Hearst Ranch
Encyclopedia
The Hearst Ranch is a ranch that consists of 2 cattle ranches: San Simeon – Piedra Blanca Rancho. This ranch surrounds the Hearst Castle
and comprises 80000 acres (323.7 km²), one of the largest working cattle ranches on the California coast. The other ranch is the 73000 acres (295.4 km²) Jack Ranch in Cholame, California
, which was acquired in 1966 to complement the Hearst Ranch cattle operations. Cattle have been raised for many generations at the Jack Ranch, too. The Circle C brand used at the Jack Ranch is number 0002 in the California Brand Book, making it the oldest registered brand in California that is still in use today.
•1886 – Piedra Blanca Rancho grows to 270000 acres (1,092.7 km²)
•1891 – Senator George Hearst, elected in 1887, dies in Washington, DC.
•1919 – William Randolf Hearst begins building the Hearst Castle. The Hearst ranch is large integrated farming/ranching operation.
•1951 – WR Hearst dies.
•1965 – Hearst Corporation purchases the Jack Ranch
•2002 – Hearst Corporation and the American Land Conservancy announce the framework for the Hearst ranch Conservation Project to preserve the unique working landscape of the Hearst ranch forever.
•2005 – Hearst Ranch Conservation Project closes escrow transferring 13 miles (20.9 km) of coastline to State hands and forever protecting the 82000 acres (331.8 km²) Hearst Ranch.
•2007 – Hearst Ranch Beef Kiosk Opens at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center (1)
and produces grass feed beef & pork for the retail markets.
In 2005, the Hearst Corporation, American Land Conservancy
, California Rangeland Trust
, and the State of California completed a comprehensive conservation project that permanently protects the 128 square miles (331.5 km²) Hearst Ranch. A major component of the project is the conservation easement restricting future development on 80000 acres (323.7 km²). The Hearst ranch is the largest privately-owned working cattle ranch remaining on the California Coast. The conservation easement ensures that the scenic, open space, agricultural and natural resource values of the ranch are preserved. California Rangeland Trust holds, monitors and enforces the conservation easement.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark mansion located on the Central Coast of California, United States. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. In 1957, the Hearst Corporation donated the property to...
and comprises 80000 acres (323.7 km²), one of the largest working cattle ranches on the California coast. The other ranch is the 73000 acres (295.4 km²) Jack Ranch in Cholame, California
Cholame, California
Cholame, California is an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. It sits within a mile of the San Andreas Rift Zone fault line at an elevation of 1,157 feet above sea level and is located at . Cholame is reached via State Route 41, just southwest of the junction of...
, which was acquired in 1966 to complement the Hearst Ranch cattle operations. Cattle have been raised for many generations at the Jack Ranch, too. The Circle C brand used at the Jack Ranch is number 0002 in the California Brand Book, making it the oldest registered brand in California that is still in use today.
History
•1865 – George Hearst purchases the 48000 acres (194.2 km²) Piedra Blanca Rancho•1886 – Piedra Blanca Rancho grows to 270000 acres (1,092.7 km²)
•1891 – Senator George Hearst, elected in 1887, dies in Washington, DC.
•1919 – William Randolf Hearst begins building the Hearst Castle. The Hearst ranch is large integrated farming/ranching operation.
•1951 – WR Hearst dies.
•1965 – Hearst Corporation purchases the Jack Ranch
•2002 – Hearst Corporation and the American Land Conservancy announce the framework for the Hearst ranch Conservation Project to preserve the unique working landscape of the Hearst ranch forever.
•2005 – Hearst Ranch Conservation Project closes escrow transferring 13 miles (20.9 km) of coastline to State hands and forever protecting the 82000 acres (331.8 km²) Hearst Ranch.
•2007 – Hearst Ranch Beef Kiosk Opens at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center (1)
Modern times
The Hearst ranch is currently operated by Stephen Thompson Hearst, the great grandson of William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
and produces grass feed beef & pork for the retail markets.
In 2005, the Hearst Corporation, American Land Conservancy
American Land Conservancy
The mission of American Land Conservancy is to conserve land for the benefit of people and wildlife.- About ALC :American Land Conservancy is a non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to protecting America’s natural heritage by conserving land for the benefit of people and wildlife...
, California Rangeland Trust
California Rangeland Trust
The California Rangeland Trust was formed in 1998 by a group of ranchers within the California Cattlemen's Association. Since its inception, the trust has worked with voluntary landowners and other conservation partners to conserve of rangeland on 27 ranches across 19 counties.Steve Sinton was...
, and the State of California completed a comprehensive conservation project that permanently protects the 128 square miles (331.5 km²) Hearst Ranch. A major component of the project is the conservation easement restricting future development on 80000 acres (323.7 km²). The Hearst ranch is the largest privately-owned working cattle ranch remaining on the California Coast. The conservation easement ensures that the scenic, open space, agricultural and natural resource values of the ranch are preserved. California Rangeland Trust holds, monitors and enforces the conservation easement.