Near Piru in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Camulos, Ventura Co. California
Welcome to Rancho Camulos, a National Historic Landmark. Ygnacio del Valle established Rancho Camulos and began building his adobe home here in 1853 on what was part of a 48,000-acre Mexican land grant awarded to his father. Originally a cattle ranch, by the 1860s Rancho Camulos began producing a range of crops including citrus, apricots, walnuts, almonds, pomegranates, olives and grapes. Rancho Camulos also produced some of the finest wine and brandy in 19th century Southern California. The rancho gained cultural significance through Helen Hunt Jackson's bestselling novel, Ramona, written shortly after a visit the author made here in 1882.
August and Mary Rubel purchased the rancho from the del Valle family in 1924. The Rubels diversified and increased agricultural production at Camulos, while working to preserve their historic adobe home. The ranch remained a private residence until the 1994 Northridge earthquake severely damaged several buildings. A dedicated group of volunteers joined forces with the Rubel family to restore Rancho Camulos, and the non-profit museum was opened to the public in 1997. As one of the few land grant ranchos still preserved in its original rural environment, Rancho Camulos Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Camulos as experienced by the people who lived and worked here during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bienvenidos!
Erected by Rancho Camulos Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 34° 24.333′ N, 118° 45.403′ W. Marker is near Piru, California, in Ventura County. Marker can be reached from Telegraph Road (California Route 126), on the right when traveling east. Located at Rancho Camulos Museum, two miles east of Piru. Open Sundays 1-4. The marker is next to the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5164 E Telegraph Rd, Fillmore CA 93015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Del Valle Family Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Juan Alvarado (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rancho Camulos (about 400 feet away); Portolá Expedition (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Piru Mansion (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Francis Dam Disaster (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fillmore Fish Hatchery (approx. 7.4 miles away); First Commercial Oil Well In California (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piru.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on April 18, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.