McIsaac Ranch: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Point Reyes National Seashore

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

Inventory Unit Description The McIsaac Ranch is located southeast of the Zanardi Ranch. It consists of two parcels of land, one on the west side and one on the east side of Lagunitas Creek, which together total 1,065 acres. Each parcel originally contained its own dairy complex, but today the only remaining ranch core is on the east side, with only the Garcia (Shafter) House remaining on the west side. The smaller parcel on the west side of the creek encompasses the top and sides of a small knob. The southwest facing slopes contain open grasslands, while the northeast-facing slopes are mostly timbered. The parcel east of Lagunitas Creek is mostly grassland on steep rolling hills culminating at the top of a high ridge overlooking the Nicasio Valley, and contains the mostly intact ranch core developed by Guiseppie Codoni and his descendants. The ranch perimeter is fenced along its historical boundary, although most of the original split redwood picket fencing has been replaced with modern materials. Some of the original fencing can be found in the vicinity of the McIsaac Ranch core, mostly adjacent to a ranch road that leads from the building cluster to the top of the ridge behind it. McIsaac 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. McIsaac Ranch, which operated without interruption as a dairy ranch for over 103 years until its conversion to a cattle ranch in 1973, 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 McIsaac Ranch contains five historic buildings and two structures organized around a historic utility yard in the ranch core in addition to the historic Garcia (Shafter) House located three-quarters of a mile northwest of the ranch core. Contributing buildings include: the Main House, Old Milking Barn, Calf Barn, Grade A Dairy, Horse Barn, and the Garcia (Shafter) House. Other contributing resources include a bridge, water tank, concrete pads associated with the Grade A Dairy, ranch roads, and the access road to the Garcia (Shafter) House. The ranching character of the McIsaac Ranch is still evident in the following landscape characteristics: natural systems and features, spatial organization, land use, vegetation, circulation, and buildings and structures. Based on the evaluation of these characteristics, the cultural landscape at McIsaac 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.

McIsaac Ranch: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Point Reyes National Seashore

Series

See also