Have you ever met anyone who called the same place home for 60 years? If you knew Ruth Ralphs then, yes, you have. Ruth, who said she had never considered leaving, was easily one of the longest-time residents of Gorman, a tiny town in the northwest corner of Los Angeles County.
Back in the 1950s, about the time Ruth arrived in Gorman, Highway 99 ran right through the heart of town. Since there weren't many stopping points between L.A. and Bakersfield back then, Gorman bustled with activity. A cafe, run by the Ralphs family, had to keep a graveyard shift with six servers to keep up with the business, as passengers spilled from the Greyhound bus and weary motorists stopped to refresh themselves. The small town also boasted a gas station, repair garage, market, post office, hair salon and bar.
Ruth was a central figure in Gorman life. She served for years as a board member of the Gorman School District and the local water district. She ran a variety of businesses in the community and was often invited to participate in L.A. County functions at the personal request of Supervisor Michael Antonovich. An ardent USC football fan, Ruth also loved the arts and was especially honored to befriend Christo and participate in his renowned 1991 umbrella installation that dotted the rolling hills of Gorman and Tejon Ranch.
Ruth passed away in December, just shy of her 91st birthday. We miss her clever wit, engaging stories and zest for life, and we remain grateful for her friendship and her involvement in Friends of Centennial. Ruth was a long-time supporter of Centennial who looked forward to the resources a planned community would bring to the region.
Ruth always relished the view from her home, where she said she could keep an eye on all of Gorman. Despite her passing, we have the feeling Ruth is continuing that vigil, just the way she likes it.
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