The following notes are from A History of Vista by Harrison and Ruth Doyle, C 1983, Hillside Press, Vista, CA:

"A native Scotsman, George M. Cosh came to Vista from Toronto, Canada on Oct. 1, 1925 with A.B. Ormsby and subsequently set up the 'Ormsby Plantations' in the Vista Grande area. Graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, at age 16; was made a life member of the Royal botanical Gardens at age 18. Peeples, Scotland, was his birthplace. Prior to his association with Ormsby, he taught horticulture at Cornell University, New York for three years. He pioneered the commercial growing of avocados in this area." *

". . . A.B. and Sarah Ormsby . . . purchased 700 acres on East Vista Way. George M. Cosh planted 400 acres of this land to avocados, 200 acres to passion fruit and approximately 100 acres to tomatoes. The rans was called 'Ormsby Plantations.'"

A.B. and Sarah Ormsby were the parents of Ivy Ormsby Fotheringham who was married to Joseph H. Fotheringham, later to become the first mayor of Vista." (P.269)

"In Nov. of 1927 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin invited a group of Christian Scientists to their home . . . Attending were . . . Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Ormsby." (P.89)

*Ormsby and Cosh followed West India Gardens (20 acres in 1913) and a few others. "The advocates of the planting of this fruit say the avocado is the most valuable fruit grown. A fair sized avocado will make a substantial and appetizing meal for one person. It is most easily digested, wholesome, of high nutrituous value, and builder of blood, bone, and muscle." (P. 125, from the May 24, 1913, Oceanside Blade newspaper)