Why is it endangered?
The lagoon before you, Agua Hedionda, is one of the few remaining coastal wetlands along the Southern California coastline. All of the lagoons are threatened by the pressures of development, agriculture, and industry. . . . — — Map (db m71190) HM
A small piece of history sits here in one of Carlsbad's oldest neighborhoods. Built in 1918, the Buena Vista Reservoir served the surrounding agricultural fields and farming community. Starting in the 1940s, the reservoir stored water pumped via . . . — — Map (db m226584) HM
Discoverer of the famous Carlsbad mineral water and co-founder of the City of Carlsbad, California
While drilling for fresh water for his farm on this spot in 1882, John Frazier sank three wells - one 415 feet, one 450 feet, and one 510 . . . — — Map (db m100680) HM
In 1881, Captain John A. Frazier, a homesteader, purchased 127 acres of oceanfront land for $1200. While drilling for drinking water in 1884, Frazier tapped into an underground mineral spring. He built a 510 foot well tower and began promoting the . . . — — Map (db m100673) HM
Original depot built in 1887 and also served as telegraph, Wells Fargo, post office and general store. Renamed "Carl" from 1907 to 1917, it became the hub of local agriculture about 1915. The last passenger train stopped in 1957 and it was closed . . . — — Map (db m100672) HM
The Carlsbad Theatre had its grand opening on February 8, 1927 with the showing of the film "It" starring Clara Bow. Mr. A.J. Clark, the developer and manager, hosted the ceremonies. The Theatre featured a full stage, fly gallery, orchestra pit, . . . — — Map (db m105710) HM
Built in 1942, the North Sector office of California State Parks was the first fire station in northern San Diego County. The Caifornia Division of Forestry (CDF) occupied the building until 1973 when California State parks acquired it.
From 1942 . . . — — Map (db m128479) HM
La Cantina
Leo’s Rancho de Los Quiotes was more than an imagined movie set. It was a 1,750-acre working ranch with cattle and horses. The Carrillos raised turkeys, chickens, peafowl, food crops and fruit orchards. Who did all this work? The . . . — — Map (db m312242) HM
Deedie’s House
Leo dedicated a building in 1940 for his wife, Deedie, to enjoy as an artist retreat. They called it the Indian House, or Deedie’s House. See how this structure is in the Pueblo style? The Mendozas, New Mexico-based adobe . . . — — Map (db m312260) HM
El Camino Real began in San Diego and followed a coastal route later named Highway 101. In the early 1900s, bells were placed on this route to guide travelers to nearby Spanish Missions. This is an exact replica of the original bell and is . . . — — Map (db m193450) HM
Meet the Luiseno
Imagine life here 10,000 years ago. The Luiseno people thrived on this land, living off the rich resources. They also traded with near and distant neighbors for special materials. When newcomers from Europe arrived by ship . . . — — Map (db m312267) HM
The Foundry
This was a noisy place when the blacksmith was at work. Across the fields you could hear the banging and shaping of hot iron into customized door hinges, gates, horse shoes, cattle brands and light fixtures. The hissing sound of . . . — — Map (db m312236) HM
The Carriage House
Here in the Carriage House, not just any ranch vehicle was stored. This building sheltered Leo’s custom Town & Country convertible, carefully painted to represent his golden palomino, Conquistador. “It had a horn . . . — — Map (db m312244) HM
Checking In
Welcome to the Caretaker’s House. The ranch managers, who lived here with their families, greeted guests at the entrance to Rancho de Los Quiotes. They supervised ranch operations, cared for the property and ensured a . . . — — Map (db m312263) HM
Inspired by memories of peafowl wandering his uncle’s ranch, Leo Carrillo brought three pairs of peafowl to his ranch in 1937. Their descendants frequent the park today. Peafowl include the male peacock, the female peahen and baby peachicks. These . . . — — Map (db m312232) HM
Heritage Hall was built in 1926 as the
original sanctuary of St. Patricks
Catholic Church. In 1952 it became
Carlsbad's first city hall and police
station; in the 1960's the first library,
the first children's library and later a
ballet . . . — — Map (db m117802) HM
Early in 1908, F.P. Hosp & Partners planted 40,000 eucalyptus seedlings creating this grove. They hoped to satisfy Santa Fe Railroad's needed for wood for railroad ties. Following a citizen vote in 1987, 53 acres of the grove were acquired by . . . — — Map (db m255900) HM
Between 1937 and 1940, these adobe and wood buildings were built by actor Leo Carrillo as a retreat, working ranch, and tribute to old California culture and architecture. The Leo Carrillo Ranch, with its Flying "LC" brand, originally covered 2,538 . . . — — Map (db m51105) HM
In the beginning - 2009 - Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built a model of a one room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved to read. He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors . . . — — Map (db m255920) HM
