WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Wrightwood History => Topic started by: snwbnny on Mar 18, 04, 01:04:55 PM
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Okay, does anyone really know how to pronounce Phelan? John and Ken were told by residents that it was Fee-lan but Eric Leonard (KFI news guy) was told Fay-len. Each group was getting mad that the radio guy was pronouncing it wrong. So how is it really - or is there a right way?
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I just happened to read about this the other day, the answer can be found under the history topic on the Wrightwood history website topic, it was the topic for October 2003 called Phelan's Yesterdays.
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It's Feelan. Phe- is an open syllable, which is pronounced with a long vowel sound. At least assuming Phelan is now an American word. I suppose we could go back and find sometime when it was pronounced Faylen and that was correct, but I think, since it is a proper noun, that the pronunciation should be whatever the consensus of those living there choose it to be. I heard the disagreement between Eric Leonard and John and Ken and had to laugh. I called it Faylen when I first came here, but I was quickly corrected by someone in a real estate office.
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WWDREAMN is right about our history pages including information on the subject:
Here's a file in PDF format about "Feelin":
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/WrightwoodHistorical/WrightwoodRoots/d10phln.pdf
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I was always told by friends that lived in Phelan that it all depended on how old you felt. Either pronounced feelin or failin
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If you go sit at the bar at Blue Ridge when Chuck is tending ask him about Phelan / Pinon Hills in the "old" days. He has lived in the tri-community area his entire life. He's got great stories to tell! And yes, it is Feelin.
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So, is there anything to the rumor, that Serrano High School was named that to honor the Serrano Indians which lived in the area, and not because the district didn't want the school known as "Feelin High"?
And yes, that is a joke. ;D
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Ouch! And no further comment... ::)
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[smiley=aninotes.gif]Phelan......nothing more than Phelan..... [smiley=aninotes.gif]
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See, that's another reason it should be 'Feelin". There are all those cool songs about our little town.
Hooked on a Phelan...
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Phelan Groovy
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I've got a wonderful Phelan!
Everything's going my way!
;D
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Phelan great! [smiley=sunny.gif]
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I almost forgot this one:
http://www.phelancalif.com/
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A friend of mine once used the alternate pronounciation "felon" - he was quickly corrected! ;)
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The Senator was Phaylin', the town/city is feelin'! The name was assigned by the US Postal "Service."
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I was always told by friends that lived in Phelan that it all depended on how old you felt. Either pronounced feelin or failin
very good!
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Phelan like we need a new joke book. ;D
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Just remind him it's an age thing.You're either "feelin" or " Failin"
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my neighobor says Faylen... There older too...
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It's Feelin'.... thats why the high school is Serrano High school, and not Phelan High
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Phelan was named for James Duval Phelan (1861-1930) a U.S. Senator from California.
When we moved here in 1979 we were told by many "old timers," some plenty old enough to have know Senator Phelan, that he pronounced his name "Fee-lin."
I personally had a difficult time with it because, at that time, I was working with a man who pronounced his own name "Fay-lin." However, we each have the prerogative of pronouncing our own name any way we want and the man Phelan is named for pronounced his name "Fee-lin."
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In the sixties and seventies when I was coming up here with my parents, the town was called "failin." The pronunciation changed later; I heard because the city administrators didn't want the town to be associated with failure. I recall some argument going on, because at first, some wanted to completely change the town name. But in the end, the pronunciation was what changed.
I believe Serrano High school was once called Phelan High, but when the town changed the pronunciation, the obvious drug reference led to changing the school name to Serrano.
Anyone hear something different? ;)
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The town has alway's since It's Inception been pronounced Feelan (So I have heard). As I was growing up I'd heard It said the alternative way but they were mostly the mallards who had recently migrated to the high desert. They quickly began pronouncing the name correctly. My family has owned property near Wrightwood since 1966 and My mother has also confirmed It was Feelin then.
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I believe Serrano High school was once called Phelan High, but when the town changed the pronunciation, the obvious drug reference led to changing the school name to Serrano.
Anyone hear something different?
Hobbes,
Serrano has always been Serrano, the first three grades voted when the school opened on name and school colors.
Never been feelin,feylan, failin or Phlean HI
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Rumors, Rumors, Rumors! ::)
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The rumor that I heard and I think it may have been in the roots pages on this site ( I will have to look) Was that it was named after James Phelan who pronounced it Faylen, by the post office or some other arbitrary party, but that the residents of the area were not happy about it so they purpously mis pronounced it feelin.
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When Julie & I come up, as soon as I see the 1st signpost, I always sing... "Phelan that way" And she always sings;
"OOOooooh anytime that you want me...OOOooooh anytime that you need me" (It's a JOURNEY thang!) {I Love my girl!}
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"Phelan.
"Nothing more than Phelan.
"Trying to forget my...."
Sorry. Just kind of wandered off there for a few minutes....
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"Phelan.
"Nothing more than Phelan.
"Trying to forget my...."
Sorry. Just kind of wandered off there for a few minutes....
;D ;D ;D
Someone was a out in the sun a little too long on Saturday. Or maybe it was the stress of trying to figure out how a fire hydrant works. ;D
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Let's see.
You hit the top thingie with a rock, right?
(http://www.dansees.com/images/photos/51.jpg)
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Never seen curbs in Wrightwood before ;D
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No gasket.
That's why it's leaking.
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I'm in the process of starting up a Heating and Air Conditioning business in this area. My wife and I have been brainstorming on what to call the business. I suggested "Phelan Cool". Not surprisingly, my wife wasn't too fond of it. Nice try though.
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Da da da da , da da da , Phelan groovy...(appologies to Simon and Garfunkel) ;D
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You've lost that loving Phelan :drummer:
I can't believe I am starting to miss Phelan. Brutal Honesty Maybe a new topic.
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S_D you use to live in phelan?
my neighobor says Faylen... There older too...
My neighobors wife got on his case about saying faylen... now he says it the right way.
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