McFarland Living History Ranch

Beautiful! Lots of parking, clean bathrooms, only was outdoors but really loved this venue! Was here with the Kilgore family. Would be an excellent location for a wedding reception, large party, reunion, anything really! I can’t wait to go back and tour the house, I heard the rennovation is gorgeous.
(There is a Mule, Goat and a few chickens in the back, also a cute garden)

The McFarland Ranch, originally a part of the vast land holdings of John McFarland, is now owned by the Sacramento County Department of Parks and Recreation, and a portion of it is leased to the Galt Area Historical Society. I was here the other day, as a place for our Group to enjoy Lunch and pit stop. The grounds were open, a few caretakers were busy, but otherwise the place looked like it was getting ready for the next school visit or maybe fall hay ride. I spent a far amount of time wandering around the spacious grounds, taking note of the large white family house, various agricultural building, and lots of old farm equipment.
The ranch was owned and farmed by John McFarland who came to this valley in 1853 and purchased 1,800 acres of farmland to grow grain. John McFarland became a rancher of prominence and was the man who gave Galt its name, naming the town after a small town in Ontario, Canada, where he had lived with his parents. When John McFarland died, he willed all his land and the 2 story home to his niece, Mrs. Mary Orr. When she died, she left the land and home to her daughters. Her daughter, Beatrice Smithson, who was born on the ranch, remained there until her death. At that time she sold the entire estate to the Nature Conservancy, with the understanding that the home of John McFarland would be preserved for history.
The Nature Conservancy sold a 35 acre portion of that land and the house to the Sacramento County Department of Parks, The Galt Historical has then leased and is charged with preserving this property and turning it into a «Living History Ranch. he Ranch provides an opportunity to children and their families to experience the life of pioneer farmers as it was at the turn of the century.