Frances Lane Loves To Watch Things Grow
By AMY ROSETE
The Spanish tiled gazebo is back-dropped by her three proud horses wandering
through their lavish corrals. Surrounding it all are the flower-laden hills of
the Antelope Valley.
“I’ve never been a
mover,” Lane says. “I like to watch things grow.”
For all of her life that is exactly what Lane has done.
As we walk through her home, she recalls her personal history, and the
history of the Antelope Valley, with flawless detail.
Frances and her family have truly ‘watched things grow.’ During the walk she
points out pictures of the Valley and members of her family from as early as
1914.
Among them are pictures of what may have
been Lancaster Boulevard in 1914, a panoramic view of Lancaster blanketed in
snow in 1947 and a photograph of her grandparents taken under the largest Joshua
tree in the valley that was once near Avenue K and 60th St. West.
The house is rich with history, but that’s not
all. It is also rich with life, specifically, the life of Frances Lane.
The Lane family first settled in the Antelope Valley in 1908. Lane’s grandfather
and Grandmother Lane were introduced at the Western Hotel in Lancaster by the
hotel’s proprietor, Mertie Weber. The couple was married in 1913.
A spectacular display of her grandmother’s wedding dress and the ring pillow
from the wedding, which was crocheted by her great-grandmother, decorate one
hallway of the house.
Frances Lane was born on
Lancaster Boulevard in 1939 and spent the first part of her life in an area of
the Valley now known 10th St. West and Avenue I. Later, her family relocated to
their own ranch.
She attended Antelope Valley
Joint Union High School and was crowned Miss Quartz Hill before graduating in
1957.
After high school, Frances showed horses
for many years. “I’ve always had horses,” she says. “No matter what else I may
be doing, I’ve always remained active with the horses.”
In the early 1960’s, she became a stewardess for American Airlines. Frances
spent three years as a stewardess based out of Dallas and San Francisco.
“That was a time when you had to be unmarried and under 32 to be a stewardess,”
she recalls.
Her old caps hang like medals
above a picture of her in uniform.
“It was
such a fancy job,” she says with a smile.
When her job with American Airlines ended, Frances spent many years barrel
racing in rodeos. Pictures of her riding her horse, Glass Eyes, adorn one wall
of her special ‘gallery room.’ Her niece now races in what is becoming a
family tradition.
“She races much more than I
ever did,” Lane says.
In between barrel
races, Frances did some modeling for a friend’s agency while living in Fresno.
“I did that for about 10 years,” she recalls, “but that was just a part time fun
thing.”
After returning home she joined the
Model’s Auxiliary. Photographs of Lane and her modeling
friends fill one corner of the
gallery. Once a month they get together and have dinner.
At about the same time, Frances also took on the role of painter. She painted
with a Russian artist whose workshops she attended in Idaho. She also took
several art classes in Mexico. At one point, her entire house was her studio and
she spent time painting everyday. Her artwork surrounds you as you ascend the
spiral staircase in an atrium just off her bedroom. Pictures of the desert and
poppies embrace the area.
“I entered the fair one
year and ended up winning best of show the first time!” she says.
In the late 1990’s, she rode with the Death Valley Wagon Train on two different
occasions. She displays a picture of her on the mule from one of her trips.
“It was a really neat experience,” she reflects, “but it was certainly real
camping. I took my tent up and down everyday for a week. After doing that two
years in a row, I was pretty much done.”
After growing up in a family of ranchers, Frances Lane is now the proud owner of
her own homestead. Hacienda Lane Ranch is tucked down in a valley in the
Southern Hills of the Antelope Valley.
“I could have
built on top of a hill, but I love looking at these mountains, and it’s a nice
feeling to be nestled in and secluded,” she says.
The house is truly magnificent. Each plant is impeccably trimmed while still
exhibiting a natural flow. The trees surrounding the drive and the lawn are
adorned with strands of tiny white lights. Iris and rose bushes border her
covered carport. An impressive Spanish style fountain greets guests on the west
side of the driveway. The lawn is a vibrant green and impeccably manicured.
Everything is set off by the tall ranch house covered in ivy.
In addition to caring for the ranch, Lane plays host to numerous community
events throughout the year. In the past, she has hosted events for the Los
Angeles Medical Association, the Civil Military & the Woman’s Rotary Club. This
year, she will add the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Junior Chamber, to
her list of guests. Lane also hosts a Ladies Flower Walk each May.
“I love to entertain and this is such a great place for it,” she says.
However, it’s not just community events that
Frances entertains. She has also had the great joy of witnessing numerous
marriages over the years. Dozens of friends and family have spoken their vows
under her tiled Spanish gazebo. Lane enjoys making her own personal paradise
available to as many friends and family as possible. Her beautiful ivy covered
balcony overlooking the lavish grounds, has afforded many a bride with the
perfect wedding pictures.
“I just like to make
things nice for people and I enjoy making everything around me look pretty,” she
says.
So, what’s next for this remarkable lady?
Her answer - “I am always looking for new ways to improve things around the
ranch. I believe that where you live… it can be your own little palace. The
ranch is like my little oasis and I love making it beautiful.”
She also plans on hosting special events and weddings and will be continuing to
add to her expansive collection of Antelope Valley history.
(661)943-4483