USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 92
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SIMI RANCHO,
A vast tract of about 100,000 acres, is completely walled in from the outside world by continuous ranges of hills and mountains on all sides, save the comparatively narrow valley of the Las Posas Rancho, to the west. It lics south of the Upper Santa Clara Valley, and north of the Conejo Valley, while on the east and south the Santa Susana Range of mountains separates it from Los Angeles County. According to Hoffman, the Simi, or San José de Gra- cia Rancho was a grant to Patricio Javier y Miguel Pico, in 1795, by Governor Diego de Borica; the claim was revived by Alvarado to Noriega, April 25, 1842, and contained 92,341.35 acres. Sixty-odd years ago, it contained about 114,000 acres. Since that time, as a settlement of a dispute as to title, 15 of the whole, or about 14,000 acres were conveyed to Eugene Sullivan. This portion comprising the homestead of the de la Guerras, lies in the north- east corner of the Simi Valley, and is now known as Tapo Rancho. Two thousand acres of the Simi have been sold to Mr. Chaffee, leaving 98,000 acres now owned by Andrew Gray, of Philadelphia. Thos. R. Bard of Hucneme, agent.
Entering the Simi through the Susana Pass, the visitor will see a wilderness of live-oaks; rocks mas- sive as fortresses environ this pass, and immense gray sandstone bowlders are everywhere seen, over- topping the pretty live-oaks growing upon the steep northern slopes which partly inclose the valley. Anything more wild in natural scenery could hardly be imagined. At the foot of these mountains the hills are packed in thick ranks, clothed with apparently unbroken forest; the foreground of the picture is a pleasant valley, with forests of live-oak at the upper end, and clothed with fields of wheat far down the wide plains. Here and there, though far apart, stand the quaint farm-houses of this region.
Of the 98,000 acres of this rancho, but about 11,000 are adapted to farming; 67,000 acres are grazing land, and 20,000 acres are of no use except for bee pasturage. The larger masses of the farming lands are distributed about as follows: Tierra Rajoda, 1,200 acres; Mesa de Casa, 1,500 acres; Cañada de Oso, 2,500 acres; Mesa de Lomas, 2,000 acres, and on the southern
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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
boundary about 2,000 acres. The altitude of the val- ley is about 700 feet above sea level. Messrs. Hoar & Brown, partners in 1880, had the rancho rented for sheep-raising, their flocks numbering about 13,000 head. Mr. C. E. Hoar is a nephew of the noted Sena- tor Hoar, of Massachusetts. These gentlemen sub-let the fine middle valley to farmers for wheat raising, for which the soil and climate are especially adapted. The natural conditions, however, being very like those of the Camulos Rancho, make it extremely probable that all manner of temperate and semi-trop- ical fruits would flourish here. There seems to be no reason why this valley should not become noted for its wine as well, when some enterprising vine-grower shall have made the experiment. Thus far this valley has been especially famous as a stock-raising section. The hills are covered with a fine wild grass, princi- pally the alfileria. The valleys, where not cultivated, grow wild burr-clover in such rank luxuriance that it falls down and dries up into a thick coat of hay, which, with the quantity of clover-burrs it contains, makes the finest fattening food for horses, cattle and sheep.
The old overland stage road from San Buenaven- tura traverses the rancho. In 1876, the Simi and Las Posas Ranchos, containing jointly about 125,000 acres, sold for $550,000, and were assessed at the same time for $172,000.
The Simi Rancho is for sale and lease on the most favorable terms-the same as the Las Posas Rancho. Thos. R. Bard, of Hueneme, is the agent.
TAPO RANCHO
Belongs to the estate of Francisco de la Guerra, and has been established for sixty-odd years. It lies in the northeastern portion of the Simi Rancho, of which it was once a part, having been conveyed to Eugene Sullivan as a result of a title dispute. It con- tains 14,000 acres, of which about 1,500 are arable, the rest being grazing land. At this rancho, amidst a variety of ornamental shrubbery and flowers, there is to be found every variety of fruit known to this clime, from.the hardy varieties of the apple to the delicate orange. The Tapo, being protected by a wall of mountains, and having a rich soil, is peculiarly adapted to fruit-growing. From a vineyard which has been planted forty years, superior wines and brandy have been made. It is claimed that they have never been excelled in this State, and always com- mand a high price and a ready sale. A new and stately adobe mansion, with all the modern conven- . iences, has supplanted the old residence.
