Much of the Preserve appears
as it would have to early-1800s
California settlers. Great care
was taken to ensure that infra-
structure and homes leave as
small a footprint as possible.
Photo: LC Lambrecht
ROOM TO SPARE. INHABITED BY THE INDIGENOUS RUMSEN PEOPLE FOR MILLENNIA, THE LAND WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO MEXICAN
LAND GRANTS, SAN FRANCISQUITO AND EL POTRERO DE SAN CARLOS, IN THE 1830S. THE TWO TRACTS WERE EVENTUALLY
COMBINED INTO RANCHO SAN CARLOS IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE LAND WAS USED FOR CATTLE
RANCHING AND AS THE PLAYGROUND OF WEALTHY POLO-PLAYING PREVIOUS OWNERS. THROUGHOUT, WHILE THE NEIGHBOR-
ING MONTEREY PENINSULA AND CARMEL VALLEY WERE GROWING INTO MODERN COMMUNITIES, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE
RANCHO LAND LAY FALLOW AND UNTOUCHED BY DEVELOPMENT OF ANY KIND.
C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5 125
