Maybe it was the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday with
all the focus on nation building and independence? Or
maybe just coincidence that the Twain Harte Homeowners’
Association was born on July 5, 1974.
In any case, on July 5, 1974, then California Secretary of
State Edmund G. Brown Jr. affixed his signature to a
document certifying the Twain Harte Homeowners’
Association Articles of Incorporation.
The primary purpose of the Association stated in these
Articles is to:
“… carry out the plans, policies, and activities that will
tend to preserve and protect the environment, ecology,
natural beauty and aesthetics of the area commonly known
as Twain Harte, California, which said purposes shall
further extend to the betterment of the welfare of its
members and properties in the fields of zoning, taxation,
roads, streets, and highways.”
With the legal formalities accomplished, the first public
meeting of the Association was held on July 13,1974 in the
multi-purpose room of the Twain Harte Elementary School.
The leadership of the Association recognized the value of
a having a body that represented and could communicate the
needs and concerns of Twain Harte homeowners to the county
Board of Supervisors. This need was more than a “squeaky
wheel gets the grease” scenario. The county Board of
Supervisors did not have an efficient way to learn the
views of the homeowners. The Association, by being able
to show a sizable membership, would be more effective than
individuals in approaching the county board with items of
concern.
To further the influence of the Association, it was a goal
to have at least one member of every property owner family
to register as a voter in Twain Harte. As an early
confirmation that the Association was on the right track,
when then County Supervisor Billy Marr was contacted by
the Twain Harte Daily News (the local newspaper of the
time) and was told of the Association’s July 13 meeting,
he said he was interested and would try to attend.
Although no longer incorporated, today’s Twain Harte
Homeowners’ Association has the same goals as those of the
founders. As our area continues to become more enviable
there is increasing need to be diligent to preserve our
town’s unique character and to work with county government
to maintain our infrastructure and services.
