book," (c) 1889 and found in the Jamul Haven Angel House.

To restore from stroke of lightning, shower with cold water for two hours. If the patient does not show signs of life, put salt in the water and continue the shower for an hour longer.