Published as a complement to the collections of the educational center and museum housed in the nineteenth century adobe house at the site, this volume presents the history of the southern California site including discussions of the indigenous populations that used the area as a trading and ceremonial hub, the enormous grant of three hundred thousand acres made to a Spanish soldier in 1784 and its subsequent role as a functioning rancho in the life and development of the region. The volume includes numerous historical photographs, maps and other documents as well as sidebars that provide snapshots of daily life through snippets of correspondence from people associated with the ranch. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)