4600 Virginia Road Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 570-1755
http://www.rancholoscerritos.org

On the outskirts of Bixby Knolls, in the exclusive Virginia Country Club, lies Rancho Los Cerritos. It’s a little known, sprawling 27,000 acre historic rancho left over from the 18th century. Originating as a Spanish land grant held by Manuel Nieto, the last 200 years have seen the land parceled, sold, and developed into the many small communities that make up Southern California.

History of Ranch Los Cerritos Historic Site

Originally part of the 167,000-acre Rancho Los Nietos land grant issued to Manuel Nieto, the property was eventually divided into six parcels and sold off. In 1843, Jonathan Temple purchased a parcel and built the adobe house in 1844 as headquarters for his cattle operations. In 1866, Temple sold the rancho to the company Flint, Bixby & Co., which converted the ranch from cattle to sheep. Jotham Bixby, the brother of one of the company’s founders, managed and resided at the ranch from the 1860s to the 1870s and began leasing or selling portions of the 167,000 acres, which eventually became the cities of Downey, Paramount and Lakewood.

In the 1880′s, Jotham Bixby eventually purchased the rancho property for himself and raised his seven children in the Monterey -style adobe. Then in 1929, Llewellyn Bixby purchased the property from his uncle and made extensive renovations to the house, including a new red-tiled roof, electricity, plumbing, fireplaces, a sun porch, new floors and  landscaping. When Llewellyn Bixby died in 1942, the Bixby family sold the house to the City of Long Beach.

Tours & The California History Research Library

Today, the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is a public museum dedicated to educating the public about California’s rancho period.  The California History Research Library, a 3,000+ book collection on California history cataloged through the Long Beach Public Library. The library contain original historical documents, maps, blueprints, photographs and audio and image recordings directly associated with the rancho and its owners, occupants and workers. Plus, when you wander the site you’ll see more than 1,000 clothing and textiles artifacts from the 1830s to 1930s, and many rooms decorated with Bixby family furniture and antiques.

Rich History Inside & Out

Outside on the Rancho grounds are lush gardens and old growth trees offering not only shade, but a glimpse into early life in Bixby Knolls. And the earth under and surrounding the adobe is rich in historical archaeological materials with trash pits dating back to the 1840s-50s and cogged stones that are over 7,000 years old.

In the spring and summer, you can take tours of the site and facilities guided by trained volunteers and Rancho Los Cerritos historians.

Just don’t forget to visit the gift store before you leave.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the history of Bixby Knolls, I highly recommend visiting the museum at the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site.

Sincerely,

Mark Shandrow
REO Broker-Associate
Shandrow Group
shandrowgroup.com

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Shandrow Group - Long Beach Real Estate | LA & Orange County Homes For Sale

6400 Bixby Hill Road
Long Beach, Ca 90815
562-431-3541

Want to travel back in time to the early days of Bixby Knolls?

Consider visiting the rambling rancho on top of the gated Bixby Hill in Long Beach, California. An oasis under the shade of the large willow and cottonwood trees, the Bixby Ranch House was owned by one of the prominent family instrumental in the growth and development of some of the largest areas in Southern California. Throughout the history of Long Beach, the original tiny adobe building slowly transformed into an elegant 18-room ranch house. Its history spans over 1,500 years.

Initially constructed by Manuel Perez Nieteo, a corporal in the Spanish Army, as the center of a cattle ranch it continued to expand under the ownership of Mexican Governor José Figuero, the American Abel Sterns (the first mayor of Los Angeles during the Mexican period), and eventually the Bixby family. Originally named Rancho Los Alamitos (Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods), the Bixby Ranch House reflects the physical and cultural changes that took place in California from the Spanish colonial period, through the Mexican territorial era, and into the modern American period.

Operated by the City of Long Beach since the 1960s, this tourist attraction is popular spot for all ages. Close to both California State University Long Beach and the the Port of Long Beach, the ranch grounds are the perfect place to take the family for a quiet afternoon on Bixby Hill.

Containing an extensive landscaped garden which is home to butterflies, hummingbirds, squirrels,snd horses, the 7.5 acres are comprised of six agricultural buildings (including a working blacksmith shop) and a sprawling adobe ranch house (built c.1800). The barns are home to a number of domesticated farm animals such as horses, sheep, goats and chickens. The perfect petting zoo atmosphere for your little ones.

If you’re interested in checking Rancho Los Alamitos out, the ranch is open Wednesday-Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Sincerely,

Mark Shandrow
REO Broker-Associate
Shandrow Group
shandrowgroup.com

Shandrow Group - Long Beach Real Estate | LA & Orange County Homes For Sale