In 1969 two local historians wanted to memorialize some of the pioneers who had either passed through or helped shape the community of Temecula.  Tom Hudson, editor of The High Country, and Sam Hicks, a contributor to the quarterly, decided to create a public monument to these pioneers.  Hudson approached the Chamber of Commerce and gained their support.  Hicks secured the donation of a 150-ton block of local granite, and all equipment and labor.  Hicks designed and did a large part of the work to create the monument himself.

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Hudson and Hicks were asked to submit a list of names to be engraved on the monument.  Fifty-six names were selected for inclusion, with Walter Vail being the most recent Temecula arrival to be recognized.  The name of Aguanga pioneer Jacob Bergman was inadvertently left off and was later carved in with a hammer and chisel.

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The monument was dedicated to the community in 1970, and the little park in front of the museum was renamed “Sam Hicks Monument Park” after his death in 1979.