Ramona Archway: A Symbol of Community Pride and Perseverance

The Ramona Archway is a testament to our town's spirit, built through collaboration and dedication by our town's people. The Association were winners of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce's Non-Profit of the Year; Led by longtime SDCE residents and local business owners Jim Piva and Stephanie Norvell, the project brought the community together to create something lasting.

An Unexpected Beginning

A simple accident—when a car hit a banner—led to Jim meeting and befriending some Cal Trans workers over 10 years ago. He had no idea this connection would one day help him achieve his dream of building an archway to welcome people to Ramona.

Adapting the Plan

Initially, he envisioned the archway over Main Street, but state highway rules prevented it. Jim tried for years to get approval to build the archway, but with no success. Then, he studied traffic patterns and found a better location with high visibility. This flexibility allowed the project to move forward.

Community Effort

No project succeeds alone. Jim and Stephanie relied on a network of friends, leaders, and volunteers. Contributions came in many forms: funding, volunteer labor, and expertise. Key supporters included:

•       Joel Anderson, County Supervisor, who secured grant funding.

•       Steve Welborn (Cal Trans) and Murali Pasumarthi, the Deputy Director of Transportation, both helped by working diligently to obtain the necessary permits.

•       Ramona Chamber of Commerce, along with numerous local contractors who provided their expertise and labor with great care and speed.

A major turning point came when retired builder Chip Rumis offered to manage the project. Encouraged by his family, he became part of a "dream team" and kept the project on track. Jim's wife, Melanie, also played a key role, managing their business so he could focus on the archway.

Lighting the Way

One of the most striking features of the archway is its illumination. The design team drew inspiration from Ramona's beloved "Welcome" sign at Highland Valley Rd. It is so cherished that a brief outage once sent residents into a flurry of concerned phone calls. The archway features stunning lights that change colors at the push of a button. Whether glowing white or displaying festive colors, the archway is breathtaking. "In our opinion, this is the most beautifully designed and constructed archway we have ever researched," says Norvell. The archway has no plaque to acknowledge the person who built it. Instead of highlighting a single individual, the absence of a plaque serves as a tribute to every volunteer, contractor, and local business that played a role in the archway's creation.

The Big Reveal

After years of planning, the archway was finally unveiled. As the lights illuminated the structure, the crowd erupted in applause. Residents celebrated not just a sign but a symbol of community pride. One person even mentioned that the archway might help increase property values on Main Street, showing that the project was not only visually stunning but also beneficial for the town.

Looking Ahead

The archway is a representation of perseverance and teamwork that Jim and Stephanie hope will stand for generations. But their work isn't done. Plans are underway for two additional monument signs, already designed by Leslie Souza, to welcome people to Ramona and further enhance Ramona's charm.

Lessons and Gratitude

Jim and Stephanie want to share a simple piece of advice: building something great takes time. They believe the best way to complete a project is to get the community involved. When everyone helps, the work is loved by all who take part.

They are very thankful to every person who helped. Though there are too many names to list, they thank all the volunteers, helpers, and community members. Their hard work, kind donations, and many hours of effort made the project possible. They are very grateful for every bit of help.

A Lasting Legacy

Today, the Ramona Archway stands as a strong symbol of what our town can do when we work together. It tells the story of chance meetings, big dreams, and hard work. From a small accident with a banner to a bright, shining archway, the journey was long and full of lessons.

This project shows that when a community comes together, nothing is impossible. The archway reminds us of our strength, our unity, and our love for Ramona. It is a beautiful mark on our town that will be enjoyed by many for years to come. The Ramona Archway is here to stay, and it will always remind us that together, we can make our dreams a reality.

Photos courtesy of Jim Piva, Shelly Mullin, and Heather McGhee.