Adolfo Camarillo
Encyclopedia
Adolfo Camarillo, was a prominent land owner, horse breeder, rancher, and philanthropist
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Ventura County area of California
, U.S.A. Adolfo, along with his brother Juan, Jr.
, owned much of what later became the town known by their family name, Camarillo. Adolfo also donated the land for Adolfo Camarillo High School
. The horse breed Camarillo White Horse
was named for Camarillo. He began breeding them in 1921 and the line continues today. In addition because of Adolfo’s philanthropy
in 1950, Pope Pius XII
named Adolfo a Knight of St. Gregory the Great
.
, was purchased from the Ruiz family in 1875,and was later willed to his wife. Upon Juan’s death, Adolfo took over operations of the family ranch at age 16. His brother Juan was more interested in religion. The ranch is almost 10,000 acres in size and was one of the last remaining Mexican land grants. In 1865 Adolfo graduated from International Business College at (Woodbury University
). After that he took over full-time management of the ranch at age 21. In 1888 Adolfo married Isabella Menchaca (1861–1936). Adolfo and Isabel raised seven children. Frank, Isabel, Minerva, Rosa, Carmen, Ave Marie, and Martina. Upon the death of Martina Camarillo, she bequeathed Rancho Calleguas to her sons, Adolfo and Juan, Jr. This would later go on to become Camarillo Ranch and later the city of Camarillo
. Adolfo would go on to run the Camarillo Ranch; until his death in 1958. The Ranch would grow from a mostly cattle operation to both cattle and crops. Adolfo focused mainly in developing crops and became a leading innovator bringing in lima beans, plus barley, corn, alfalfa, walnuts, and citrus.
Adolfo Camarillo had a love of fiestas, horses, rodeos and barbecues. Adolfo kept a stable of a dozen pure white horses of Arabian and Morgan descent. His horses often participated in parades in California.
Adolfo died of pneumonia
December 10, 1958, and is interred in the family crypt beneath St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo, alongside his parents, his wife, sisters and brothers.
is a relatively modern breed known for its pure white color. This legendary breed dates back to 1921, when Adolfo Camarillo purchased 9-year-old Sultan from Miller and Lux cattle ranch at the California State Fair
in Sacramento
. Sultan, over the next few years, won many stock championships throughout California. Adolfo would go on to breed Sultan to Morgan mares
at the Camarillo Ranch. This would go on for the next 65 years as the family privately owned and bred the Camarillo White Horses. Since the 1930s these horses have become famous by being featured up and down the California coast at various parades and events. Once a year Adolfo would ride one of his white Arabians in the Fiesta of Santa Barbara while dressed up in a colorful Spanish costume. The Camarillo White Horses were privately owned and bred by the Camarillo family until the death of Adolfo Camarillo’s daughter Carmen, in 1987.
Many people of note have ridden on Camarillo White Horses including Governor Ronald Reagan
, president Harding
, 1946 Nobel Peace Prize
recipient John Mott
, as well as movie stars Leo Carrillo
and Steven Ford
(son of President Gerald Ford
).
As of 2010 there are only 20 Camarillo White Horses.Three stallions, five mares, three geldings, two young colts, and 7 white foals.
Adolfo Camarillo also had leadership roles on the Ventura County Fair Board, Camarillo Chamber of Commerce,Peoples Lumber Company, Los Rancheros Visitadores, California State Fair Board, and California Lima Bean Growers Association. He also served as a member of the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Trustees for 57 years from 1894 to 1951.
In 1890, Adolfo, with the help of two Chumash Indian boys, planted two rows of eucalyptus trees. The trees lined Highway 101 in Camarillo for many years. Some of the trees are still present along the north side of the freeway.
The Camarillo Ranch house is now used for public and special events, has a scholarship program, gift shop, and tours of the house and its beautiful gardens.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Ventura County area of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S.A. Adolfo, along with his brother Juan, Jr.
Juan Camarillo, Jr.
Juan E. Camarillo, Jr. was a wealthy landowner and philanthropist in Ventura County, California, United States. Juan and his younger brother Adolfo Camarillo lived in Casa Camarillo, and were involved in the mercantile business...
, owned much of what later became the town known by their family name, Camarillo. Adolfo also donated the land for Adolfo Camarillo High School
Adolfo Camarillo High School
Adolfo Camarillo High School is a high school located at 4660 Mission Oaks Boulevard in Camarillo, California. It was recognized as a California Distinguished School in 1996 and in 2009 and a National Blue Ribbon School in 1998. It is part of the Oxnard Union High School District. The land was...
. The horse breed Camarillo White Horse
Camarillo White Horse
The Camarillo White Horse is a rare horse breed less than 100 years old known for its pure white color. It dates back to 1921, when Adolfo Camarillo, one of the last Californios, purchased a 9-year-old stallion named Sultan at the California State Fair in Sacramento...
was named for Camarillo. He began breeding them in 1921 and the line continues today. In addition because of Adolfo’s philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
in 1950, Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
named Adolfo a Knight of St. Gregory the Great
Order of St. Gregory the Great
The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great , was established on September 1, 1831, by Pope Gregory XVI, seven months after his election.It is one of the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See...
.
Biography
Adolfo was born to Juan Camarillo (1812–1880) and Martina Camarillo (1826–1898) He had four sisters and one brother. When Juan Camarillo died in 1880, One of the last remaining Mexican Land Grants, Rancho CalleguasRancho Calleguas
Rancho Calleguas was a Mexican land grant in present day Ventura County, California given in 1837 by Governor Juan Alvarado to José Pedro Ruiz. The grant was south of Rancho Las Posas, and east of Rancho El Rio de Santa Clara o la Colonia, north of the Rancho Guadalasca, and west of Rancho El...
