THE CARRILLO RANCH operations included the raising of cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and goats. Crops of wheat, barley and hay were grown to supplement the ranching efforts.
Due to the convenient location of the Carrillo Ranch at the fork in the road between San Diego and Los Angeles on the Southern Emigrant Trail, in 1858, Vicenta signed a contract with John Butterfield to operate as a "swing station" on his Overland Mail stage route.
It is estimated upwards of 250,000 souls passed through this property during the 19th century. With the commercial opportunity this afforded, the Carrillos opened a trading post, operated by Vicenta's eldest son, José: Antonio Yorba. Ramón Carrillo applied for and received the position of post master. Both Ramón and Vicenta were illiterate and relied on son José Antonio (educated at Boston College) to handle all the paperwork involved in running the various ranch operations.
Carrillo Period - 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
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