The Canyon Lake City Council recognized Elinor Martin as Canyon Lake’s February Citizen of the Month. Martin was honored for her long-standing devotion to Canyon lake and her rich history with the city.
Martin’s history with Canyon Lake dates back to a time when what is now known as Canyon Lake was known as Menifee Valley. Her family owned much of the land in the area until her grandfather, Henry Evans, sold 1,150 acres to the Temescal Water Company in 1927 so the water company could build the Railroad Canyon Dam. The construction of the dam was completed in 1929.
Martin is a lifelong resident of the area. She has lived in the same home on Loch Lomond Drive since it was built in 1960, eight years before the development of Canyon Lake.
When the development of Canyon Lake started in 1968, Martin’s parents, George and Leta Evans, were granted a lease from the water company and opened Evans Fishing Camp at Indian Beach, which was later relocated to what is now known as Holiday Harbor Park.
The Martins also operated the Canyon Village Store for the Corona Land Company and owned Martin’s Landing, which included a boat rental business near the Village Store at Holiday Harbor and a storage facility located on the Martin’s property on Loch Lomond Drive. The Martins sold the storage facility in 1999.
In 2018, the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association installed a monument at Holiday Harbor Park honoring Martin and her family.
Canyon Lake’s Evans Park and Menifee’s Evans Road and Evans Ranch Elementary School are named after Martin’s family.
Martin is the author of Images of Canyon Lake and co-author of Images of Menifee Valley.
In 2016, Martin helped to form the Menifee History Museum. Many of the Canyon Lake items on display there today were donated by Martin. For the past 10 years, Martin has served as the president of the Menifee Valley Historical Association.
In addition to being recognized as Canyon Lake’s February Citizen of the Month, Martin will be honored tomorrow at the Menifee City Council meeting for her dedication and contributions to the City of Menifee.
The Canyon Lake Citizen of the Month initiative was created in January of 2021 to honor Canyon Lake residents for their service to the community. Each awardee is recognized by the mayor with a certificate. Community members are encouraged to nominate Citizens of the Month by submitting their name and a short paragraph detailing their good work to [email protected]. Residents of all ages are eligible to be nominated for this recognition.
