Rogers Ranch: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Point Reyes National Seashore

Regions 8, 9, 10, & 12 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

Inventory Unit Description: The Rogers Ranch is an approximately 219-acre ranching property that is located on the northeastern side of the Olema Valley. The ranch is situated within the North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, west of Highway 1. Per a Directive for Management, by regional director to superintendent, the property is managed by Point Reyes National Seashore. The ranch encompasses the west facing slopes of Bolinas Ridge down to Highway 1 at the western property boundary and is bordered by McFadden Ranch on the north, private property to the south and McIsaac Ranch to the west. The ranch core, made up of a cluster of buildings, sits on one of the few flat areas of the property, surrounded by steep slopes leading to grazing lands on the rolling hillsides. The ranch historically supported dairy and beef operations, but functions as a beef cattle ranch today. Rogers Ranch is one of 19 ranches within the Olema Valley/Lagunitas Loop Ranches Historic District that were collectively determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic District was determined significant at a local-level under Criteria A and C with a period of significance from 1856 to 1961. Under Criterion A, the district is significant for its small and medium-sized family owned farms and ranches, most of which emphasized dairy production. Under Criterion C, the district is significant for its excellent examples of local rural vernacular architecture, especially dairy building types. The period of significance covers roughly a century, beginning with the initial American settlement of the area in 1856 and extending to 1961 when the federal government authorized the creation of Point Reyes National Seashore. This period encompasses the major development of the roads, buildings, structures, fence lines, and delineation of pastures within the district. Rogers Ranch traded between dairy and beef ranching for nearly a century until its conversion to a cattle ranch in 1970, appears today much as it did during the period of significance and retains its historical integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. The Rogers Ranch complex contains seven historic buildings organized in a row along the main ranch road. Contributing resources include the Old Milking Barn, Grade A Dairy, Cube Hay Barn, Carriage Shed, Creamery, Garage/Shed, and Fire Truck Shed. Non-contributing resources include a non-historic water tank, mobile home and contemporary shed as well as contemporary fences, corrals and concrete pads that are noncontributing, but compatible. The historic ranching character of the Rogers Ranch is still evident in the following landscape characteristics: natural systems and features, spatial organization, land use, vegetation, circulation, buildings and structures, and small scale features. Based on the evaluation of these characteristics, the cultural landscape at Rogers Ranch was found to exhibit key patterns, relationships, and features that convey the historical significance of the district. Overall, the landscape is in fair condition.

Rogers Ranch: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Point Reyes National Seashore

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