Old Borges Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Borges Ranch
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Old Borges Ranch, August 2008
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Contra Costa County, California |
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| Nearest city | Walnut Creek |
| Area | 393.8 acres (159.4 ha) |
| Architectural style | redwood |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000147 |
| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1981 |
The Old Borges Ranch is a special historic area in Contra Costa County, California. It covers about 1,035 acres (419 hectares) in the beautiful Mt. Diablo foothills. This ranch is part of the larger Walnut Creek Open Space, which is a huge natural area. Once a busy cattle ranch, today Old Borges Ranch offers a peek into the past. You can find old buildings, a ranger station, farm animals, and lots of trails to explore.
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Discovering the Ranch's Past
The story of Old Borges Ranch began in 1899. A Portuguese immigrant named Francisco "Frank" Borges bought 700 acres (283 hectares) of land. He wanted to create a cattle ranch and a home for his family. Frank, his wife Mary, and their children built their lives here.
Building a Home
In 1901, the family built their main farmhouse. It was made from strong redwood trees. They also constructed barns for animals, a blacksmith shop for metalwork, and a windmill to pump water. For five generations, the Borges family lived and worked on this ranch. They kept the ranch running for many years.
Saving the Ranch
Over time, the ranch started to fall apart. But people in Walnut Creek wanted to save it. In 1974, voters approved a plan to buy and protect open spaces like the ranch. So, in 1976, the city of Walnut Creek bought the Borges Ranch.
Ron White, who used to work for the National Park Service, became the first ranger for the Walnut Creek Open Space. He and his family moved to the ranch in 1978. After a lot of hard work to fix it up, the ranch was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it's a very important historical site!
What You Can Explore at the Ranch
Today, Old Borges Ranch is a fun place to visit and learn about history. It's like stepping back in time to the early 1900s.
The Historic Ranch House
The Old Borges Ranchouse was built in 1901. It's a five-room house made of redwood. This house has been carefully restored to look just like it did long ago. It's now a historic house museum. Inside, you can see old furniture, tools, and even a cast-iron stove from that time. There are also displays that show what life was like in the area. The ranch house also works as a visitor center for the Walnut Creek Open Space parks.
Farm Life and Animals
When you visit, you can also see the original barns where animals were kept. There's the old blacksmith shop, where metal tools were made, and the windmill. You might even spot some antique tractors! The ranch is home to farm animals, and some are even raised by the Pleasant Hill 4-H club. It's a great chance to see farm animals up close.
Ranger Station
A ranger station is also on the property. This is where park rangers work. They help keep the open space safe and answer questions for visitors. A ranger residence is also located nearby.
See also
