What a fun afternoon I had a while back meeting Jim Feryan. He was just a little boy when he got to ride with his dad driving the lead car, up the Mountain, with the mirror for the Observatory following behind. Jim brought a few old photos. Click to see “Then and Now with Jim” and read a little about his happy memories from the good ole days.
(When the photo link opens, you can read more at the bottom of most pages then click on that first photo to enlarge. Click “next” at the top right of the photo page to scroll through the photos).
Bonnie Phelps
Editor, Palomar Mountain News since 1998
Palomar Mountain News 
Bonnie: Thank you for the interview with Jim Feryan. I remember Jim’s dad when I was a young boy at Palomar. I’m not sure what Jims Dad’s first name was but I called him “Ferd”. Ferd was instumental in keeping the Bailey homestead machinery running and in good condition. He was in charge of running the water pump for the Bailey subdivision and help keep the engine running that supplied electricity to the Bailey’s main house and a few close cabins back in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Ferd could do anything and would do anything to help. He was a man of many talents. He would often take me with him when he had to go somewhere on the mountain. He and Gladys lived in at least two different homes in the Bailey subdivision. Their last home was up by the water tank just off Bailey Meadow Road. Ferd Feryan will always be well rememberd on the mountain.
By: Steve Bailey on October 17, 2010
at 7:20 pm
What a nice surprise to see the photos and comments about Jim Feryan today! My parents were good friends with Ferd and Gladys during the early 50’s, when Ferd worked at the observatory. He even took us on a private tour of it one day …….a wonderful treat and one I remember so well. Ferd and Gladys lived on Bailey Meadow Rd. and also at the “monastary” at the observatory where we visited them. Thanks so much for the trip down memory lane.
Alicelynn Ekberg Cockrill
By: Alicelynn Cockrill on October 17, 2010
at 3:09 pm