Stanley Ranch Museum Day Trip Garden Grove Historic Village

The Ranch house at the Stanley Ranch Museum was constructed in 1891 by Edward G. Ware. Mr. Ware co-developed the Eureka walnut and is credited with introducing the Valencia orange tree to Orange County.

This house was home to Edward, his wife Mary, and daughter Lillian who married Arthur C. Stanley 1905 lived with her family in the house after the death of her parents. The two-story farmhouse was surrounded by an orange grove that had its last crop picked in 1971.

Agnes Stanley donated the last two acres of her ranch to the Garden Grove Historical Society in 1970. Since then, the Garden Grove Historical Society has saved old historic buildings from destruction and moved them to the ranch.

Buildings at Stanley Ranch include a replica of the first Garden Grove fire station, the Stanley ranch house, a water tank, a general store, several Queen Ann-style cottages, a barbershop, and a garage used by Walt Disney. Sixteen historic buildings have been saved and moved to the Stanley Ranch Museum, that now forms a historic village.

First Garden Grove Fire Station

The first Garden Grove fire station stood at 10811 Garden Grove Boulevard, where Home Depot is now. As the City’s population grew, new fire stations were added. The City’s first fire engine is now stored in a replica of the original fire station at Stanley Ranch.

Stanley Ranch Tank House

Open well-supplied water for Stanley Ranch and a windmill were used to pump the water supply. The tank on top of the tank house, built circa 1910, stored the water supply for the home and barn. Garden Grove’s first Water Department building was added to the Pump House and is used as a “General Store,” housing memorabilia and offering unique items for sale.

Walt Disney’s First Los Angeles Studio

While not officially recognized as Walt’s studio by Disneyland, this tiny garage-sized building houses some Disney artifacts, antique cameras, and a projector from the Garden Grove Gem Theater.

Early Garden Grove Post Office

This building was built in the 1880s and was used as a general store and post office for Garden Grove. It was used as a beauty shop in its later years until it was moved to the Stanley Ranch Museum in 1977.

Stanley Ranch Museum Barber Shop

This small building housed several Garden Grove businesses over the years, including a barbershop and shoe-repair shop. Inside you will find old equipment, including an antique barber chair and shoe repair tools.

Stanley Ranch Museum is a look into the past of Garden Grove. Even though homes now surround the ranch, it doesn’t take too much imagination to picture Garden Grove 100 years ago. Walk around the farm and its historic 1880s buildings for about one hour.

Stanley Ranch Museum is open to the public for tours on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month-1:30 P.M. The ranch host weddings in the rose garden behind the main house. Stanley Ranch is located at Stanley Ranch Museum, 12174 Euclid Street, Garden Grove. Website. While in town and you have kids, you might want to check out Atlantis Play Center, an old-school playground.

Historical Places to Visit in Southern California

Walt Disney Museum San Francisco

Grover Hot Springs State Park