Ventura County Landmark No. 8: Don Adolfo Camarillo House

Historical Background

The house was built for Don Adolfo Camarillo, known as the “last of the California Dons”. It is a two-story, Queen Anne/Victorian-style residence with seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two towers. Landings were added to the stairway in 1913 and a walk-in electric refrigerator was installed in 1915. Don Adolfo was a prominent business, agricultural, and political leader. The house is on the 10,000 acres of the former Rancho Calleguas his father bought for $3,000 in gold in 1876. Designed by local architects, Herman Anlauf and F. P. Ward. (Other Adolfo Camarillo related sites: Point of Interest No. 3 and Historical Landmark No. 22.)

Once used as a fancy way to address Spanish nobles, the usage of the Don title evolved to mean a distinguished gentleman (University of San Francisco, 2023). Don Adolfo assumed responsibility for the ranch at the age of 16 upon his father’s death. He graduated from Woodbury College and quickly developed the primarily cattle ranch into a diverse, thriving agricultural business growing lima beans, walnuts, barley, citrus, avocado, and other crops. In collaboration with Joseph Lewis, he also operated a dairy on the Ranch (now the site of Leisure Village). Adolfo would manage Rancho Calleguas (later known as Camarillo Ranch) for a total of 78 prosperous years (Camarillo Ranch Foundation, 2023).

Innovation

Adolfo Camarillo was innovative and a forward thinker for his time. He owned one of the first cars in Ventura County and one of the first telephones. He also owned the very first-walk in refrigerator, which he bought at the Pan American Exposition in San Francisco in 1910. It can still be seen today on tours of the Camarillo Ranch House. One of his signature achievements is the creation of a beautiful, distinctive breed of horse called the Camarillo White Horse. These horses are still paraded today at Camarillo Ranch events and other special occasions statewide (Camarillo Ranch Foundation, 2023).

Hospitality

The ranch was noted for its hospitality. A warm and gracious host, Adolfo loved to throw large barbeques and parties for family and friends, ranch employees, and the local community. These were lively and colorful events, attracting visitors from far reaches of California as well as the world. The historical family guestbook remains on display today at the Camarillo Ranch House for modern guests to admire (Camarillo Ranch Foundation, 2023).

Ranch Today

Docent-guided tours of the Camarillo family’s 1892 Queen Anne Victorian home provide access to all 15 rooms, including the family’s bedrooms and Adolfo’s study and ranch office (now an exhibit room with revolving displays). Admire the 12-foot ceilings and extensive interior woodwork as you wander the house. Items belonging to the Camarillo family, historical photographs, and period-appropriate furnishings bring to life the colorful stories shared by the Camarillo Ranch Foundation. Don’t forget to step outside and take in lovely views of the front lawn and gardens from the home’s generous wraparound porch (Camarillo Ranch Foundation, 2023).