On Feb. 16, 2000, Rancho Camulos, a historic 19th-century adobe ranch located along Highway 126, was officially designated a National Historic Landmark.

Originally part of the Rancho San Francisco land grant, Rancho Camulos was established in 1853 by Ygnacio del Valle and became a thriving agricultural operation known for its citrus groves and vineyards.

However, it is perhaps best known as the home of “Ramona,” and the inspiration for Helen Hunt Jackson’s 1884 novel of the same name, which helped shape popular perceptions of early California life, especially the systemic mistreatment of Native Americans under both Mexican and American rule.

(SCV History)

During her visit to the ranch on Jan.23, 1882, Jackson was inspired by its well-preserved vestiges of the Californio lifestyle, leading her to feature Rancho Camulos as a key setting in her novel.

“Ramona” explores the life of the titular character, a mixed-race Scottish-Native American orphan girl in the wake of the Mexican-American War and the annexation of California into the United States.

The novel was an immediate hit, selling 15,000 copies in just 10 months. In the decades since its publication, more than 300 reissues have been ordered, and the book has never been out of print.

In 1886, one year after Jackson’s death, the North American Review called “Ramona,”  along with “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the two most ethical novels of the 19th century.

The book’s success transformed the site into a cultural landmark, drawing visitors eager to experience the romanticized world Jackson described.

The Historic Landmark designation acknowledges Rancho Camulos as one of the best-preserved examples of a Mexican land grant rancho in Southern California.

Today, the site operates as a museum, offering guided tours that highlight its historic adobe buildings, chapel, and gardens, ensuring that the legacy of California’s rancho era is preserved for future generations.

Delayed by the January 2025 wildfires, Rancho Camulos is scheduled to host a special reenactment of Jackson’s 1882 visit on Feb. 22, where actors will bring to life the moment that forever changed the peaceful ranch.

Rancho Camulos remains the only National Historic Landmark in Ventura County. Located on Highway 126, 10 miles west of Interstate 5, it continues to offer visitors a glimpse into California’s rancho era. More information about the museum can be found on the website.

For yesterday’s Today in SCV History, click here.