SPRINGVILLE
Is situated upon and about the extreme western point of a triangular-shaped tract of land of about 1,003 acres, known as "The Gore," and which is bounded on the north by the Rancho Las Posas, on the south by the Rancho La Colonia, and on the east by the
Rancho Calleguas. It comprises part of the highly delectable vale known as Pleasant Valley. By some accident or error of judgment, this section of country escaped the limits of the Spanish Grants. The state- ment is made, that the omission was caused by a boundary line having been run to include a certain oil district. At all events, the result attained was the throwing open to immediate settlement of one of the finest sections in the county. The soil is unusually fertile, and adapted to the production of all the cere- als, vegetables and fruits common to Southern Cali- fornia. Situated upon the Colonia Rancho, but in the vicinity of Springville, is the home of
J. B. PALIN,
A local authority on stock-breeding topics. He is a descendant of one of the old French families who settled in Canada in the early years of American history, and was born in St. Johns, in the Dominion of Canada, January 6, 1847. He lived in that coun- try until sixteen years of age, when he removed to the United States, and engaged as a farmer at Spring- field, Massachusetts. There he remained for five years, continuing in the employment of farming. Coming to the age of twenty-one, he returned to his native home in Canada, and spent a year vis- iting his family and the scenes of his childhood. In 1869 he emigrated to the Pacific Coast, taking passage from New York, and reaching California by the Panama route. He first located at San Diego, remaining in that town one year, during a portion of that time being the proprietor of the Franklin House. . From San Diego he went to Kern County, and there entered upon the business of farming and stock-raising. In 1873, Mr. Palin transferred his business to Ventura County, and located in the Santa Clara Valley, about one mile and a half from Spring- ville, where he has since resided. Since his residence in this county he has devoted much attention to improved breeds of stock, some of his thoroughbred horses demanding a special mention. Among his stock is the celebrated stallion, " Governor Morton," by John Morgan, foaled in 1878; is sixteen and a half hands high, and weighs 1,420 pounds. He is a blood bay in color, and about as handsome as the equine family ever grow to be. The artist has made a sketch of this fine horse, which appears in this volume. Another of this gentleman's fine animals is " Eva P.," who is noted for her running qualities. She was sired by the well-known racer, " Ben Wade;" was foaled in 1879, and, in her two-year-old form, won the Ben Wade stakes on the Ventura track, July 4, 1881.
The Santa Clara Ditch, which has a large flow of water, taps the Santa Clara River three miles above Springville, passes through the Santa Clara del Norte Rancho and Springville, and extends six miles south upon the Colonia Rancho. The company that built this ditch was chartered in 1871.
The town of Springville, in 1880, was a thriving
EVA P.
J. B. PALIN PROPRIETOR. SPRINGVILLE VENTURA CO. CAL.
GOVENOR MORTON
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EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY.
little town, with post-office, store, hotel, blacksmith shops, school house and church. It is a lively center of trade, especially during harvest time, and is a con- venient stopping place for teams from the Las Posas, Callegnas and Simi Ranchos.
The stage road from San Buenaventura to Los Angeles passes through the village, which is distant from the county seat twelve miles, and from Huen- eme ten miles.
The Baptist Church Society of Springville, known to the conference as the Pleasant Valley Church, num- bered forty-one members in October, 1878, amongst whom may be mentioned as prominent, Rev. C. C. Riley, Deacon J. Sisson, John Mahan, Wm. II. Walker, J. B. George, and J. G. Belien, and many others. They had had no regular pastor for two years. In 1879 the society numbered thirty-nine members, and assisted in maintaining a union Sabbath-school. In 1880 Rev. C. C. Riley preached to the society most of the year. The Sabbath-school was continued.
On October 14, 1881, the Santa Barbara Bap- tist Association held its fifth anniversary at the Pleasant Valley Church. The church owes its pros- perity to the indomitable energy and persistence of the Rev. W. O. Wood, its founder.
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH.
On November 23, 1878, Rev. W. O. Wood organ- ized an Independent Baptist Church, with fifteen members, and himself as pastor and moderator. The society took the title of " Little Flock." In- fused with some of the indomitable energy of their leader, the society set about building a church in 1880. W. O. Wood was chosen Chairman of the Building Committee and Superintendent of construc- tion; B. Lehman, builder. The site, a five-acre lot, was donated by Thos. R. Bard, and is within that part of the town that is built upon the Colonia Rancho. The contract was for a little more than $1,600, but this was enlarged afterwards to 82,666. The subscription list was at first limited to members of the society, but after- wards was circulated amongst the residents gener- ally. Among the largest donors were Thos. R. Bard, R. G. Livingston, P. B. Hawkins, Samuel Hill, and Cyrus Bellam, who pledged from $60 to $200 each. The edifice was erected, and dedication services held November 27, 1880, the sermon being preached by the Rev. J. W. Riley, of Illinois. At that time there was still due on the building $663. A collection resulted in the sum of $210, leaving 8453 unpaid. As, according to the rules of the denomination, the church could not be dedicated until free from debt, the Rev. Mr. Woods generously assumed the bal- ance, making $903 in all that he subscribed. The church is a suitable structure, built with a gallery and possessing an organ, and a 1,400-pound bell, costing $200, both purchased in 1880. Its roster at present contains only nineteen names, thirty-two in all having been connected with the church.
