Finding aid for Rancheros Visitadores collection, 1935-1994. MVC078
Finding aid prepared by Krystell Jimenez, 2022.
This finding aid was made possible in part through funding from the County of Ventura and the Heritage Fund at the Ventura
County Community Foundation.
Museum of Ventura County
March 2022
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Ventura County
Title: Rancheros Visitadores collection
Creator:
Reardon, James Albert, 1914-2007
Creator:
Rancheros Visitadores
Identifier/Call Number: MVC078
Physical Description:
2.57 Cubic Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1935-1994
Abstract: Los Rancheros Visitadores, or the Visiting Ranchers, is a Santa Barbara-based social club; however, many of its members are
also from Ventura County. The club is most known for its annual 60-mile trek through the Santa Ynez Valley. James Albert Reardon,
born on February 7, 1914, in Ventura County, was a member of Rancheros Visitadores. The collection consists mostly of materials
collected by Reardon during his involvement with the club. Some items do not belong to Reardon but are still records of the
club's activities and members. Materials include membership and camp rosters from the early 1970s through 1994, photographs,
and ephemera.
Physical Location: Stored off-site and advance notice required for timely retrieval. Please contact the Research Library reference desk prior
to your visit.
Language of Material:
English
.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Open for research. All requests to access materials must be made in advance by contacting the
Research Library staff via email: library@venturamuseum.org.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, have
not been determined. Contact the Research Library for further information: library@venturamuseum.org.
[Identification of item], Rancheros Visitadores collection, (Collection MVC078), Museum of Ventura County, Research Library,
Ventura, California.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Betty Powell for James A. Reardon; gift; 1996.
Processed by Krystell Jimenez, 2022.
Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities
for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended
in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org
Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.
James Albert Reardon was born on February 7, 1914, in Ventura County. He owned and operated the James A. Reardon Mortuary
in Oxnard from 1937 until 1990. An active member of the community, Reardon was associated with the Rancheros Visitadores,
among other clubs. He died on April 14, 2007, at the age of 93.
Los Rancheros Visitadores, or the Visiting Ranchers, is a Santa Barbara-based social and equestrian club; however, many of
its members are from Ventura County and elsewhere throughout the United States. Membership can only be obtained through invitation,
and the club is most known for its annual 60-mile trek on horseback through the Santa Ynez Valley. They have several established
camping locations, and their annual meeting involves receiving a blessing at the Santa Ynez Mission. The group was founded
in 1930 by banker and United Airlines co-founder Jack Mitchell and several of his friends. Members and guests have included
Edward Borein, Thomas M. Storke, Clark Gable, and Walt Disney.
This collection consists of materials collected by James A. Reardon during his involvement with the Rancheros Visitadores.
Some of the items in the collection do not belong to Reardon but are still records of the club's activities and members. Materials
are mostly membership and camp rosters from the early 1970s through 1994, as well as photographs and ephemera.
This collection has no series and box-level description.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fraternal Organizations -- California -- Ventura County
Riding clubs -- California -- Ventura County
Horsemen -- California -- Ventura County
Rancheros Visitadores -- Records and correspondence
Rancheros Visitadores -- Photographs
Box 1
Rosters and papers 1935-1994
This box contains a poster of the "Trail Rider Commandments"; several rosters for club members or trek participants; a copy
of
El Diario de Los Rancheros Visitadores (1935); two copies of
Los Rancheros Visitadores 1930-1980; a copy of
Rancheros Visitadores Twenty Fifth Anniversary 1930-1955 compiled by Neil C. Wilson; photocopies of a trail map and some of Reardon's personal effects; pamphlets and ephemera related
to Rancheros Visitadores events; and a letter of invitation for Reardon.
There are 14 camp rosters for 1973, 1975, 1980, 1983-1989, and 1991-1994. There are 10 Campo Adolfo membership rosters for
1980-1984, 1986, 1990, and 1992-1994. There are 20 membership rosters for 1973-1989 and 1991-1994. The rosters largely belong
to James A. Reardon. Two of the rosters belong to George C. Rasmussen and Elmer M. Awl.
Box 2
Scrapbooks and photographs circa 1940s
This box contains 2 scrapbooks of black and white photographs of riders, camps, and Rancheros Visitadores activities. There
are no names and the scrapbooks are undated. The photographer for some of the images was Lee Walsh. Additional material includes
a framed photograph of a man on a horse fording a creek. The frame is signed "To my fellow Ranchero and Gringo campmate Charlie
Huntor from his friend [illegible name]." It is dated January 15, 1941.