Moulton Museum

Opening Summer 2021

The Moulton Museum will be opening summer 2021. It will have rotating exhibits that feature Lewis F. Moulton’s ranching legacy, Nellie Gail Moulton’s artwork, daily life, business culture, and local history. The archive contains family photos, maps, furniture, ephemera, personal papers, and corporate history.

Nellie Gail Moulton Exhibit

Casa Romantica Display Honoring Nellie Gail Moulton’s Legacy

A fully conserved art collection is being shown in San Clemente as a reminder that she was more than a benefactor to much of Orange County. The exhibit has been extended to November 15th, 2020.

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Cowboys & Ranchers

From Rancho Niguel to Moulton Ranch

We have a history of herding sheep in the rolling hills of Laguna to cattle roundups in the canyons, to corporate development in the 1960s. Our story of land usage showcases the ever changing landscape of Orange County.

Aliso Viejo Ranch

100 Park Ave, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

The Moulton family has worked closely with concerned citizens and the Aliso Viejo City Council in an effort to save and restore the only remaining buildings from the Moulton Ranch. The Moulton Museum has agreed to contribute artifacts to the new development at Aliso Viejo Ranch. This site is scheduled to be completed November 2020.

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HERITAGE. COMMUNITY. PHILANTHROPY.

Our core values are reflected in our archives, exhibits, educational programs, and partnerships.

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Corporate Sponsors

Maxwell, California

Moulton Roundup

In these times, family and friends are more important than ever. For over a century, the Moulton family has been gathering, working their cattle and building community just like they used to do on the Moulton Ranch during the ranching period of Orange County. At Moulton Museum we hope to tell the stories and share the traditions that bring us all together, connect us to our past and keep our community spirit alive into the future. Enjoy the video from our latest round-up held in Maxwell, CA earlier this year.

What is a Roundup?

Watch our 10 minute film about this historic event.

One of the original FOUNDERS of Orange County

Lewis Fenno Moulton & Nellie Gail Moulton

The Moulton Ranch was established by Lewis Fenno Moulton. He was a twenty year old Bostonian who learned to run a ranching operation by working at Rancho San Joaquin starting in 1874. 

According to Louise Moulton Hanson, “In 1881 he bought Jonathan Bacon’s band of sheep and rented his 1,600 acres.” Lewis F. Moulton and Company was established with Jean Pierre Daguerre, a Basque sheepherder, in 1874. 

On April 29, 1884 Lewis leased “17,000 acres, from Cyrus Rawson” (2018.43) which was a part of Rancho Niguel, a Mexican land grant once owned by Juan Avila. Throughout the years, Lewis purchased 21,723 acres which became the Moulton Ranch.

Today, the land comprises much of Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and Aliso Viejo. We aim to work with these cities to provide them with their heritage and preserve the past. Together we can educate the communities by exhibiting their history at the Moulton Museum.

Cities Incorporated from Moulton Ranch

Laguna Niguel

Acquired: 1959 by the Laguna Niguel Corporation Incorporated‎: ‎December 1, 1989

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Laguna Woods

Acquired: 1963 by Ross Cortese as Leisure World Incorporated: March 24, 1999

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Laguna Hills

Subdivided in the early 1960s from the Moulton Ranch Incorporated: December 20, 1991

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Aliso Viejo

Acquired: 1976 by the Mission Viejo Company Incorporated: July 1, 2001

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Dana Point

Acquisition: Early 1960s by Avco Community Incorporated: January 1, 1989

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Laguna Beach

Incorporated: June 29, 1927

City's History

Visit the current city's website.
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Pioneers of Orange County

Before Orange County annexed from the Los Angeles county in August 1889, families resided here and developed a rich ecosystem of agriculture and commerce. Lewis F. Moulton arrived in 1874 at twenty years old.

PAST: Who is the Moulton Family

The family was established in 1908 when Lewis married Nellie. The had two daughters, Charlotte and Louise. Charlotte married Glenn and had three children. These are the decendants of these pioneers.

PRESENT: Moulton Museum by Moulton Co.

The museum's vast collection of personal papers, maps, photographs, slides, fine art, household furniture, home decor, to ranch equipment showcase daily life during the 19th and 20th century.

FUTURE: PLANS to Partner and Expand

Our community partnerships continue to expand our collections and interpretive plan. We hope to move into a larger facility to serve a larger audience and influence our interpretive plan.

ABOUT THE MOULTON FAMILY

Development of Moulton Ranch

November 1, 1776

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded by Father Junípero Serra, a priest in the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church on behalf of Spain. “California’s cattle industry began in 1769 when Captain Gaspar de Portola and his group of missionaries and soldiers brought 200 head of cattle to the area, and by 1863, approximately three million cattle were grazing on the hills of California.”

November 1, 1776

1821

Rancho Era

Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821. California became Mexican territory and many rancheros were formed in Southern California, including Rancho Niguel.

1821

1848-1850

California Formed

In 1848, The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed with Mexican government that ended the war. The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill. California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850

1848-1850

1874

Lewis Fenno Moulton

Lewis Fenno Moulton (1854-1938) arrives at Rancho San Joaquin (Irvine Ranch) at twenty years old. Louise Moulton Hanson shared, “He got a job on the San Joaquin ranch working under Charles French. He and Mr. French bought a flock of sheep, and my father eventually bought out Mr. French. He ran his sheep on rented land from Oceanside to Wilmington.” 

