From the files of the Sheriff's Museum:

First Lady with a Badge

The biography of Mrs. Olive Belle Chambers, as given in McGrew's History of San Diego, states: "On the 11th' of August 1913, Mrs. Chambers was regularly appointed Deputy Sheriff, and has the distinction of being the first of her sex to be thus appointed in California." Lifted from its context, the above quotation is historically interesting and emotionally cold.

Mrs. Chambers became the mother-in-law of Fred N. Jennings, son of Fred M. Jennings, the 18th Sheriff of San Diego County. Frank also had a younger brother, William H. Jennings, an attorney in the law firm of Jennings, Engstrand, & Hendrickson. Lake Jennings was named after him as he was the General Counsel of the Helix Irrigation District specializing in water law. He died February 15, 1983 at the age of 84, Frank and William's uncle Frank S. Jennings, was the 16th Sheriff of San Diego County.

Mrs. Chambers was known affectionately to almost two generations of San Diegans and was a living personification of a sort of pioneer trinity. She was a covered-wagon baby, California's first petticoat turn-key, and an angel to the fallen.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1859, Olive Field came overland by oxen train to Sonoma County, California, with her parents in 1863. After maturity, she taught school and then married while living in the same area. Her husband's stagecoach business and experience brought them to San Diego in 1890 in connection with a stage line between this city and Ensenada, Mexico.

They lived in Ensenada for seven years before returning to San Diego, and lived across "D" Street, now called Broadway, from the old Courthouse. Her house sat right where the new Federal Courthouse is located today. The jail was inside the courthouse until the 1911 jail was built on the comer of Front and "C" Streets, where the courthouse lawn is now. Here began Olive Belle Chambers second lifetime as an angel of mercy. For a third of a century - and much of the time with no pay whatsoever - Mother Chambers devoted her life to the health and welfare of prisoners, particularly women prisoners. She carried them food from her own kitchen. It might be noted that for some unknown reason the jail kitchen was below street level in the basement, some distance from the cellblocks. Mrs. Chambers organized biweekly concerts, and above all lived a life of such poise, purpose and femininity that a mere verbal tribute became the understatement of the year. 

Attorney Jennings father, Fred M. Jennings, commenced to pay Mrs. Chambers small amounts from his own salary in order that her fine work might continue. At last, the County picked up the tab. She must have been some great lady for the supervisors to pay her, as old records indicate that the Sheriff's constables were all compelled to sue for their wages and costs around this time. 

When Mr. Chambers passed away in 1912, his widow continued for two more decades as one of the grandest personages in the courthouse history. She passed away in 1933 at the age of 74.  Not only did the inmates, but also the Sheriff and his staff miss her. 

Great ladies, such as our "First Lady with a Badge" are few and far between.

Author unknown