No debt or other incumbrance on the building
hangs like a hideous vampire over the consciences of its members. This society was recognized by the association in 1880.
As the settlement of Springville and vicinity was the result of a sobrante, or failure of the big ranchos to cover the land, any record of the settlements will be of general interest, as showing what the whole country open to settlement would have been :-
Edward Arnold, 120 acres; Cutler Arnold, 40; Mathew Arnold, 320; Henry Arnold, 160; Samuel Guthrie (renter) 320; John Sebastian, 92; J. and G. Gries, 2,000. Extensive and thorough farmers mak- ing a specialty of grain and hogs: B. F. Laswell, 180 acres; A. Laswell, 160; John Riggs, 40; J. B. Robbins, 160, generally fruit; Christine Thomas 40; Betsy Diehl, 40; James Fenton, 160; P. B. Hawkins, 200; Leroy Arnold, 160; Michael Kelly (renter), 240; Wm. Ruttner, 600; B. Hording, 160; Bartch & Bonhomme (renters), 200; Harvey Evans, 160; W. O. Wood, 480; John Crinklan, 140; Eugene Foster, 100; D. Roudebush, 160; Mrs. Melinda Hart- man, 80; Isaac Harris, 135; Cyrus Snodgrass, 160; J. B. George, 160; Robert Buckingham, 160; and Wm. Walker, 170.
WM. A. HUGHES
Is one of the reputable and well-to-do denizens of Pleasant Valley, who, by persistent endeavor and force of character, have conquered all obstacles to the achievement of a comfortable home and the pos- session of a bit of God's foot-stool. He was born October 1, 1837, in Pennsylvania, near the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. When eight years of age his parents took him to Illinois, settling in Hancock County, of that State. When twenty-two years of age Mr. Hughes learned the cooper's trade, and made that his occupation until 1864, when he crossed the plains to California. His first home in the Golden State was at Marysville, Yuba County, and there be remained one year. While a resident of Marysville he married Miss Marietta Barnet, a native of Illinois. From this marriage he has seven living children, three being daughters and four sons. In the fall of 1865 he moved to Tehama County, where he engaged in teaming and farming until 1869. In the last- named year he came to Ventura, locating in Pleasant Valley, about four miles east of Springville, where he has since lived, a prosperous farmer and stock- raiser. A view of the premises of Mr. Hughes will be found in this work.
CALLEGUAS RANCHO
Lies south of and over the hills from the Las Posas Rancho, east of the La Colonia, from which it is separated by Government lands, north of the Guad- alasca, and west of El Conejo. The extension of Pleasant Valley forms a portion of its surface. José Pedro Ruiz was made the grantee, May 10, 1847, the area called for being 9,998.29 acres. Abont half of the tract is fitted only for stock-raising; the balance
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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
is arable, most of which is now producing the cereals and flax, corn being considered the best crop. There is no timber. A small vineyard produces excellent wine. A considerable portion of this rancho has living springs upon it, which sub-irrigate a large surface, rendering it peculiarly adapted to fruit. Oil springs make their appearance in many places, which, however, have never been utilized. The property now belongs to the estate of
Juan Camarillo
Who was born in the city of Mexico, May 27, 1812. His father's name was Luis Camarillo, his mother's, Maria Rodriguez Camarillo; both natives of Mexico. After having been educated in his native country, at the age of twenty-two he removed to California, his first location being Santa Barbara County, where he remained until 1859, engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the latter year he came to what is now Ventura County, which place he made his home. At the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1880, he owned what is known as the Calleguas Rancho, a tract of land situated east of the La Colonia and twenty miles east of San Buenaventura, and con- taining 10,000 acres of land.
On the 12th of April, 1840, he married Miss Mar- tina Hernandes, a native of California. Fourteen children blessed this union, of whom seven are liv- ing at present, three sons and four daughters. The Camarillos are reckoned among the best of the old Spanish stock, having occupied many positions of trust and honor in times past.
