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| Landmark #415 | Stanislaus County | Visited: June 27, 2015 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | The Willms Ranch is still operating under Willms family ownership! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Arriving in California October 12, 1849, John R. Willms and John H. Kappelmann engaged in the hotel and butcher businesses in Buena Vista, in what is now Stanislaus County. They bought up mining claims and settler’s claims until, by 1852, they had a tract of 3,600 acres. The “KW” brand was the first in Tuolumne County in 1852. After the death of Kappelmann, Willms carried on alone, and the ranch has been owned by the Willms family ever since.
OTHER TIDBITS: Actually, Mr. Willms and Mr. Kappelman got their start selling horses to miners, especially in Virginia City, Nevada, and Bodie, California! Their land kept growing and growing after their deaths, maxing out at 10,000 acres, but now it is about 2,300 acres and in the process of being divided up into smaller properties! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: On Willms Rd 1.3 mi S of State Hwy 120 (P.M. 170) 1.9 mi S of Knights Ferry, CA 95386 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~327mi (527km) — 5.5hrs |
| When should I go? | The site is currently closed to visitors, but you can see the exterior any time you like! |