The DuValls in Old Borego: A Brief Journey through History

Explore Old Borego’s history, a Borrego Valley community, and the DuVall family who played a significant role in its development.

During our conversation with Denny DuVall, the son of Ed DuVall, we discussed the spelling discrepancy between Borego and Borrego. According to Denny, Borego is the original spelling, and it holds a special place in the area’s history. He noted that developers set out to transform Borego into a tourist destination like Palm Springs, and in doing so, they changed the spelling to Borrego Springs, and of course, he pointed out there are NO springs here!

Visit Denny DuVall’s and Henry the Truck’s website to buy their book, trust us, it’s a good one!

The Borego Valley, surrounded by rugged mountains on three sides, was a remote and isolated place in the early 1900s. The first homesteaders arrived in the valley around 1910, and a little community slowly began to develop. In the mid-1920s, a road was opened up through Sentenac Canyon, attracting more settlers to the area. In 1928, the valley saw significant developments like the opening of the first public school, the establishment of a local voting precinct and chamber of commerce, the appointment of a deputy sheriff, and the creation of the Borego Post Office.

Old Borego is located at 1580 Rango Way.

Eslie Wynn, the first postmaster of Borego, installed a gas pump in front of his home and opened the first gas station in the valley, taking advantage of the increased traffic. In 1929, he built a new building opposite his home and moved the post office across the way, making his homestead a natural meeting place for the residents of the valley. This was the start of Old Borego. Wynn expanded his commercial enterprises by opening the valley’s first store and a garage in 1933, north of the store building. His mechanic, James Thomson, became the new postmaster of Borego, after he resigned as postmaster, Glenn DuVall, took over.

DuVall Brief Timeline

Glenn DuVall successfully established a homestead near Clark Dry Lake in 1929 and became the postmaster of Borego in 1934. He continued as the postmaster and storekeeper and was soon joined by his younger brother, Edward. The DuVall brothers promised customers “a good line of staple groceries” and fresh vegetables every Saturday. Eddie DuVall took over the store and postmastership when Glenn left the valley in 1936 after his marriage. During World War II, the DuValls expanded their business, building an addition between the store and the garage. Despite the discontinuation of the Borego Post Office due to lack of business in 1940, Eddie DuVall kept the store going, and he served as Deputy Sheriff for the valley.

After World War II, the valley began to develop again. In 1945, electricity arrived, and in 1947, the new community of Borrego Springs went on the market, shifting the center of valley affairs northwest to Christmas Circle. Borrego Springs got its own post office in 1949, and the new spelling became official. Eddie DuVall always aggressively resisted the new spelling of Borrego and kept his “Borego” Store open until the late 1950s. Today, Old Borego remains the historic heart of the Borrego Valley, and many of the historic buildings have been preserved by current owners. The stone portion of Eslie Wynn’s original home and post office is the oldest surviving building in the valley, and DuVall’s Borego Store was a local landmark for decades.

The story of Old Borego is a tale of resilience, determination, and community spirit. Despite the challenges of living in a remote and isolated valley, the homesteaders of the Borego Valley built a community that still stands today, The Duvall family

played a significant role in the development of Old Borego, particularly in the establishment of the Borego Post Office, the first store, and the gas station in the valley.

Their business ventures provided essential services for the residents of the valley and brought people together, turning Old Borego into a natural meeting place. Through their hard work and dedication, the Duvall brothers contributed to the growth and development of the community and helped establish it as a vital center of trade and commerce.

The preservation of the historic buildings in Old Borego, such as the stone portion of Eslie Wynn’s original home and post office and DuVall’s Borego Store, serves as a reminder of the pioneer heritage that forms the foundation of modern Borrego Springs. The Borrego Springs Civic Foundation’s open house of the Old Borego Store and residence is an excellent example of the community’s continued efforts to honor and preserve its rich history.

Overall, the story of Old Borego and the DuVall family is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit and serves as an inspiration for future generations.

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