Step into Montebello history and explore the enduring legacy of Marge “Poncho” Villa Cryan, Montebello’s hometown baseball champion and a trailblazer in early women’s athletics.

This permanent exhibit honors Marge’s remarkable journey, from joining the Orange Lionettes at age 14 in 1940 to helping secure the Southern California championship. Through archival photographs, artifacts, and historical context, visitors can learn about her impact on women’s sports and her lasting influence on Montebello’s community history.

The Marge Villa exhibit offers a meaningful opportunity to discover the story of a local athlete whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Why Marge “Poncho” Villa Matters

Marge “Poncho” Villa Cryan’s journey began as a spirited “tomboy” with a deep passion for baseball. At just 14 years old, she began playing with the Orange County Lionettes, where her talent and determination quickly set her apart. At a time when opportunities for women in sports were limited by social expectations, Marge’s dedication helped pave the way for greater visibility and recognition of female athletes.

In 1946, she joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) as a member of the Kenosha Comets. Known as a skilled catcher and respected team leader, Marge earned All-Star recognition and served as team captain during her professional career. Her accomplishments contributed to the growing legitimacy of women’s professional baseball and helped challenge longstanding stereotypes about women in athletics.

Today, Marge Villa’s legacy continues to resonate through local history, women’s sports scholarship, and community memory. Her story reflects both the challenges and achievements of early female athletes and remains an important part of Montebello’s cultural and sporting heritage.

Unmasking Wild West Outlaws:

Murrieta & Vasquez

This past Montebello Historical Society exhibit explored the enduring legends and historical complexities surrounding California outlaws Joaquin Murrieta and Tiburcio Vasquez. Set against the turbulent early years of California statehood (1850s–1870s), the exhibit examined how their stories became woven into Western folklore, local history, and cultural memory.

Through photographs, books, artwork, music, historical documents, and interpretive materials, the exhibit presented multiple perspectives on these controversial figures. While often remembered as bandits, both Murrieta and Vasquez have also been viewed through broader historical lenses shaped by social tensions, migration, and changing ideas about justice in the American West.

One section explored the unusual history of Murrieta’s severed head, which was reportedly preserved as a public curiosity before disappearing in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Another examined Vasquez’s lengthy criminal career and highly publicized trial, highlighting how media coverage helped shape his legacy.

Rather than offering a single interpretation, the exhibit encouraged visitors to consider how history, folklore, and popular culture intersect in shaping the reputations of figures like Murrieta and Vasquez.

You can read more about the original exhibit opening on our blog!