Valle Verde Retirement Community is built on the site of the Rutherford family walnut grove. Steven and Verde Rutherford began this orchard around 1920. He died in 1954. They were Christadelphians, a rather small but devoted Christian church. By 1955 she had developed financial problems that caused her to think of selling their land. One night she had a dream that her late husband appeared and asked her not to sub-divide the property into home sites, but to find a way to devote the land to God’s service.
At about the same time in 1954, the California State government surveyed housing needs for the elderly, including the Santa Barbara area. The person responsible for the local survey was a real estate agent and a member of the First Baptist Church. Not long after the survey was completed, a church committee was formed to look into developing a Christian retirement community for Santa Barbara.
Considering the advice Mrs. Rutherford had received from her dream, she let it be known to local church groups that her orchard was for sale, but its’ location in Hidden Valley was considered too far out in the country to be of interest for a congregation. Her next idea, in light of the year-round creek and two artesian wells, was to use the property for a church camp, but it was considered "too close to town" for a camp. Westmont College was contacted but school officials felt they needed more ground for athletic fields.
Hearing that the Baptists were considering housing for seniors, Verde Rutherford went to see them and said "God has sent me with your land." After looking at her property, an emergency meeting of the committee was held. Figuring what total income she might need for the rest of her life, Mrs. Rutherford offered 65 acres of her orchard for $45,000, which was far below its real value. In 1958 the First Baptist Church of Santa Barbara bought the land and formed a corporation to found a home for seniors. Construction began in 1965. Four apartments opened for residents in late 1966, and the dining room and health center opened in early 1967. In 1967 an additional 11 acres were purchased from Mrs. Rutherford.
Valle Verde’s first administrators were Jim Welch and Wes Trautner. A resident, Edna Smith, was office manager and served as acting administrator briefly when Mr. Welch left.
In 1970 ABHOW (then know as American Baptist Homes and Hospitals of Northern California) was asked to manage Valle Verde. Ray Schneider from ABHOW’s San Joaquin Gardens Retirement Community in Fresno agreed to be the administrator, a position he would hold for over 26 years. In 1972 ABHOW and the Santa Barbara Baptist Homes merged, and the new name ABHOW was chosen because Valle Verde was the first community in Southern California to become part of the new statewide affiliation.
In 1977 the Health Center expanded to 49 beds, and Bill Webster became assistant administrator. The residential apartments on the North campus opened in 1982. The West campus, including Quail Lodge Assisted Living, the library, and outdoor pool, was built in 1987.
Mrs. Rutherford died in 1987 and her family, in keeping with her wishes, gifted her final 3.7 acres to Valle Verde, which included her cottage home. Prior to her death at the age of 90, she had 11 acres remaining that she wanted Valle Verde to have. The parcel was determined to be too hilly for our purposes. The parcel was sold and developed into Hidden Oaks Estates above Valle Verde’s West campus.
Wes Trautner suggested Valle Verde as the name of our community as well as several of the street names. Of course, Valle Verde is Spanish for "green valley," but Verde was also the given name of Ms. Rutherford and the name was taken to honor her major part in our development. Calle de los Amigos, Spanish for "street of the friends," was so named at the request of the board. Mas Amigos means "more friends." Calle Sastre ("street of the tailor") is in recognition of Ray Schneider’s service as administrator for so many years. Schnieder is the German name for "tailor."
Community service has been a hallmark of Valle Verde since its earliest days. Residents, board members, and employees have been involved in the beginnings of Hospice of Santa Barbara, Pilgrim Terrace Cooperative Senior Housing, SHIFCO Senior Housing, and Villa la Esperanza. Our catering department has provided Meals on Wheels to the Santa Barbara area since 1989.