1874

1895

L. F. Moulton & Co.

Lewis forms the L. F. Moulton and Co.  with Basque partner, Jean Pierre Daguerre to run the 21,723 acres. Lewis bought out his partner and renamed this operation Moulton Ranch. This encompasses what is now Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods and Laguna Hills.

1895

OUR COLLECTION

Nellie Gail Paintings

FEATURED EVENT

Witness History

March 13 - June 28th, 2020

Casa Romantica​

415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, CA 92672

Who was Nellie Gail Moulton? Pioneer, Artist and so much more.

The opening reception has been postponed with a date to be determined due to the COVID-19.  The site is closed until further notice. The exhibit has been extended to November 15th, 2020.
This exhibit is featured on the cover of March 2020 Orange County Magazine. It has been highlighted nationwide by ARTFIXdaily.
Online Exhibit

Moulton Ranch Center Mural by Tim Smith, LCAD

March 2020

Laguna Hills, CA

The Moulton Ranch Center (formerly the Cabot Town Center) has a fantastic new addition with these murals that capture the spirit of the Moulton Ranch!

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Moulton Roundup

March 2020 in Maxwell, CA

An annual tradition since Moulton Ranch days, the Moulton family gathers annually to brand the cattle and retain is ranching heritage at their California properties.

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Moulton Elementary Mural

29851 Highlands Ave, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

The Moulton Co. and Moulton Museum support the arts. This Moulton Ranch Mural was created by Walter Viszolay in 2015. It was part of an exhibit on the Moulton family.

Read the Article

Laguna College of Art + Design

Laguna Beach, CA

As a founder of LCAD, Nellie Gail Moulton’s legacy continues to sustain its operation. Learn more on the LCAD site about this opportunity to contribute.

Laguna Hills Civic Center​

24035 El Toro Road | Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Terra Cotta Busts – 6 life-sized terra cotta busts in the lobby

Nellie Gail Display Case – A history of the life of Nellie Gail in the lobby

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Laguna Playhouse

606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Jared Mathis is serving as the chairman of the board for the centennial celebration. The Laguna Playhouse announces its 100th Anniversary Season! The gala will be taking place in October 2020 with a formal invitation to follow.

2020 Season

A WESTERN AFFAIR 2021: Celebrating Our Ranching Roots

California Rangeland Trust will gather on April 23rd & 24th, 2021 at Rancho Mission Viejo to celebrate our ranching roots and the pivotal role ranching continues to play in the growth of healthy communities.

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Reata Oakbrooke Village Timeline

24391 Avenida De La Carlota #100, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

This historic timeline was created by Shea Homes as a Public Art Installation. The street Avenida de la Carlota was aptly named for Charlotte Moulton Mathis, the daughter of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton.

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Coming Soon: Aliso Viejo Ranch​

100 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

The multi-disciplinary Aliso Viejo Ranch project is set to open 2020. It preserves and restores historically significant buildings, artifacts and farming implements from the 1800s and highlights the importance of the agricultural past of Orange County, the state of California and Western United States while demonstrating the future of sustainable agriculture and aquaponics.

Learn More

News Articles

FEATURING MOULTON RANCH & FAMILY

Lewis Moulton and his horse, Lady

June 1, 2021

Lewis Moulton and His Horse, Lady Lewis F. Moulton with his mare, Lady. By JANET WHITCOMB | Orange County Register August 8, 2015 at 5:55 p.m. He

Holidays on the Homestead

December 10, 2020

We hope you enjoy the “Holidays on the Homestead” article by Carolyn Smuts for Wrangler Living in Rancho Mission Viejo. 

Our Mission

“To Protect, Diversify and Grow Moulton Family Assets”

Our Vision

“To Provide the Family the Freedom to Pursue Its Passions while Building the Moulton Legacy”

The Moulton Company is a family owned and operated private equity asset management company based in Irvine, CA. Formed in 2007, The Moulton Company manages residential, commercial retail and industrial properties nationwide with most holdings located in Southern California. Some of the portfolio properties have been held in the Moulton family for over 100 years. The Moulton Ranch, predecessor to The Moulton Company, was a sheep and cattle ranch that stretched from present day Lake Forest to Dana Point and encompassed approximately 22,000 acres.

The CEO of MMB Management is Jared Mathis and the CFO is Scott T. Barnes, both great-grandsons of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton, founders of the Moulton Ranch. With a foundation built on agriculture starting in the 1890’s, the Moulton family is still actively farming and ranching throughout California and Oregon. Also, in the tradition of Nellie Gail Moulton, the Moulton Company supports the local community primarily though involvement with The Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), the Laguna Playhouse/Moulton Theatre and as a member of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

Get in Touch

CONTACT US

General Inquiries​

Please provide your research questions and our historical experts will help you.

Let us know if you’d like to schedule a visit.

949-257-2505
info@moultonmuseum.org

About

The Moulton Museum, a 501c3 non-profit works to keep the history of Orange County and its ranching era alive. We archive, restore, and exhibit Orange County historical artifacts.

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  • Phone: (949) 257-2205
  • info@moultonmuseum.org
  • Orange County, CA
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