EL CONEJO RANCHO,
Or Rabbit Ranch, was a Spanish grant of 48,674.56 acres to José de la Guerra y Noriega, October 12,
1822, by Governor Sola. It lies east of the Calleguas and Guadalasca Ranchos and south of the Simi, which also forms part of its eastern boundary; the county of Los Angeles completes its eastern and forms its southern boundary approximately, which latter is but from four to ten miles from the coast. It is cradled between the Guadalasca or Conejo range of mountains on the south and west, the extension of the Susana range of hills on the north, and the Susana and Santa Monica mountains on the east. The rancho opens seaward to the west by a small valley and ont across the Calleguas and La Colonia Ranchos; altitude above sea level, about seven hun. dred feet. It is situated a little south of east from the county seat, at a distance of twenty-five miles from it. This beautiful spot is barricaded by mount- ains from fogs and wind, and protected from the sum- mer sun by forests of evergreen oaks, making its climate similar to the Ojai, which has gained a celebrity as a health resort for persons suffering from throat, lung, and other diseases. The valley is well watered by springs and small streams-the main creek running through it for five or six miles, and finally reaching the Las Posas Creek. The scenery is grand and beautiful, the road winding through forests of oak, presenting the features of a natural park. The soil is of a black, loamy nature, rich and deep, inexhaustible in fertility, and, owing to its ele- vation above sea-level and distance from the ocean, it is all that could be desired for the production of wheat and the culture of the finest semi-tropical fruits and flowers. The grazing lands are among the best in the county. The hills, cañons and mountain- side afford fine bee-pasturage, and here the natural home of the honey bee is found. A fine commodious hotel is open for the accommodation of tourists, vis- itors and health-seekers; elevation, 640 feet above the sea. It is an L-shaped structure, about sixty-six feet on each front, and was built by James Hammel in 1875 at a cost of $7,000, in anticipation of a great overland travel via the Butterfield route, established by Congress. Game is plenty, and the stages afford an easy and cheap mode of conveyance to and from this beautiful and valuable rancho. The Conejo school house is a neatly-finished and well-furnished building, in sight of the stage station, and is midway between Los Angeles and San Buenaventura. The Conejo Post-office, styled "Newbury Park" in the postal guide. was established in 1875 with E. S. New- bury as Postmaster. H. H. Mills succeeded him in January, 1879. It is thirty-two miles from San Buenaventura and twenty miles from Hueneme.
H. W. Mills purchased one-half of the Conejo grant in 1872-73 from the heirs of the estates of Captain José de la Guerra and Rodriguez. Henry W. Old has a mountain or upper mesa ranch, fourteen miles from Hueneme, where he has a large stock range which he keeps well covered with cattle. The Snodgrass Valley in the southern part of the rancho, is wide
RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF JOHN MEARS SANTA PAULA CANYON VENTURA CO. CAL. .
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CENTRAL PORTION.
and level and well adapted to grain and fruit. It takes its name from that of its owner. Messrs. Sex- ton and Borchard are also located in this section.
John Edwards owns about 9,000 acres of the Conejo Rancho, which he uses mostly for stock-rais- ing, though there are a number of fertile tracts of an aggregate acreage of 6,660, susceptible of cultivation. It is well watered and magnificently wooded with white and live-oaks. Several dwellings and barns have been erected, as well as other improvements made. Edwards' Proper wheat is famous for its quality. A part of his wheat lands are for sale. Samuel Hill, formerly of Buckeye Valley, Amador County, has secured possession of 7,000 acres of beautifully situated land, and with his fam- ily has anchored upon it for the rest of his days, after a somewhat tempestuous life voyage. The Arnold Brothers own a ranch of 3,000 acres on the Conejo. No irrigation is needed for the growth of small grains and many varieties of vegetables. IIow- ard & Whitesides own a portion of the Conejo called the "Potrero" (pasture) from its nat- ural inclosure of mountains. They each own twelve quarter sections. Howard has about 500 acres of bottom-land adapted to fruit. The visitor who may be so fortunate as to enjoy his hospitality in the fruit season, will find his table crowded with the choieest products of Pomona's kingdom, while Bacchus would not long go athirst. Frost is a seri- ous detriment to grape culture. Two thousand two hundred acres of the Newbury tract, of which 1,000 acres are level, rich land, were sold in 1882 at $5 per acre. In the same year A. and H. Russel bought 6,000 acres above Newbury Park in the vicinity of the post-office, for $15,000. One thousand eight hun- dred acres of this ranch is fertile and even surfaced. The water is cool and pure. Distance from Hueneme, twenty-five miles. Newbury Park and Russel's place are dubbed " The Triumpho," from the de la Guerras having once successfully fought the Indians there, or, as others say, having gained the ground by a suit at law.
