The Melings and Richard Stevens lost vein of gold

Quote: Originally posted by Lance S.

Which one did Stephens formerly own? "In the diary he spoke of some ranch land that he owned. He was involved in a protracted legal fight over the title. Recently, I stumbled across a Bajabound article about a hunting and fishing lodge for American tourists. The former owner was guess who? Richard Stephens!' [Edited on 8-4-2024 by Lance S.]

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

Quote: Originally posted by Lance S.   Which one did Stephens formerly own? "In the diary he spoke of some ranch land that he owned. He was involved in a protracted legal fight over the title. Recently, I stumbled across a Bajabound article about a hunting and fishing lodge for American tourists. The former owner was guess who? Richard Stephens!' ahhh. I think the land Stephens owned later became Hamilton Ranch.

So, before Hattie Hamilton, perhaps?

From my 'Sky Ranchos' article:

Hamilton Ranch was located not far from the coast, between Colonia Guerrero and Mission Santo Domingo. It was actually next to the first site of the 1775 mission, which moved a couple miles east in 1798. Hamilton Ranch was a very popular get-away, frequented by celebrities. A 1927 Automobile Club Report said,“We found the meals excellent, and eleven rooms in a new adobe house furnished with Simmons beds, fine mattresses and brand new bedding, several baths and flush toilets are included in this new building. It surely is a surprise to many to find these modern conveniences in this out of the way place.”

The landing strip at the Hamilton Ranch was nearly 2,000 feet long. Many a ‘Hollywood-type’ would go there to get away from the cameras of the Paparazzi. Hunting and fishing were popular, as well as at the other sky ranches. Another famous guest at the Hamilton Ranch was mystery author and Perry Mason creator, Erle Stanley Gardner.

Gardner wrote many pages about of the Hamilton Ranch in his 1948 Baja travel adventure book ‘The Land of Shorter Shadows’ and mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Parodi had recently purchased the ranch from Hattie Hamilton. When Gardner and his five friends arrived, the place was undergoing repairs and being upgraded. Mrs. Parodi was alone but refused offers of help with anything. She fed the party dinner and made up six beds for the night. She also lit the kerosene water heater for them all to enjoy a hot shower.

Gardner returned to the Hamilton Ranch but would from then on referred to Mrs. Parodi as “Margo.” In Gardner’s 1967 ‘Off the Beaten Track in Baja’ we read that Margo had some health issues but was fully recovered and accommodating a few tourists. The last Auto Club reference to Hamilton Ranch being open was in 1975. Owner Margo Parodi Ceseña, herself a former Hollywood starlet, died in 1977.When visited in 2017, I found the wooden ranch complex was mostly gone, marked by its many shade trees just west of the big red rock hillside. The hillside’s white-painted ‘HR’ still marking the spot.

In 1927:

Thanks DK no YouTube videos recently, may make one here locally soon to promote my book, The Gold of Northern Baja by Jens Tobias -- I got an ebike and am going to test it out up in the local mountains in the Cleveland National Forest and make a video. Still hope to do a big Baja tour pretty soon. I will also be at the Baja Expo in San Diego on August 24. Will probably see you there.

I found Hamilton Rancho on Google Earth! it is a little inland on the south side of the big arroyo. There is a line of eucalyptus trees, not sure if this is all that is left of the old ranch or if it is in the area next to the arroyo.





See the HR upper rightcorner. In Towns of Baja California the editor noted that in 1910 the total population of the greater San Quintin area was 338. One can only imagine the natural beauty of the area in the 1920's - 1960's when the resort was in operation.

the HR sign is always in fresh paint