Spanish Ancestry
Leo Carillo was a Los Angeles-born stage and screen actor. As a seventh-generation Californio, he was an ambassador of early California culture across the generations. Leo’s stewardship for Rancho de Los Quiotes, and . . . — — Map (db m312240) HM
In 1868 Matthew Kelly homesteaded 174.5 acres in this valley creating the Los Kiotas Ranch. In 1882 he built a second two story adobe home on this site. Nearly 60 years later, the four original walls of that house were preserved and incorporated . . . — — Map (db m312241) HM
Charles D Henricks • Jerome E. W. Jansen •
Joseph Cunningham • Marvin C. White •
Albert J. Davis • James O. Hall, Jr. •
Larry W. Robinson • Kirk L. Rauch •
Steve B. Carlin • Richard A. Heuffner •
Wayne A. Allen • Michael W. Mulick • . . . — — Map (db m265406) WM
Country Road
The Carrillos and their guest entered Ranch of the Spanish Daggers form a back road in Carlsbad, known today as Palomar Airport Road. They motored over a wooden bridge and as they crested the hills, views of the ranch unfolded. . . . — — Map (db m312272) HM
Matthew Kelly Homestead
Leo Carrillo bought an abandoned two-story, wood paneled adobe in 1937. It had been the home of Isle of Man immigrant Matthew Kelly, who arrive here in 1868 to join his brother Robert. Robert was the majordomo, or . . . — — Map (db m312262) HM
Adobe Oasis
The estate is blessed with fertile earth, flowing water and plenty of sunshine. Here, Leo Carrillo could re-create a working ranch like the ones he knew as a child. “The adobe is my birthstone”, Leo wrote in reflection of his . . . — — Map (db m312239) HM
Leo’s Peeps
Crowing banty roosters welcomed the rising sun. There were many beaks and mouths to feed each morning. Life on the ranch was also about raising food. Leo’s daughter, Tony, loved to help her dad care for and feed the turkeys and . . . — — Map (db m312259) HM
Why the Ranch Name?
Up on the hillsides, a spiky native yucca plant grows. When the yucca blooms it sends a beautiful plume of petals high in the sky. Its slender, sharp leaves give the plant its sword-like shape and name: this is the Spanish . . . — — Map (db m312233) HM
Following the realignment of Coast Highway, the Red Apple Inn was built in 1927, one of three lodging establishments built fronting the new State Highway. The Inn’s popularity waned during the Depression and the building was sold. In 1936 the . . . — — Map (db m265355) HM
In 2007, the gazebo had fallen into disrepair and was facing demolition. A group of Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotarians and community leaders led by L. John Simons, assembled to consider moving and restoring the gazebo. With help from many in the community . . . — — Map (db m117974) HM
Imagine hearing Leo driving his work truck in, and opening the big, creaking doors to toss down bales of hay for the neighing horses. The tri-level stable and its fenced corral are built naturally into the sloping hillside. The lower level included . . . — — Map (db m312238) HM
The first church built in Carlsbad was St. Michael's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church. Originally erected in 1894 overlooking the ocean on Oak Avenue, the quaint Gothic structure was moved to it current site in 1959 when Florence Shipley Magee donated an . . . — — Map (db m100674) HM
The Andres Ybarra Ranch House on this portion of Rancho Las Encinitas was long used as a station on the two-day stage run from San Diego to Los Angeles after 1864. — — Map (db m82277) HM
This Victorian structure was built in 1887 for Gerhard Schutte, whose role in the development of the town led to his being called the "Father of Carlsbad." Schutte and partners Samuel Church Smith and D.D. Wadsworth founded the Carlsbad Land and . . . — — Map (db m100677) HM
Originally built in the garden behind the Twins Inn. This gazebo was donated to the city of Carlsbad by Neiman’s Village Faire and moved to the Rotary Park in 1950. It was restored through the generous assistance of the Carlsbad Evening Rotary Club. — — Map (db m117957) HM
Originally built by Eddie
Kettner, Proprietor of the
World Famous Carlsbad Twin
Inns. This granary was donated
to the City of Carlsbad by
Neiman's Village Faire and
moved to Magee Park in 1985.
It was restored through the
generous . . . — — Map (db m117861) HM
Drip. Drop. Drink!
You are in the Batiquitos watershed, where water moves downstream to the ocean. This creek used to run regularly, until modern development altered its flow. In summer you can see water trickle from residential irrigation . . . — — Map (db m312268) HM
Who has been here?
The lands around you have been inhabited by people for over 10,000 years. The rolling hills and canyons cradling the lagoon provided shelter and food with an abundance of native plants and trees.
The Luiseño . . . — — Map (db m71169) HM
Water Above and Below
When Leo was shown the abandoned adobe house and land in 1937, he imagined the possibilities for a ranch of his dreams. He desired views to the ocean, but water was what he needed. A spring on the property delivered . . . — — Map (db m312246) HM
