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 place located in the beautiful Mount Diablo foothills in Contra Costa County, California. It covers about 1,035 acres, which is like a huge park! This ranch used to be a working cattle farm. Today, it has many old buildings, a place where park rangers work, and even farm animals. You can also find lots of trails for exploring the outdoors here. It is part of the larger 2,600-acre Walnut Creek Open Space.
Contents
The Ranch's Story
How the Ranch Began
In 1899, a man named Francisco "Frank" Borges, who came from Portugal, bought 700 acres of land. He wanted to start a cattle ranch and build a home for his family. His family included his wife, Mary Borges, and their children.
Building the Ranch Home
The main farmhouse on the ranch was built in 1901. It was made from strong redwood trees. The Borges family also built other important structures. These included barns for animals, a blacksmith shop where metal was shaped, and a windmill to pump water. Five different generations of the Borges family lived and worked on this ranch over many years.
Saving the Ranch
Over time, the ranch started to fall apart. But people in Walnut Creek wanted to save the open spaces around them. In 1974, they voted to approve a large amount of money to protect these lands. In 1976, the city of Walnut Creek bought the Borges Ranch.
A New Beginning
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 up the ranch, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What You Can See at the Ranch
The Historic Ranch House
The Old Borges Ranchouse was built in 1901. It has five rooms and is made of redwood. Today, it has been restored to look like it did long ago. It's now a historic house museum! You can see old furniture and items from the early 1900s, like a cast-iron stove. There are also displays that show what life was like in the area back then. The ranch house also serves as a visitor center for the Walnut Creek Open Space parks.
Other Ranch Sights
When you visit, you can also explore the original barns. There's a blacksmith shop and the old windmill. You might even see some antique tractors! The ranch is also home to farm animals, some of which are raised by the Pleasant Hill 4-H club. A ranger station and a home for the park ranger are also located on the property.
More to Explore
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Contra Costa County, California
- Ranchos of Contra Costa County, California — These were Spanish and Mexican land grant ranches from before California became a state.
- Ranches on the National Register of Historic Places in California
Online Resources
- Official Old Borges Ranch website: https://www.walnut-creek.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/16/664
- Shell Ridge Open Space webpage
- Open Space Trail Map — This map shows the northern part of the open space, including Borges Ranch.
