Statement of Significance (as of designation - January 20, 1961):
Established in 1831, Warner's Ranch was foremost a pioneering cattle ranch. From 1848 on, it was also a popular resting place for overland travellers entering California over the southern route, and was perhaps best known as a Butterfield Overland Mail stage station in 1859-1861. Today, two adobe structures--a house and barn--remain, situated on 221 acres of rural grazing land.

Condition:
The adobe ranch house is in very deteriorated condition and in danger of collapse. The porch floor and a portion of the front wall already have collapsed. Exposed portions of the adobe walls are eroding. Repairs with incompatible materials have accelerated rising damp and have caused further erosion of the adobe. The barn has also suffered damage, and the walls are failing.

The owner is sensitive to the needs of the resource and has taken some initial steps to halt the immediate deterioration. The stabilization measures are only temporary. Restoration plans will be developed after a recently issued Request for Proposals is completed. The work will be supervised by a qualified historical architect. However, funding to carry out the work has not been secured and until the work is finished the resource will be threatened. An architect and contract were selected to start the work. An historic structures report (HSR) is being researched and written by the architect. Drawings have been done for structural stabilization. A small grant was received from the state and the stabilization is in progress for the house and barn. Historic archeological investigations have been done for input into the HSR. At the end of October 2004 the stabilization work will be completed and there will be a dedication allowing limited public access. Improved but still threatened

Recommendation/Change since last report:
The owner should be encouraged to seek additional funds to complete stabilization as well as to repair deterioration.