Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Jensen-Alvarado Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

1. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch Marker

Inscription. Danish sea captain Cornelius Jensen sailed to San Francisco during the Gold Rush to sell his cargo. In 1854 he settled in Agua Mansa, established a store, and married Mercedes Alvarado, a descendant of a pioneer Californio family. The Jensens purchased this ranch in 1865 and began planting vineyards and orchards. They used local materials to build their house which is of Danish vernacular design. The Jensens made this ranch an important civic, social, business and agricultural center.

Erected 1987 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Riverside County Historical Commission and Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 943.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 33° 59.594′ N, 117° 24.97′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is at the intersection of Briggs Street and Mill Creek Street, on the right when traveling

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south on Briggs Street. Marker is located approximately 300 feet inside the entrance to the Jensen- Alvarado Historic Ranch Park and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4307 Briggs Street, Jurupa Valley CA 92509, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rubidoux Grist Mill Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); Booker T. Washington - Frank A. Miller (approx. 1½ miles away); Fr. Junipero Serra (approx. 1½ miles away); Mount Rubidoux (approx. 1½ miles away); Gail Egenes (approx. 1½ miles away); Henry Van Dyke (approx. 1½ miles away); Lt. Col. Shunzo Kido (approx. 1½ miles away); Henry E. Huntington (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Regarding Jensen-Alvarado Ranch. The top plaque is the State of California Registered Historic Landmark No. 943 marker and the lower plaque states this property is on the National Register of Historic Places. The bricks of the house were made at the ranch from clay found nearby and the house beams were hauled by oxen from sawmill operating in the San Bernardino Mountains.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Also see . . . Cornelius Boy Jensen (1814 - 1886) - Find A Grave Memorial. Pioneer, Vintner, Storekeeper -

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

2. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch Marker

Dutch sea Captain Cornelius Boy Jensen, who for many years had sailed out of Hamburg, Germany, sailed into San Francisco Bay in 1848 and never again went to sea or to his homeland in the island of Sylt. He moved to California and tried his luck in the gold fields. In 1854 he was one of the first settlers in Agua Mansa where he established a store and married Mercedes Alvarado. (Submitted on December 20, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Cornelius and Mercedes Jenson Ranch
This California Historical Landmark is now titled “Cornelius and Mercedes Jenson Ranch” on the California State Parks official list of landmarks. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted September 19, 2024, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

3. National Register of Historic Places

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 29, 2015

4. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch Marker

Jensen-Alvarado Ranch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

5. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

6. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

7. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 23, 2010

8. Jensen-Alvarado Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 1987

9. Event Patch

Jensen Ranch - Rubidoux, CA
County Historical Park - Fall 1987
Danish Style Ranch House - Built 1870
Billy Holcomb Chapter
E Clampus Vitus

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 3,032 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on April 4, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 24, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 9. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.