Nellie Gail Ranch, California

If you are looking for a place to live in Southern California that combines luxury, history, and nature, you might want to consider Nellie Gail Ranch. Nellie Gail Ranch is a prestigious equestrian community in Laguna Hills, named after a remarkable woman who played a significant role in the development of Orange County. Nellie Gail Moulton was born in 1878 in Kansas and moved to Nebraska as a child. She became a school teacher and later moved to Washington, where she met her future husband, Lewis Moulton. Lewis was a successful sheep rancher who owned 22,000 acres of land in what is now Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Woods. He had bought the land from the Mexican government in 1895 with his partner Jean Pierre Daguerre. Nellie married Lewis in 1908 and moved to his ranch, where they raised their two daughters, Charlotte and Louise. Nellie was not impressed by the dry and barren landscape at first, but she soon learned to love it and became an active member of the community. She was involved in many civic and cultural organizations, such as the Laguna Beach Art Association, the Ebell Club of Laguna Hills, and the Saddleback Valley Historical Society. She was also a talented painter who studied under famous artists like William Wendt and Anna Hills. Nellie inherited the ranch after Lewis died in 1938 and managed it until 1950, when she transferred it to her daughters. The ranch continued to operate as a sheep farm until the 1960s, when urbanization and population growth made it more profitable to sell the land for development. The Moulton family sold most of their land to various developers, but they kept 1,350 acres for themselves and created Nellie Gail Ranch, a master-planned community with large lots, horse trails, and recreational facilities. Today, Nellie Gail Ranch is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Orange County, with homes ranging from $2 million to over $10 million. The community offers a variety of amenities for its residents, such as a clubhouse, a tennis center, a swim center, an equestrian center, and 26 miles of trails. The community also hosts many events throughout the year, such as concerts, picnics, parades, and holiday celebrations. Nellie Gail Ranch is more than just a place to live; it is a place to celebrate the legacy of Nellie Gail Moulton and her family. She was a pioneer, a philanthropist, an artist, and a visionary who helped shape the history and culture of Orange County. If you are interested in learning more about Nellie Gail Ranch or finding your dream home there, contact us today. We would love to help you discover this amazing community.