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John Treanor: Self-Made Man of Action
March/April 2022
 John Treanor and daughter Mary Treanor Schairer at Mataguay Ranch in 1928. Treanor Photo Collection donated by John’s grandson Bill Schairer |
 The Treanor home at Mataguay is now the administration building for the Boy Scout Camp. The oak tree in front was cored and found to be over 1,000 years old. John Treanor Photo Collection |
 The Treanors and their guests visit the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House in 1929. John Treanor Photo Collection |
Editor’s note: This article is based on a talk Kathryn Fletcher, SOHO’s head docent at the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House, recently gave to the Julian Historical Society.
Mataguay is an oak-covered side valley to the Warner Valley and since 1971, Mataguay Boy Scout Camp. The Scouts still use the adobe ranch house and plans call for it to be renovated as a history museum.
But long before that, in the 1920s and ’30s it was the private ranch of John Treanor and his family. A self-made man of the west, Treanor became the president of William G. Henshaw’s Riverside Portland Cement Company. He was instrumental in helping Henshaw acquire the Warner Land Grant and in developing the San Diego Water Company, now the Vista Irrigation District. Treanor also helped build the Lake Henshaw Dam, which was completed on Christmas Day of 1922. Treanor honored Henshaw by commissioning the very informative, limited-edition book called Warner Springs and Its Environs.
A few years ago, the Treanor family donated their vast photo collection to SOHO for safe keeping, along with the book May Our Circle be Unbroken by daughter Mary Treanor. Together, they offer a fascinating glimpse of the life of a family, friends, and business associates enjoying the great outdoors, especially with horses and dogs, and when camping and swimming.
John Treanor fell down a cliff while hiking alone on Catalina Island in 1920. After three days he was found and rescued, but his foot was broken in many places. An infection set in and his leg was amputated from the knee down. But that barely stopped him from his vigorous activities. Sadly, in 1935, while inspecting roof repairs to his barn, he fell and died. His death was a great loss to his family and the Los Angeles business community, as he was on the board of directors of many companies, colleges, and charities. Treanor is buried on his ranch under his favorite oak tree and beneath a huge boulder pushed over the grave by Santa Ysabel Indians, who held him in great respect.
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