Long on our list of iconic Southern California sites to see was Rancho Camulos , the Spanish land grant rancho in the Santa Clara River Valley near Piru that inspired Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel of old Californio life, Ramona
On Sunday, we had a chance to explore the grounds and structures of this National Register landmark, now both a museum and a working citrus ranch still dealing with the ravages of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It is a most picturesque place, containing many layers of California history, artifice and mystery.
We hope you enjoy our photos from this captivating place. Kim’s are in the slideshow below, and Richard’s can be found on Flickr. If planning a visit, see the museum website . Recommended reading: Ramona Memories: Tourism and the Shaping of Southern California.
National Register plaque. Romantic courtyard view in the old house. Long screened porches in the old house. Charming door furniture in the old house. A fisheye view of one of the covered porches. Of course the home of Ramona has a collection of old bells. This bit of window furniture rocks gently in the wind. The Rubels, who restored the property. Tipi-style metal fireplace. A 1940s-era kitchen shows its lath and plaster construction and a cute hutch. Cowboy-themed fireplace cover. Mod Western chandelier. Bricks soak up the afternoon sun. Restored fountain with chapel behind. Chapel exterior. Chapel, outer hall. Chapel, giant clam shell font. Chapel, inner sanctuary. Chapel, sacred heart window. Schoolhouse. A spider's home in the old wood. Zanja water source with precarious wood cover. Approaching the new house. Note swastika bricks. The new house, courtyard arches to frame the hills. The new house, courtyard arches to frame the hills. Lion door furniture on the new house. Charming window in the new house. The new house, courtyard arch to frame the hills. Rear of the new house. Courtyard of the new house. Front door window in the new house. Old truck in the citrus grove. Old winery building, waiting for Northridge earthquake impacts to be addressed. Outbuildings have a wonderful patina. Old gas station for the farm hands' use. Old gas station for the farm hands' use. Old gas station for the farm hands' use. After: a stop at the Oak of the Golden Dream, where gold was discovered in So. Cal
