Old Borges Ranch, Historic ranch district in Walnut Creek, US.
Old Borges Ranch is a 1,035-acre (418-hectare) property in the Mount Diablo foothills with a redwood farmhouse, barns, blacksmith shop, windmill, and period farm equipment. The site shows how a working agricultural property was laid out and operated over time.
Portuguese immigrant Francisco Borges founded the ranch in 1899 by acquiring 700 acres for cattle raising, then built the main farmhouse in 1901. The property remained under family management for five generations, adapting its operations over the decades.
The property reflects Portuguese immigrant heritage, with the Borges family's approach to farming shaped by their origins and passed down through generations. Visitors can see this legacy in how the buildings and land were organized around agricultural family life.
The property is accessible via Castle Rock Road with parking at the gated entrance, followed by a short walk to the main structures. Early morning visits on weekdays offer the best experience, with fewer visitors and clearer views across the hillsides.
The property remains actively operated today, with 4-H youth programs where young people care for goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens while cattle roam the hillsides. This ongoing agricultural work makes the ranch feel alive rather than frozen in time.
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