Ben Gefvert Ranch Historic District
Also known as: Charles D. Smith; C.D. Smith & Sons
Why it's listed
This 57.2-acre farmstead on Whites Bridge Road, west of Fresno, preserves the layout of a late nineteenth century raisin ranch. Charles D. Smith planted the first vineyard and orange trees in 1891 and built the farmhouse and barn. Swedish immigrant Ben Gefvert bought the land in 1900 and added more vines. After his death in 1917 his daughter Anna managed the ranch, and the family has owned it since. The vernacular redwood farmhouse began as one story and gained a second in 1908-09. It has a wraparound porch and a brick foundation. Surrounding it are mature trees seen in 1897 and 1908 photographs and an heirloom rose garden. About 55 acres of raisin grapes remain, some among the oldest in Fresno County, along with an acre of orange trees and the 1880s Schatz Canal on the north edge. Listed under the agriculture theme, the ranch is described as a rare, intact remnant of the county's farming past, with a 1938 garage as the only noncontributing building.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the ranch is significant under Criterion A for its association with agricultural development in Fresno County, particularly viticulture and the early raisin industry. It is described as a rare, intact family farm that has been operated continuously since 1891, with some of the oldest raisin vineyards in the county. It also represents a typical late 19th and early 20th century farmstead.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 10001117, listed January 7, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4770 W Whites Bridge Rd, Fresno |
|---|---|
| County | Fresno County |
| Listed | January 7, 2011 |
| Reference number | 10001117 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1891-1968 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The farmhouse and barn, built in 1891, are described as still in use. The land is still farmed, by contracted work since the mid-1960s. |
| Acreage | 57.2 |
| Coordinates | 36.73816, -119.87827 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 10001117.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.