, was purchased from the Ruiz family in 1875,and was later willed to his wife. Upon Juan’s death, Adolfo took over operations of the family ranch at age 16. His brother Juan was more interested in religion. The ranch is almost 10,000 acres in size and was one of the last remaining Mexican land grants. In 1865 Adolfo graduated from International Business College at (Woodbury University
Woodbury University
Woodbury University, founded as "Woodbury Business College", is a private, non-profit, coeducational, nonsectarian university located in Burbank, California.-History:...
). After that he took over full-time management of the ranch at age 21. In 1888 Adolfo married Isabella Menchaca (1861–1936). Adolfo and Isabel raised seven children. Frank, Isabel, Minerva, Rosa, Carmen, Ave Marie, and Martina. Upon the death of Martina Camarillo, she bequeathed Rancho Calleguas to her sons, Adolfo and Juan, Jr. This would later go on to become Camarillo Ranch and later the city of Camarillo
Camarillo, California
Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at the 2000 census. The Ventura Freeway Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 65,201 at the 2010 census, up from 57,084 at...
. Adolfo would go on to run the Camarillo Ranch; until his death in 1958. The Ranch would grow from a mostly cattle operation to both cattle and crops. Adolfo focused mainly in developing crops and became a leading innovator bringing in lima beans, plus barley, corn, alfalfa, walnuts, and citrus.
Adolfo Camarillo had a love of fiestas, horses, rodeos and barbecues. Adolfo kept a stable of a dozen pure white horses of Arabian and Morgan descent. His horses often participated in parades in California.
Adolfo died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
December 10, 1958, and is interred in the family crypt beneath St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo, alongside his parents, his wife, sisters and brothers.
Camarillo’s White Horses
The Camarillo White HorseCamarillo White Horse
The Camarillo White Horse is a rare horse breed less than 100 years old known for its pure white color. It dates back to 1921, when Adolfo Camarillo, one of the last Californios, purchased a 9-year-old stallion named Sultan at the California State Fair in Sacramento...
is a relatively modern breed known for its pure white color. This legendary breed dates back to 1921, when Adolfo Camarillo purchased 9-year-old Sultan from Miller and Lux cattle ranch at the California State Fair
California State Fair
The California State Fair is the annual state fair for the state of California. The fair is held at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.- Schedule Change :...
in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
. Sultan, over the next few years, won many stock championships throughout California. Adolfo would go on to breed Sultan to Morgan mares
Morgan horse
The Morgan is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States. Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility....
at the Camarillo Ranch. This would go on for the next 65 years as the family privately owned and bred the Camarillo White Horses. Since the 1930s these horses have become famous by being featured up and down the California coast at various parades and events. Once a year Adolfo would ride one of his white Arabians in the Fiesta of Santa Barbara while dressed up in a colorful Spanish costume. The Camarillo White Horses were privately owned and bred by the Camarillo family until the death of Adolfo Camarillo’s daughter Carmen, in 1987.
Many people of note have ridden on Camarillo White Horses including Governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, president Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
, 1946 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
recipient John Mott
John Mott
John Raleigh Mott was a long-serving leader of the YMCA and the World Student Christian Federation...
, as well as movie stars Leo Carrillo
Leo Carrillo
Leopoldo Antonio Carrillo , was an American actor, vaudevillian, political cartoonist, and conservationist.-Family roots:...
and Steven Ford
Steven Ford
Steven Meigs Ford is an American actor and son of former United States President Gerald Ford and Former First Lady Betty Bloomer Ford.-Early life:...
(son of President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
).
As of 2010 there are only 20 Camarillo White Horses.Three stallions, five mares, three geldings, two young colts, and 7 white foals.
Personal Achievements
Adolfo graduated from the International Business College at Los Angeles. For eight years he was a member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, a member of the Knights of Columbus, was Grand Knight of the Oxnard Council for two terms, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Santa Barbara, and a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Besides running his ranch he was also a Vice President of the First National Bank of Ventura, Vice President of the Ojai State Bank of Nordoff, a director in A. Levy Bank, Incorporated, of Oxnard, and was a stockholder of the First National Bank of Oxnard and in the Fillmore State Bank in Ventura county. -Adolfo Camarillo also had leadership roles on the Ventura County Fair Board, Camarillo Chamber of Commerce,Peoples Lumber Company, Los Rancheros Visitadores, California State Fair Board, and California Lima Bean Growers Association. He also served as a member of the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Trustees for 57 years from 1894 to 1951.
Contributions
Adolfo Camarillo made several significant contributions to Ventura County. He donated 50 acres of land for the purpose of building the first high school in Camarillo. It is named after him (Adolfo Camarillo High School.) He also donated land in 1937 for the Conejo Grade Highway. In 1904 he donated land to extend the Southern Pacific Railroad through Camarillo, and for the expansion of St. John's Seminary to include St. John's College.In 1890, Adolfo, with the help of two Chumash Indian boys, planted two rows of eucalyptus trees. The trees lined Highway 101 in Camarillo for many years. Some of the trees are still present along the north side of the freeway.
Camarillo Ranch House
The Camarillo House was built in 1892 by Adolfo and several other workers. Adolfo enlisted the services of Architects Franklin Ward and Herman Anlauf. Adolfo used the Camarillo Ranch mostly for growing crops. His main crops were lima beans, barley, corn, alfalfa, walnuts, and citrus. In 2001 it was opened to the public for weddings, receptions, and filming after roughly 1.5 million dollars and over 10,000 volunteered hours were put invested.The Camarillo Ranch house is now used for public and special events, has a scholarship program, gift shop, and tours of the house and its beautiful gardens.