Menifee Pioneers

  

 

Luther Menifee Wilson (1845-1899)-  He is considered the founder of this area. He was born in Sterling, Kentucky in 1845. He was a miner and established the Menifee quartz mine here in Menifee, located where current day Holland and Murrieta roads cross. He came to the area in the 1880s and mangaged about about 200 acres of land. He established various claims. Many other prospectors came to the valley, which eventually earned the name Menifee Valley. In 1899, he apparently died due to complications of alcohol use.

Sources: Luther Menifee Wilson, in NC Times, Menifee could have been named Wilson,  and in the Temecula Valley News. 

 

Robert Kirkpatrick- owned land where the current Menifee lakes is. He and his wife, Callie, had four sons. Callie Kirkpatrick elementary is named after her. The first school in Menifee was established by her in 1890 and was believed to be located nearby the current school.

Source: Callie Kirkpatrick elementary 

 

William Newport-  An English immigrant. Obviously the source of Newport Avenue.

 

Chester W. Morrison-  He and his wife moved to Menifee from Kansas. He has a school is named after him. If you have additional information regarding the Morrison family, please email me at info@cityofmenifee.com