Labor Day
Labor Day marks the unofficial last days of summer. We are starting to transition into the fall months and harvest season. We recognize the incredible contributions of the agricultural and ranching community to sustain society. This farm-to-table model has been the tradition for generations. We hope you enjoy this OC Register article from 2013 that showcases A Moulton Family Reunion.
Lewie and Charlotte Moulton Mathis, circa 1955
Julian Moulton Collection (2018.46)
Manzanita Ranch
Their son Scott, CFO of Moulton Company, just published an oral history of Woody Barnes. Through 350 pages and dozens of photographs, the book explores an extraordinary life in an extraordinary time. Woody remembers when their farm still did not have electricity, and tractors had to pull the semi trucks around corners because the trucks did not have enough power. He remembers loading 250 tons of pears onto trucks by hand for delivery to Kerns Los Angeles to make nectar. Woody’s extraordinary life illustrates the trajectory of agriculture in Southern California. Woody Barnes—A Farmer’s Life in Julian can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
During a Moulton Museum oral history, Woody shared, “We raised all kinds of fruits and vegetables – anything that would stand a little bit of freezing. So, we had strawberries and raspberries, and boysenberries, and blackberries. And in season – corn season was pretty short up here – string beans, radishes, turnips, all kinds of stuff like that. Plus, apples and pears and prunes and plums and quinces and walnuts, cherries. We raised beef cattle on some of the land that wasn’t suitable for orchards. At one time we probably had about fifty head here of beef cattle.”
Regarding the Manzanita Ranch label:
“Well, originally my grandfather and my dad were on the label. It was E.Y. Barnes and F.L. Barnes. And after E.Y. died, we put H.E. Barnes on there. And then I eventually put F.L. Barnes Jr. and F.L. Barnes on there. I still think I have a few of the old labels, but not the original ones.”
Apple Cider Recipe [Delish.com]
- 10 large apples, quartered
- 1/2 orange, halved
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp. cloves
- 1 tsp. whole allspice
- 1 whole nutmeg
- 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, add apples, oranges, spices, and brown sugar. Cover with water by at least 2”. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 2 hours.
- Remove orange halves, then use a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash apples. Return to a simmer and let simmer uncovered for 1 hour more.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing on solids with a wooden spoon to squeeze all juices out. Discard solids.
- Serve apple cider warm.
Cattle Roundup, circa 1960
Julian Moulton Collection (2018.46) Box 3 - Moulton Slides 5-9
The Barnes family also runs cattle on ranches in Northern California and Oregon. Scott Barnes is just published, Woody Barnes–A Farmer’s Life in Julian, an oral history with his father. Scott also authored Alice Barnes, Gold Mines and Apple Pie, an oral history of his grandmother. “Alice Barnes was a pioneer woman in an era when much of the country had been settled and modernized.” The San Diego History Center cited his work in their journal article Life Beyond Gold: A New Look at the History of Julian, Californian. Alice Barnes is available on Amazon.
Nellie Gail Moulton Exhibit
The Casa Romantica exhibit has been extended to September 20, 2020. Please visit our online exhibit to learn more about Nellie’s life story.
Nellie Gail Moulton Painting En Plein Air in Laguna Beach in 1920
(2018.13.79)
Laguna Main Beach
Nellie Gail Moulton (American, 1878-1972) Laguna Main Beach, c. 1935, Oil on board, Collection of Stephanie Hibbits (2017.01.65). 16″ x18″ $425
Rip Tide
Nellie Gail Moulton (American, 1878-1972) Rip Tide, c. 1930, Oil on artist’s board, Collection of DJ Mathis (2017.01.73). 20″ x 24″ $450
From the Archive
Letter from Richard Egan to Lewis Moulton, September 5, 1904 (2017.03.155)
Friend Moulton,
Please send down the certificate of water stock belonging to the Bacon lands as it will be necessary to cancel same and issue a new one, also one to Domingo for his shares.
Yours truly
R. Egan
You might-sign it on the back as agent for the Bacon heirs
The Aliso Viejo Ranch is continuing construction on this 7.7 acres of historical significance to the Moulton family. This was used for team headquarters with this original barn where historical farm instruments are stored to this day. The city is developing an adaptive reuse of the barn and and historic bunkhouse, once meeting space for the Mission Viejo Company. The foreman’s house is being rebuilt. This site is significant as it served as central area where meetings were held in the bunkhouse, equipment was repaired, meals were served, and foreman resided to oversee this operation. This visionary project that has partnered with local, state, and national agencies. The Moulton Museum is proud to provide historical contextualization, artifacts, and support the interpretive plan of this community space. See the vision of this site with this film: https://youtu.be/YfqJzz3i6_U.
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