History of the ranch
Originally named Rancho de los Picos, the ranch was owned by the Pico family since they arrival in 1776 till 1941. It was sold to Santa Barbara County surveyor Frank Flournoy for $6,000 and later acquired by Ray and Rosalie Cornelius. The Reagans purchased the ranch in 1974 for little over half a million dollars. Rancho del Cielo includes a pond called Lake Lucky, stables and a barn for horses, and a small house. The ranch was sold to the Young America’s Foundation in 1998 and dedicated as a California State Landmark by the Native Sons of the Golden West in 2002.
REAGANS AT Rancho del Cielo
The ranch was Ronald Reagan’s favorite place and he visited it anytime there was an opportunity for a longer break during his presidency. The ranch was a remarkably modest place with no luxuries one would expect from a presidential family. The Reagans expanded the house to allow for the two bodyguards to stay at the ranch but even after the remodeling it remained at only 1,500 SF.
Reagan insisted on taking care of the property by himself and his time at the ranch was filled with horseback riding or doing ranch work.
Rancho del Cielo was often called the Western White House and eventually a helicopter landing pad and temporary buildings were added in order to house the Secret Service Agents.
Barney Barnett and Dennis LeBlanc were Reagan’s companions while taking care of the ranch and the main rule between these three friends was to never chat about politics.
The ranch did become a popular destination hosting guests like Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II and Mikhail Gorbachev.
President Raegan visited the ranch for the last time in 1995 and Nancy sold it to the foundation in 1998.
Rancho del Cielo Today
The Young America’s Foundation owns the ranch today and continues to keep the property a testament to the president’s s ideas, values, and accomplishments.
The ranch is open for YAF’s programs and special events offering tours of the ranch for the young conservative students.
To learn more about the history of the ranch visit Ronald Regan – Presidential Library and Museum.
