The Ojai Valley Museum Walking Tour docents recently took a tour of the historic Camarillo Ranch House. Ojai walking tour coordinator, Cricket Twichell, arranged the tour with her friend Cynthia Simpson, who is the Ranch House Decor Chairwoman. Cricket has donated items to the Ranch House including her mother's antique lace collection, which is on display. The tour was a real treat for me because, even though I've lived in Ventura County for over 20 years, I had never been to the Camarillo Ranch.
Not only does Cynthia Simpson coordinate the enormous task of installing seasonal decorations at the ranch house, she also coordinates the acquisition of historical furniture and other household items donated to the ranch and arranges the display of these objects in the house.
Photo from right to left: Cynthia Simpson, Barbara Washburn, Rose Boggs, Cricket Twichell, Helen Peterson, and Vincent Peterson
Photo from right to left: Cynthia Simpson, Barbara Washburn, Rose Boggs, Cricket Twichell, Helen Peterson, and Vincent Peterson
 Daughter Ave Maria's bedroom |  Adolfo's office with saddle |  Youngest daughter Carmen's bedroom |
 The Camarillo Ranch house is the historic home of the Adolfo Camarillo family. The 4.5-acre site was originally part of the nearly 10,000-acre Rancho Calleguas land grant given to Jose Pedro Ruiz in 1847 and purchased by Adolfo Camarillo's father, Juan Camarillo, in 1875. Adolfo, the oldest son, took over the ranch upon his father's death in 1880. Adolfo (1864-1958) married Isabel Menchaca (1861)1936) and they had seven children, with 5 growing into adulthood. Adolfo changed the ranch operations from mostly raising cattle during his father's era to growing lima beans, barley, corn, alfalfa, walnuts and citrus. The Camarillo House was built in 1892 by Adolfo and others from a design by architects Franklin Ward and Herman Anlauf. The 3-story, 14-room house is a Queen Anne-style Victorian. The City of Camarillo was given the property in 1997 and formed a non-profit public benefit corporation to manage it in 1998. The City of Camarillo restored the exterior and foundation of the house, including seismic retrofit upgrades, the installation of exterior lighting, a new roof, utilities and other improvements. The Camarillo Ranch Foundation, with generous support from the community, has restored the interior of the Camarillo House. The Foundation also installed a new electrical system, fire sprinkler and alarm systems, new driveways and parking areas. Public restrooms, as well as the conversion of a portion of the tack room to an office and gift shop as also completed.The restoration of the ranch was completed in 2001. |  with imbedded glass & stones  |
Adolfo Camarillo was short of stature (5-feet tall) but big in every other way. Often called "The Last Spanish Don", he was a leader in numerous organizations and businesses and founded the City of Camarillo. The official seal of Camarillo, incorporated in 1964, is of Adolfo on a white horse. He gave 50 acres for the first high school in Camarillo, which is named after him, and land for the expansion of St. John's Seminary.
But Adolfo may be most known for the development of a breed of horse called the Camarillo White Horse. The Camarillo White Horses became famous over the years as they paraded and performed at fiestas and other activities throughout the State. Often dignitaries would be seen riding the Camarillo White Horses including President Harding, Governor Ronald Reagan and the son of President Gerald Ford.
The Camarillo family never bred the horse as a business, so eventually the breed had dwindled significantly. Breeders are now successfully bringing the white horses back.
But Adolfo may be most known for the development of a breed of horse called the Camarillo White Horse. The Camarillo White Horses became famous over the years as they paraded and performed at fiestas and other activities throughout the State. Often dignitaries would be seen riding the Camarillo White Horses including President Harding, Governor Ronald Reagan and the son of President Gerald Ford.
The Camarillo family never bred the horse as a business, so eventually the breed had dwindled significantly. Breeders are now successfully bringing the white horses back.
 The formal gardens and grounds were also part of the ranch restoration. The fountain is a restored original called "Isabel's Fountain", named after one of their daughters. |  Bunya Bunya Three trees on the ranch are listed in the California Historic Tree Registry:1892 Moreton Bay Fig (3rd oldest in the State), 1892 Norfolk Island Pine and a Bunya Bunya (cones weigh 12-14 lbs.) |
To learn more about the Camarillo Ranch House or to rent the facility for weddings or other events go to www.camarilloranch.org
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