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The story of Rancho Mission Viejo began 120 years ago when
partners Richard O'Neill, Sr.
 and
James Flood bought Rancho Santa Margarita and Las Flores in northern
San Diego County (now Camp Pendleton) and its adjoining Rancho
Mission Viejo and Rancho Trabuco in southern Orange County.
Collectively spanning more than 200,000 acres and stretching from
Aliso Creek (near El Toro Road) south to Oceanside, the combined
properties were acclaimed by many as "the greatest of all
California 'ranchos.'"
1882 - 1940s: In
1882, in a deal struck with a handshake, Flood and O'Neill became
equal partners of the Rancho Santa Margarita y las Flores, Ranch
Mission Viejo and Ranch Trabuco lands. Flood provided the money to
purchase the ranches; and O'Neill, offering his skills as a
cattleman as his sweat equity, agreed to work out his half as
resident manager. Under O'Neill's tenure, the cattle herd was
upgraded and expanded, the land was improved, row crops were
introduced, and the Ranch became home to Orange County's biggest
wheat fields.
In 1907, just 25 years after the original partnership was
formed between his father and O'Neill, James L. Flood, son of the
"Silver King," made good on his late father's promise and conveyed
an undivided half interest to O'Neill, Sr. Just four months later,
declining health caused O'Neill to deed his interest to his son,
Jerome.
As hard-driving as his father, Jerome led the Ranch into a new
direction and, despite a severe drought and an unstable economy,
the Ranch flourished under his leadership. Agricultural operations
were greatly expanded, and the cowherd grew to 15,000 head. In
1923, with establishment of a corporation, the "Santa Margarita
Company," the sons of Flood and O'Neill consolidated their second
generation friendship. Sadly, three years later both sons died,
just two days apart. Jerome's beneficiaries included his sister,
Mary O'Neill Baumgartner, and her family, and Jerome's younger
brother, Richard Jr., his wife, Marguerite, and their two
children, Alice and Richard Jerome.
1940s - 1960s: In 1939,
Santa Margarita Company was dissolved. The Floods and Baumgartners
took the San Diego portion (Rancho Santa Margarita y las Flores)
and Richard O'Neill, Jr. retained the Orange County parcels
(Ranchos Mission Viejo and Trabuco).
Two years later, as the nation was preparing for war, the
course of the families and their landholdings was forever changed
when representatives from the U.S. Navy arrived at the Ranch and
announced that the government was taking possession of the Rancho
Santa Margarita y Las Flores to establish the Marine base, today
known as Camp Joseph H. Pendleton.
What remained of the historic Ranch now encompassed two Orange
County parcels, united under the name Rancho Mission Viejo, and
totaling 52,000 acres. Soon after the end of World War II, cattle
were branded with the O'Neill family's new "Rafter M" brand, which
endures today.
In 1943, upon the death of her husband, Richard, and with the
ranchlands held in trust, Marguerite O'Neill stepped forward to
lead the family. A fifth generation Californian, "Daisy," as she
was called, thwarted several attempts by the bank's trust officers
to liquidate her family's holdings.
With great determination and pride, she kept the land intact
and, as much as possible, in her family's control. To this day,
Marguerite O'Neill's admonition to "take care of the land and the
land will take care of you" continues to guide the family.
In June 1950, with the establishment of 278-acre O'Neill
Regional Park, the O'Neill family made the first of its many open
space dedications to the people of Orange County. With respect for
the ranch land and pride in its heritage, the O'Neill family has
since dedicated more than 9,000 acres of open space to the County
of Orange.
1960s - Today :
In 1964, in response to the demands of Orange County's
expanding population, the O'Neill family and its partners
established The Mission Viejo Company and embarked on its first
residential development, the 10,000-acre planned community of
Mission Viejo. Serving as an officer of Mission Viejo Company and
overseeing the family's ranching operations was Marguerite's
grandson, Anthony R. "Tony" Moiso, fresh out of Stanford
University and the U.S. Army. In 1972, when Mission Viejo Company
and its remaining undeveloped land in Mission Viejo were sold,
Tony accepted the responsibility of daily managing the remaining
40,000 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo.
