Mahlon Vail, seen in early 1960s, spent much of his time on the big ranch he loved so well in Temecula. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Rebecca Marshall FarnbachSpecial to Valley NewsMahlon Vail’s story starts with his father’s success story and how it set the scene for Mahlon’s life and his love for Temecula. Walter Vail left his home and family in New Jersey on the day he turned 21. With $100 in his pocket, he left to seek fame and fortune in the West.When Walter didn’t strike it rich in the silver mines of Virginia City, Nevada, his Uncle Nathan in Los Angeles urged him to buy a ranch in Arizona to start a cattle business.Believe it or not, it was on their Arizona ranch where Walter made it rich with silver. He and some partners developed a huge ranching enterprise southeas