CHAPTER XL.
CENTRAL PORTION.
Santa Clara Valley-John Mears, Joseph H. MeCutchan-Fruit- raising-Abner Haines - San Miguel Rancho-Raymundo Olivas-George G. Sewell-Santa Paula y Saticoy Rancho- Rev. S. T. Wells-Briggs' Orchard-Settlers in 1867-Mich- ael Fagan-Other Settlers-N. W. Blanchard - Orange Orch- ard-James A. Day-G. W. Faulkner-Pork-raising-John F. Cummings -- Towns-The Farmers' Canal-Chrisman and Willoughby-Good Farmers-M. D. L. Todd-John Mc- Kenna-Santa Paula-S. P. Guiberson-Saticny-Geo. F. Rotsler-Santa Clara Del Norte-New Jerusalem -Sespe Rancho- Scenega- B. F. Warring-The Camulos-San Francisco Rancho.
THE Santa Clara River has its source seventy miles in the interior, beyond the Soledad Pass in the rug- ged canons of the San Gabriel Mountains; thence its course is west by south, gathering volume from sev- eral large tributaries, mainly from its northern slope, and finally breaking through the Santa Barbara range of mountains at Santa Paula, about fifteen miles from the coast. It ends at the sea-shore in the usual estero which has no visible communication with the sea, save when in winter the floods tear away the intervening wall of sand. Several considerable streams empty into the Santa Clara between Santa Paula and the eastern boundary of the county, all from the north. At Santa Paula is the creek of the same name, formerly called the Mupu; east of this is the Sespe, and near the boundary line, the Piru. In the canon of the first-named creek is the abiding place of
JOIIN MEARS,
Who, after struggling through many phases of ad- verse fortune, dangers, and hair-breadth escapes, and while still on the bright side of life, finds himself the owner of many broad acres and a pleasant home. This gentleman was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1844, where he spent his infancy. IIe was taken across the ocean to New Orleans by an aunt when nine years old. Remaining at New Orleans for two years, he went to Massachusetts, to which State his father had emigrated with four chil- dren. He remained with his father in Massachusetts for two years, and then returned to his aunt in New Orleans, remaining there another two years, when he went to Illinois and engaged at farming. At that labor he continued for two years, when he removed to St. Louis, where he stayed about nine months. In 1859, then a stalwart and self-reliant lad of fifteen years, having accumulated by his labors sufficient money to buy an outfit, he started upon a journey to Pike's Peak, the region that has since grown into the rich State of Colorado. Tarrying but five months in that new Territory, he concluded to separate from those who had accompanied him thus far, and to push on to California. He was at that time the owner of three yoke of cattle, and with that capital he formed a partnership with an inexperienced German, who
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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
was the possessor of a one-horse wagon, to which the cattle were hitehed, and procuring the other neees- sary supplies, the two started on their journey to the Pacific. Many perilous adventures were experienced on their travels, they, at one time, being upset in the bed of a raging torrent, from which they were res- eued by a party of Government freighters. Many other dangers were encountered in their long and tedious journey of six months, but finally the young and verdant pair arrived in the land they sought. Young Mears first sought and obtained employment as a farmer on the Cosumnes River, near Hick's Ranch. He remained thus engaged for two years, when he undertook teaming aeross the Sierra to the silver mines of Nevada. In this he established a business of supplying the hotels along the road with groceries, continuing the trade until 1867. In 1868 he was in San Franeiseo designing to establish a furniture store, but the great earthquake of October, that year, frightened him from his new enterprise, and he abandoned the eity with its threatening walls, and retired to the country. Forming a partnership with two others, the party put in 200 acres of barley in the San Joaquin Valley. The crop being promis- ing, he was enabled to dispose of his interest to his partners, which again left him free. These various enterprises had brought him to the year 1869, and to the age of twenty-five. His experiences had been many and severe, as, boy and man, he had wandered in different parts of the world. Under great disad- vantages he had achieved success, and was ready to settle in a permanent home. In 1869 he removed to Santa Barbara County, and engaged in raising horses, cattle, sheep, and swine, loeating at his pres- ent home in 1870. This is in Santa Paula Cañon, three miles from the village of Santa Paula, where he has 640 acres devoted chiefly to grazing. Mr. Mears was married in 1874 to Miss Elleu Lavalle, and two boys are the hope of the family.
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