Christmas 2008

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.  ~Janice Maeditere

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A Visit To The Rancho With Vicky & Del (December 11th)

Rancho Los Alamitos (Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods) was originally known as Povuu'nga. The story of Rancho Los Alamitos reflects almost every era of the history of Southern California. Beginning around 500 A.D. when the mesa was an important ceremonial and trading center for the Tongva people, the story flows through the Spanish and Mexican periods, spans the great cattle raising years, the early 20th Century oil discoveries, and moves on into the rapid urbanization that followed World War II.

Today, surrounded by modern development, the old ranch house, four acres of tranquil gardens, and barns stand as vibrant reminders of Southern California's rich historical legacy. There are five agricultural buildings, including a working blacksmith's shop, live farm animals, four acres of nationally significant gardens designed by the preeminent landscape architects of the 1920s-1940s, and a sprawling adobe ranch house dating from c.1800. Walk around the site and enjoy this rare oasis and the shared legacy of regional culture and environment.

Circa 1936 It Was Alone Upon A Hill Overlooking The Countryside

The estate circa 1936
As seen from the air in 1936

Rancho Los Alamitos is a small fragment of land that has been occupied continuously since 500 AD. Today, the remaining 7.5 acres are a symbol of the evolution of Southern California. Almost every era and major event in the history of Southern California has left an indelible mark on the rancho and can be witnessed through the lives of its occupants. Rancho Los Alamitos sits on land once occupied by the Tongva-Gabrielino Native American people. Around 500 A.D., and for more than a thousand years, it was the area of Povuu’nga or “Gathering Place,” a scared ceremonial and trading center of the Tongva people. The site was a small part of their 1500 square-mile territory that covered most of present-day Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The ranch remains a revered place among the Tongva today.

Pictures Are Always Worth 1000 Words

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Our passes were for 5:30, just after the sun had set

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
After a short wait, we were escorted to the Front Door which has a huge patio

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Del examines the photo...  That is Signal Hill in the background

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
These houses were for the ranch hands that were married and had families

Pictures were not allowed on the inside and we follow the rules!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The road went up into the back of the house

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The inside was furnished just like it was in the early days of the home.

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Looking back toward the parking lot

 

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Sue and Del discuss the finer points of the photo... The big spot to the right of the road is where Cal State Long Beach is now located!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The second set of pictures after Paul's big camera was found to have no chip

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Paul, Sue, and Aunt Kaye

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Paul & Aunt Kaye

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Vicky!  This is a family friendly outting!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Vicky and Del now behaving!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The lights were magic

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
We had carolers  to entertain us while we had spiced wine

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Sue explored the gardens

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Night time photos of the small patio

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Del and Paul remember the old electric heaters built into the walls

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
We had a full moon... Glad it was not October!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
It was a great adventure

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The moon was coming up over the trees

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The same patio by day light (the magic of the internet)

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The business office for the ranch

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Del was casing the joint!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Now that there is a wreath

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
Eerie lighting made the place magical

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
The moon was up and we expected witches to be flying in soon!

Visit to the Rancho Christmas 2008
It was a bright evening!

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