THE DAWN OF THE
IRVINE RANCHThe Irvine Ranch History Irvine, California
The Irvine Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the rich
heritage of the Irvine Ranch, once one of the largest private
ranches in the United States
Welcome to the
Irvine Historical Museum
Irvine, California
The Irvine Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the Irvine Ranch, once one of the largest private ranches in the United States.
The Society is headquartered at the Irvine Historical Museum, the oldest standing structure within the original boundaries of the Ranch.
(Left, photo of the house built by Charles E. French)
In 1868, James Irvine I commissioned a house to be built that would be suitable for him to stay when he visited the ranch toa conduct business. The home was built with the intent of having a ranch manager installed. It was built for a cost of $1,300 and known as the San Joaquin Ranch house. It was the first wooden house to be erected between Anaheim and San Diego. The house featured a kitchen, dining room parlor, four bedrooms, and a wrap-around porch. The Ranch Manager moved to the house in 1870 and his wife and daughter arrived within a few months. There were problems with coyotes, wildcats, fleas, and zero neighbors as far as the eye could see.
The Museum is shown to the left in the photo. It was originally used as the cooking wing for the cattle and sheep camp which was located onsite. The Irvine house was torn down in 1971 during the grading of the golf course.
The Irvine Historical is located at 5 San Joaquin, Irvine, CA 92612.
Phone 949-786-4112. Email [email protected] www.irvinehistory.org
Standard hours of operation are Tuesday and Sunday from 1 to 4-closed holidays. Please call before you come to ensure the Museum is open. We are staffed entirely by volunteers and sometimes the Museum is not able to be open during scheduled periods. Members are free. A $2.00 donation per non-member is appreciated.
1827-1886
Diversifying From Sheep
To Beans
1867-1947
Cultivating
Communities
1898-1959
Irvine - a Land and a Family
A Fascinating Transformation
of Irvine — Preservation
of Its Rich Heritage
Discover Irvine's rich history started when James Irvine I
and two partners bought Mexican and Spanish land
grants in 1864.
History nurtures personal and collective identity in a diverse world. History teaches vital critical thinking skills. History is the foundation for strong, vibrant communities.
We are dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the Irvine Ranch, once one of the largest private ranches in the United States.
The information is from the files of the Irvine Historical Society, Judy Liebeck Gauntt, and Ellen Bell. Judy's research produced the book Irvine, A history of Innovation and Growth, Pioneer Publications Inc 1990, Library of Congress Catalog Card number 90-62011. Ellen Bell wrote the "Images of America IRVINE" published by Arcadia Publishing Company.
All through its history, people have shaped the transformation of Irvine. Whether it was the Native Americans, the flamboyant dons of the rancho era, or the determined members of a first-generation Irish American family, the fingerprints of former residents are everywhere. The street names tell the story — Portola, Culver, Michelson, Jeffrey, and Jamboree. Everywhere you look in the modern city of Irvine, there are markers from its past.
Irvine has always reaped the benefits of sound planning. James H. Irvine saw great potential in the land. In his 55 years as owner of the Irvine Ranch, the 100,000 acres landholding went from undeveloped grazing pastures to one of the premier agricultural producers in the world. It did not happen by accident. Irvine meticulously managed his ranch.
The ranch that James Irvine purchased in 1876 has remained intact and in private ownership. Rich in history, The Irvine Ranch land is considered a precious and nonrenewable resource, an asset not to be sold or squandered for short-term gain, but to be held onto and used in carefully planned to benefit those who choose to live and work here.
