Adolfo Camarillo

Don Adolfo Camarillo, (October 28, 1864 - December 10, 1958) was a prominent land owner, horse breeder, rancher, and Philanthropist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Ventura County area of California, U.S.A. Adolfo, along with his brother Juan, Jr., owned much of what would later become the town known by their family name, Camarillo. [http://www.venturatoday.net/camhist.html Ventura County Information Site] - Where Did The Name "Camarillo" Come From?] Adolfo also donated the land for Adolfo Camarillo High School. [ [http://www.camarillohigh.us/about/achs.htm Adolfo Camarillo High School] - official site] The horse breed Camarillo White Horse was named for Camarillo, he started breeding them in 1921 and the line continues today. In addition because of Adolfo’s philanthropy in 1950, Pope Pius XII named Adolfo a Knight of St. Gregory. [http://www.camarilloranch.org/docs/about_history.htm Camarillo Ranch] - Camarillo Ranch Official site]

Biography

Adolfo was born to Juan Camarillo (1812-1880) and Martina Camarillo (1826-1898) He had four sisters and one brother. When Juan Camarillo died, Rancho Calleguas, the ranch he had obtained from the Ruiz family in 1875, was willed to his wife. Upon Juan’s death, Adolfo took over operations of the family ranch at age 16. [http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/main.aspx?q=6072&p=9726 City of Camarillo Official Site] - Local History] In 1865 Adolfo graduated from International Business College (Woodbury University). After that he took over full-time management of the ranch at age 21. In 1888 Adolfo married Isabella Menchaca (1861-1936). Adolfo and Isabel raised seven children together. Upon the death of Martina Camarillo, she bequeathed the Rancho Calleguas to her sons, Adolfo and Juan, Jr. This would later go on to become Camarillo Ranch and then the city of Camarillo. Adolfo would go on to run the Camarillo Ranch; until his death in 1958 the Ranch would grow from a mostly cattle operation to both cattle and crops.

Don Adolfo died of pneumonia December 10, 1958, and is interred in the family crypt beneath St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo, alongside his parents, his wife, sisters and brothers. [ [http://www.smmcam.org/ParishHistor.asp St. Mary Magdalen Parish] - History]

Camarillo’s White horses

The Camarillo White Horse is relatively modern breed known for its pure white color. They date back to 1921, when Adolfo Camarillo purchased 9-year-old Sultan at the California State Fair in Sacramento. [ [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/READY+FOR+ROSE+PARADE%3B+WHITE+HORSES+TO+REPRESENT+CAMARILLO-a083395165 the Free Library] - Rose parade article ] Adolfo would go on to breed Sultan to Morgan mares at the Camarillo Ranch. This would go on for the next 65 years as the family privately owned and bred the Camarillo White Horses. Since the 30’s these horses have became famous by being featured up and down the California coast at various parades and events. The California White Horses were privately owned and bred by the Camarillo family until the death of Adolfo Camarillo’s daughter Carmen, in 1987.

Many people of note have ridden on Camarillo White Horses including Governor Ronald Reagan, president Harding, 1946 Nobel Peace Prize recipient John Mott, as well as movie stars Leo Carrillo and Steven Ford (son of President Gerald Ford). [ [http://www.camarilloranch.org/docs/about_history.htm Camarillo Ranch] - Camarillo Ranch Official site]

References

External links

* [http://www.beachcalifornia.com/camhouse.html California Museums ]
* [http://www.camarillowhitehorses.org/history_camarillo_white_horses.html/The Camarillo White Horse Association ]