“Thanksgiving night the A. O. U. W. will give a ball. Persons masked admitted free; unmasked, 10 cents. Five dollars will be given the lady having the most original and best sustained costume; also, $5 to the gentleman likewise excelling. Good music. Supper 25 cents.”

From the “Cajon Clusters” column of the Poway Progress newspaper, October 29, 1896, p. 2. A. O. U. W. stands for Ancient Order of United Workmen, a mutual aid organization established by railroad workers after the Civil War. It existed into the late 1920s.

Get Updates Automatically-Become A Follower of the San Diego History Seeker

You can get regular updates of San Diego History Seeker automatically in your email by clicking on the “Follow” button in the lower right corner of the blog page. You’ll then get an email asking you to confirm. Once you confirm you’ll be an active