Rancho Los Cerritos
Artifacts, Long
Beach, California
Top row left to right: Marcellus (1824 - 1908) & Mary A. Gould (1824 - 1872)
Bixby
Jotham Bixby (1831 - 1917)
Maggie (1873 - 1878), daughter of Jotham and Margaret Bixby
Margaret Hathaway (Mrs. Jotham) Bixby (1843 - 1927)
Rev. George Whitefield Hathaway (1807 - 1891), father of four Bixby wives
Center: Rosamond Bixby (1877 - 1899), daughter of Jotham & Margaret Bixby
Bottom Row, left to right:
Aunt Martha Hathaway (1846 - 1928)
Lewellyn Bixby (1825 - 1896)
Mary Hathaway (Mr.s Lewellyn) Bixby (1849-1882)
Children: Sarah H. Bixby (1871-1935), daughter of Lewellyn & Mary Bixby
Anne L. Bixby (1874 - 1967), daughter of Lewellyn & Mary Bixby
Harry L. Bixby (1870 - 1902), son of Jotham & Margaret Bixby
John William Bixby (1848 - 1887), cousin of Lewellyn & Jotham
Susan Hathaway (Mrs. John W.) Bixby (1845 - 1906)
Rancho Los Cerritos documents the history
of a region and influential families shaping Southern California's growth
into the modern metropolitan region we know. Museums can be boring but this
rancho museum is quite interesting. When your tour the house, you can not
only see the type of furniture, dishes, clothing and beds used during the
19th Century rancho era, there actually is a feeling attached to the space.
It's almost as if the spirits of those who once lived in Rancho Los Cerritos
have never left, and continue to watch over the home. In the first floor
library, this sensation is especially strong.
When you look at the
photos of the family members who lived at the rancho and listen to the
stories about their lives, you have an opportunity to imagine how different
life was not long ago. While the Long Beach ranchos--Alamitos and Los
Cerritos aren't typically ranked in tour books as top attractions, they are
gems, providing context in contrast to their surroundings. With extra time
in your itinerary or if you live locally, put this experience on your list
of things to see. The visit is great for adults and children. Of the
two ranchos, children favor
Rancho Los Alamitos
for its barns and horse children can pet.
Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is a
public museum today but was built in 1844 as the adobe home and grounds for
Spanish, Mexican and American families who helped transform Southern
California from its ranching beginnings to a modern, urban society. The
ranch includes a two-story Monterey-style adobe dating to the 1860s. Inside
the museum is a gift store, archival library and rancho house open for
tours. Outside on the Rancho grounds are
lovely gardens and trees
offering not only shade, but a glimpse into an earlier way of life.
Listed as a National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark, Rancho Los
Cerritos is owned by the City of Long Beach and operated through the
Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. Trained volunteers provide tours
and donate time to promote programs at Rancho Los Cerritos.
LONG BEACH
