Near Holtville in Imperial County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Rancho El Tecolote

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Site of Rancho El Tecolote Marker

Inscription. Prolific author Harold Bell Wright purchased 160 acres here in 1907. While living in a tent he built Rancho El Tecolote, constructing a woven arrow weed studio in 1908 and a ranch house in 1909. From 1907 to 1916 he wrote three best sellers, including the historical novel "The Winning of Barbara Worth," a chronicle of desert reclamation and the Colorado River flood of 1905. As Wright's most successful and important book, it brought the Imperial Valley and it's agricultural wealth to the attention of the nation. The book's heroine Barbara Worth became an icon for the region.

Erected 2002 by The State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, Squibob Chapter. (Marker Number 1034.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 32° 48.014′ N, 115° 25.312′ W. Marker is near Holtville, California, in Imperial County. It is on Country Club Drive 0.3 miles south of California Route 115 when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holtville CA 92250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Imperial Valley.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harold Bell Wright (here, next to this marker); Holtville (approx. 2½ miles away); City of Holtville (approx. 2½ miles away); Imperial Valley Swiss Club (approx. 3½ miles away); Schaffner Dairy (approx. 3.6 miles away); McConnell Ranch (approx. 3.9 miles away); Imperial Valley Veterans' Memorial (approx. 5 miles away); Pearl Harbor Survivors Memorial (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holtville.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012

2. Site of Rancho El Tecolote Marker

Site of Rancho El Tecolote Marker <i>(on the right)</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012

3. Site of Rancho El Tecolote Marker (on the right)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012

4. Site of Rancho El Tecolote Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,686 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 21, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.