About Us

Our chapter was originally founded in Paradise Township, Nevada (NV), on October 15, 1966; the chapter was disbanded on October 16, 1971. The chapter records of the Paradise Township, Old Spanish Trail Chapter NSDAR were destroyed accidentally, making the disbandment difficult. However, we do know that the 1966 Founding Regent was Eva Kerby Gillhouse. The chapter was reorganized July 29, 1994, and chartered October 15, 1994, in Henderson, NV., which was the 130th anniversary of Nevada's Statehood. The members of the 1994 chapter were Organizing Regent Carol Bowers Farwell; Isabel Haven, Vice Regent and Chaplain; Mary Heenan, Treasurer; Fairy Ryerson, Recording Secretary; Joanne Nelson, Historian; Laura Garvin, Librarian; Beverly Blackford, Registrar; and Sara Brown, Mrs. David R. Howser, and Jeanne Smyth. Old Spanish Trail Chapter NSDAR is proud to have had three members serve the Nevada State Society as Regent: CAROL BOWERS FARWELL, MARY GRIFFITH TOLENO HEENAN, *KIMBERLY PATERSON WHITFIELD * Mrs. Whitfield is the only chapter member to have held a national vice-chairmanship. Our chapter currently has over 50 members and continues to grow! We are proud to say that our chapter is involved in multiple projects that support the National organization.

The Old Spanish Trail is actually a 1,120-mile route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, which was traversed by Spanish padres in the 1700s and later by traders and settlers. In 2002, The Old Spanish Trail was designated as a National Historic Trail.

The Old Spanish Trail has been called the most arduous and difficult trail in the United States. With Native American historical roots, the trail was used by the adventurous and opportunists bringing textiles from Santa Fe to trade for mules and horses in Los Angeles beginning in the early 1800s. Spanning more than 2500 miles, parts of the trail were used by fur trappers and later by railroad and military surveyors.

The Old Spanish National Historic Trail was established by Congress in 2002. Its designated routes cover six states and some 2,700 miles, traversing mountains, deserts, rivers, and coastal valleys. It was historically used by curious and brave, enterprising, and sometimes nefarious men, forging trade routes between the Mexican cities of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican woolen goods were traded for California mules and horses, but the trade also included furs, hides, and even captives.

Regent - Claudia Hunt

Vice Regent - Lynn Hartman

Chaplin - Christine Damalas

Recording Secretary - Sue Gordon

Corresponding Secretary - Connie Barlow

Treasurer - Amy Jeffreyes

Registrar - Kellie Reed

Historian - Sallie Yurovchak

Librarian - Trish Pulver

Parliamentarian - Jane Bettencourt-Soto

Vivian Surwill 2020-2022

Susan Hoge 2017

Margaret Hendrickson 2014-2017

Judie Keller 2014-2014

Sherry Kniffin 2012-2014

Jamie Cornell 2008-2012

Carolyn Schmalz 2006-2008

Barbara Hunter 2004-2006

Marvyl McQuatters 2002-2004

Jerrie Pearson 2000-2002

Margaret Farwell 1996-2000

Carol Farwell 1994-1996