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By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical SocietySeptember 14, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- Five generations of Hunters will be on hand to celebrate the centennial of Hunter's Nursery on Oct. 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the nursery, 3110 Sweetwater Road, Lemon Grove. Crafts, food, music and, of course, trees, plants and flowers will greet all comers.
Founded in 1919 by Howard and Alice Hunter, the nursery today is Lemon Grove's oldest, continuously operated business and symbolic of the "mom-and-pop" businesses that dominate the town. Hunter's also is the county's oldest, continuously operated family nursery.
In 1918, just arrived from the Bay Area, the Hunters bought land from builder George Simpson (he built the historic H. Lee House in 1928 and his own Tudor style house on Crane Street in 1926). They consulted with pioneer horticulturist Eduardo Treganza and literally broke ground for the nursery that became a byword for high quality and expertise.
Betty Redlein Hunter, doyenne of the nursery, will miss the fun. Born in 1916, our Betty was only slightly older than the nursery she loved and served for decades. We lost Betty on June 13, 2019, age 103.
Betty married Larry Hunter in 1941. Together, they were the second generation to run Hunter's. Their sons Guy and Mark, primarily Guy, became the third generation. Guy and Judith Hunter's daughter, Kindahl, became the fourth. She prunes the roses in Civic Center Park in January, ably aided by Mario, a long-time Hunter's employee (and that's why the roses look so great year-round).
Darling Betty, you'll be with us in spirit! Happy 100th birthday, Hunter's!
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