Camarillo Ranch House
Also known as: Rancho Calleguas
Why it's listed
Built in 1892, the Camarillo Ranch House is a two-story Queen Anne residence in Camarillo, California, with a three-story octagonal tower, a wraparound veranda and fish-scale shingle detailing. It was the home of rancher Adolfo Camarillo, who became one of the largest landowners and most influential citizens in Ventura County. The surrounding ranch once covered 10,000 acres, but most of its outbuildings were demolished in 1999 for new development. The 4.49-acre parcel retains the house, a ca. 1905 wood-frame mule barn moved in one piece, and a 1967 stable. The house was restored in 1999-2000 and now operates as a museum and event site owned by the city. Its significance rests on Camarillo's role in county agriculture between 1892 and 1952, on the house as a fine local example of Queen Anne architecture, and on the mule barn as a typical turn-of-the-century livestock barn. It is the only surviving ranch house from Camarillo's early development.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Adolfo Camarillo, one of Ventura County's most successful ranchers, largest landowners and influential citizens, under Criterion B in the context of agriculture. It is also argued to be an excellent example of Queen Anne architecture in the county, and the mule barn an excellent turn-of-the-century livestock barn. It is the only extant ranch house from Camarillo's early development period.
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 03000039, listed February 20, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 201 Camarillo Ranch Rd., Camarillo |
|---|---|
| County | Ventura County |
| Listed | February 20, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000039 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1892-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Anlauf, Herman; Ward, Franklin |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne; Other: Wood-frame Mule Barn |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Camarillo and operated as a house museum and event venue; restored 1999-2000 and described as in excellent condition. The mule barn is currently used for storage. |
| Acreage | 4.5 |
| Coordinates | 34.21816, -119.01808 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 03000039.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5024958
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.