Over the past four decades, it has been family leaders, Richard
J. O'Neill and Tony Moiso, who have shouldered the family's
responsibilities of land stewardship. Choosing not to break up the
ranch and not to sell all the property to the highest bidders,
O'Neill and Moiso have successfully retained family ownership of
the ranch by forming long-term ranch lease agreements for research
and development, natural resource exploration, commercial nursery
operations, and farming. In addition, they have helped the region
manage its growth through visionary community planning and
development which has underwritten the family's preservation of
nearly 20,000 acres of permanent open space. They have established
Southern California's first private land conservancy and one of
the nation's most successful wetlands restoration programs. They
also have funded the construction of roads in anticipation of need
as well as provided sites for new schools, libraries, parks, ball
fields, employment opportunities, fire stations, post offices,
retail plazas, places of worship, and child care centers.
Today, as a result of the family's commitment to its heritage,
the remaining 23,000 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo continue as a
place where ranching reigns, citrus groves are planted, open space
is preserved, and the descendants of Richard O'Neill, Sr. still
live and work.
Proud of their history yet mindful of the future, the members
of the O'Neill/Avery/Moiso family remain steadfastly grounded to
the same values which guided them 120 years ago: a commitment to
thoughtfully manage the land, a pledge to honor family, friends
and community, and a promise to "make your hand shake, your bond."
Parks: Over the past
five decades, the members of the O'Neill/Avery/Moiso family have
dedicated over 7,000 acres of ranch lands for Public Parks for the
communities of Orange County to enjoy.
O'Neill Regional Park
(949)
858-9365
In June 1950, O'Neill family matriarch Marguerite "Daisy"
O'Neill gathered with her son, Richard Jerome O'Neill, and
daughter, Alice O'Neill (Moiso) Avery, as well as Alice's two
sons, Tony and Jerome Moiso, to dedicate 278 acres of Rancho
Mission Viejo land to the County of Orange for the creation of
O'Neill Regional Park. Now totaling nearly 3,000 acres, the park
is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year who picnic under its
ancient sycamore and oak trees and hike along its more than
eighteen miles of trails. In addition, visitors may enjoy a riding
and hiking trail that stretches from the O'Neill Park to Doheny
State Beach. For more information about on-site facilities and
hours of operation, please call O'Neill Regional Park at
949-858-9365.
Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness
Park
949-728-0235
Nearly twenty years ago, the family expanded Ronald W. Caspers
Wilderness Park with a permanent contribution of 2,100 acres of
ranch land. Part of the initial open space mitigation for the
current City of Rancho Santa Margarita, this dedication added to
what is now a 7,600-acre protected wilderness area nestled between
the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western Santa Ana
Mountains. For more information about on-site facilities and hours
of operation, please call Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park at
949-728-0235.
Rancho Mission Viejo Park
(Proposed)
An important component of The Ranch Plan is the allocation of
more than 1,000 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo land for a new
regional public park. Stretching for five miles along San Juan
Creek, from Caspers Wilderness Park and the Cleveland National
Forest to San Juan Capistrano, this proposed park could feature an
expansive network of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian
pursuits; in addition to picnic facilities, sporting facilities,
and fields. Although the primary goal of the Park would be the
creation of open space connectivity with the County of Orange's
park and trail network, it also could serve as an important
habitat and wildlife corridor by preserving and enhancing the San
Juan Creek ecosystem. In addition, retained along the northerly
edge of the Park would be the existing Rancho Mission Viejo Cow
Camp, the center of the family's cattle operation.
Info provided by
"The Ranch"ejo
The Mission Viejo Lake
Lake
Mission Viejo is approximately 128 acres with an average depth of
40 feet and 90 feet at its' deepest and its' ecosystem is
monitored by 3 full time biologist and is deemed as being the
cleanest lake water around.
Yes, boating is allowed. 5 knot electrical boats are allowed
and other small types or sails. Wind surfing on the natural
currents is a favorite pastime. Party boats up to 16 feet
are dominate and fishing is encouraged. In fact, the lake is
stocked monthly with 2600 lbs. of trout, sunfish and bass.
The Lake also has a beach for swimming, sunbathing and for playing
volleyball. The lake sponsors concerts and a great July 4th
exhibition of fireworks, party and fun! For more
information, contact the Lake Mission Viejo Association at 949
770-1313. Residents of the Finnistera's can
purchase an available boat slip for a rental rate of $50.00 per
month. Contact Laurie Larsen for
lake
front
condominium
sales
information.
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