Chapter History

The Mission Viejo Chapter, NSDAR, was organized by Lois Gerber. She was given the honor of organizing the Mission Viejo Chapter, NSDAR, by the National Board of Management, NSDAR, on June 4, 1983. After much research and submitting three possible chapter names to the National Society, it was decided our chapter would be known as the Mission Viejo Chapter, NSDAR. On February 25, 1984, our chapter’s birth date, twenty-nine members were installed.

The founding officers were: Regent, Mrs. W. D. Gerber (Lois); First Vice Regent, Mrs. Janet Franks; Second Vice Regent, Mrs. Robert Hayward (Rachel); Chaplain, Mrs. Darline Altabet; Recording Secretary, Mrs. K. Hutchison (Rebecca); Corresponding secretary, Mrs. Robert Dozier (Fannie); Treasurer, Mrs. Jack F. Morris (Jean); Registrar, Mrs. P.S. Moyer (Artis); Historian, Mrs. Raymond A. Arnold (Sharon); Librarian, Mrs. Willis M. Dimmick (Beverly).

Our chapter name was chosen based on the local history in this area of Southern California. In 1963, Mission Viejo Company was formed and plans for the development of the community were approved in 1965. Here, the spirit of pioneers became evident when planners and developers, as the early settlers, were starting something from the bare earth. Our western heritage and its very unique Spanish/Mexican beginnings through the various missions of California could not be overlooked.  Mission Viejo means “Old Mission.” Before the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, five missions had already been formed, and during 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was established. This mission was located on the original land grant of Juan Forster, which included the ten thousand acres that now is the city of Mission Viejo, California. At the same time, as our eastern states were separating from England, Caspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra were in the process of Christianizing and colonizing Alta California.

Photos courtesy of chapter members.