WILDER RANCH STATE PARK

THIS RANCH IS LOCATED IN SANTA CRUZ ON 7000 ACRES ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST. IT IS LIKE A NATURE PRESERVE ALONG THE SEA COAST. OUR FAMILY HAS RIDDEN OUR MOUNTAIN BIKES ON THE COASTAL TRAIL AND SOME OF THE RUGGED BIKE/HIKE TRAILS WHICH WERE MUDDY . THEY HAVE 35 MILES OF BIKE TRAILS WHICH WERE MUDDY. THE OHLONES HAD LIVED IN HERE FOR CENTURIES IN CONICAL WIKIUPS MADE FROM WILLOW POLES AND OTHER POLES AND OTHER BRANCHES. TO MAKE A WATER PROOF HOME.

THEIR LIFE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY AFTER THE 1776 EXPEDITION OF GASPAR DE PORTOLA. MISSION SANTA CRUZ WAS BUILT IN 1791. THE SPANISH BROUGHT THEIR CATTLE AND GRAZED THEM ON TRIBAL GRASSLANDS AND FREELY USED THEIR FOOD RESOURCES. EVENTUALLY AS WITH MOST TRIBES, EUROPEAN DISEASE AND THE LOSS OF LANDS LED TO THE DWINDLING OHLONE POPULATION.

FROM 1791 TO 1835 ALL OF THE LAND WAS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI... SANTA CRUZ WAS CALLED RANCHO ARROYO OR RANCH OF THE STREAMBED SLAUGHTERED GROUND. IN 1830S THE LAND WAS GIVEN TO 3 DAUGHTERS JOAQUIN CASTRON AND IT WAS CALLED RANCHO DEL REFUGIO. THE RANCHO WAS SPLIT BEFORE A LARGE NUMBER OF ACRES WERE BOUGHT BY MOSES WILDER IN 1854. HE BUILT A HOME , THE CURRENT FARMHOUSE, A CREAMERY, DAIRY BARN, AND OTHER BUILDINGS. HE SOLD HIS BUTTER IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR $1 PER POUND. HE HAD PARTNERS WHO BOUGHT 4200 ACRES OF THE FORMER WATERSHEDS IN THE MONTERREY BAY MARINE SANCTUARY.

WILDER RANCH HAS A VIDEO ARENA AND RANCH BUILDINGS, AND THREE RESTORED WORKSHOPS RUN BY WATER POWER. THE RANCH HAS INTERPRETERS LEADING TOURS DRESSED IN PERIOD CLOTHING. THE BLUFFS NEAR THE BEACH HAS TIDE POOLS AND SEA CAVES, INTO THE HILLS AND TERRACES OF PARK TO BEN LOMAND MOUNTAIN WHICH IS 1800 FEET HIGH.

THIS SITE WAS THE MAIN RANCHO SUPPLING SANTA CRUZ MISSION WITH FOOD, IRON CRAFTS, COWHIDES, AND OTHER SUPPLIES. WE HAVE ATTENDED THEIR LIVING LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATING SHOWING PIONEERS WEAVING, CRAFTING IRON ON FIRES, MILKING, AND MAKING HAND MADE TORTILLAS, DRAFT HORSE WAGON RIDES.

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