The sincere and cordial
greeting of rancho owners such as Don José Serrano and Juan
Avila was a characteristic of the age of the rancho in
California, and, of course, in today’s Saddleback Valley. A glow
often surrounds that era when cattle was king, and the landscape
was dotted by a sparse collection of scattered adobes, each of
which was a symbol of ownership, individual and family.
Vast acreages had been
granted by the governments, very few by the Spanish authorities,
a much larger number given out by the authority of the Mexican
government after that country had secured its independence from
a declining Spain. Stranger or friend, the welcome was always
the same, for the traveler would bring news. He and his horse,
for horsemanship was the hallmark of the period, would receive
food, shelter, and financial aid if such was required.
_____________________________________
6 x
9 inches
125 illustrations & maps; 210 pages
ISBN 1-891-30-31-0
Softcover
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Stories
of
Old El Toro
Essays On A Time
Gone By
By
Joe Osterman
(Formerly titled
Recuerdos de
El Toro Viejo)
"Stories of Old El Toro is the last book by local
historian Joe Osterman. His vast knowledge coupled with
over one hundred photographs gives a visual panorama of
the old community."
--
Douglas Westfall, Publisher |
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