San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Welcome to Our Petting Zoo
History in the Making
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2016
1. Petting Zoo Marker
The first inhabitants of San Juan Capistrano were the Acjachemen. These Native Americans lived in what we know today as Orange County. Some of the tribe's descendants work here at Zoomars.
In 1776, the Historic District was part of the Mission's ranch. Thousands of sheep, cattle, and horses grazed these grounds and hillsides.
By the late 1800s, the area was a community of farm families and merchants. This site was established and two farmhouses were built on the property.
During the 1920s and 30s, Angel and Dona Nieblas lived in the pioneer homes. They raised pigs and goats and were celebrated for hosting Grand Barbecues.
Delfina Olivares, the town matriarch, moved here to the main house in 1947. She was best known for her Mexican cooking which she often shared with the soldiers at the Mission. Delfina raised chickens, boarded horses, and rented the back pasture to the Escalante Circus.
In 1980, Gil and Millie Jones bought the property. She had an art studio and he established a horse & carriage service. Together they built a barn, bought more animals and opened the Jones Family Mini Farm. Since farm animals
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Deciding to retire in 2005, the Joneses entrusted their family farm to Carolyn Franks who loved it, enhanced it, and renamed it Zoomars.
Today this treasured landmark reminds us of simple times gone by, but not forgotten.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. 33° 30.063′ N, 117° 39.859′ W. Marker is in San Juan Capistrano, California, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Los Rios Street and Verdugo Street, on the left when traveling north on Los Rios Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26711 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano CA 92675, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2016
2. Petting Zoo Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rios Adobe (a few steps from this marker); "Oliveras Home" (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Los Rios Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Los Rios Street Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Combs House (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Rios Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Tony Forster (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Jerome O'Neill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan Capistrano.
Regarding Welcome to Our Petting Zoo. The petting zoo entrance is on River Street, which was originally a Native American footpath to the Trabuco Creek water source.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
