Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Pescadero in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Steele Ranch

Dickerman Barn

 
 
Steele Ranch Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 17, 2016
1. Steele Ranch Marker
Inscription. Today the cow barn is the visitor center for the Marine Education Center, the horse barn serves as a theater and classroom, and the smaller, two-story creamery building is the volunteer headquarters and park office.

Coastal Dairy

The historic buildings you see here were once part of a successful coastal dairy empire.
The extended Steele family operated numerous dairies along the coast, beginning in the 1860s. They called their land "cow heaven."
During the Civil War, the Steele brothers auctioned a giant 20-foot round of cheese to benefit the Union war effort. President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant received slices.
Effie Steele and her husband, Edwin Dickerman, built their farm house and outbuildings here in the 1880s. They constructed the cow barn with timber salvaged from a storm wrecked local wharf.
 
Erected by Aρo Nuevo Interpretive Association.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list.
 
Location. 37° 7.129′ N, 122° 18.422′ W.
Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
Marker is near Pescadero, California, in San Mateo County. It can be reached from Aρo Nuevo State Park Road near Cabrillo Highway (California Route 1), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pescadero CA 94060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast 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 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Steele Brothers' Dairy Ranches (a few steps from this marker); Dickerman-Steele House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Don Gaspar de Portolα (approx. 2.2 miles away); Swanton (approx. 5.6 miles away); Big Creek Light and Power Company (approx. 5.7 miles away); Swanton Pacific Ranch (approx. 5.9 miles away); Washout 1997 to 2001
Steele Ranch Marker and Dickerman Barn image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 17, 2016
2. Steele Ranch Marker and Dickerman Barn
(approx. 5.9 miles away); Pigeon Point Lighthouse (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pescadero.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Aρo Nuevo Island (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
 
More about this marker. The marker is located in front (south side) of the Aρo Nuevo State Park Marine Education Center.
 
Dickerman Barn image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 17, 2016
3. Dickerman Barn
Dickerman Barn image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 17, 2016
4. Dickerman Barn
This property
Dickerson Barn
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the interior
Dedicated October 16, 1982
Aρo Nuevo
Interpretive Association
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
m=92639

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Jul. 11, 2026