- Source: Bumann Ranch
Bumann Ranch is a ranch in Encinitas, California. Previously owned by German colonists, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 6, 2020. Currently, the ranch contains twenty buildings on its 10 acres of land.
History
Herman Freidrich Bumann immigrated with his father to America from Germany in 1884, at 21. Following his uncle who has moved to Denver, Colorado twelve years before, they were one of the first German colonists in Southern California, being part of a group that bought Rancho Las Encinitas. When the duo arrived in California, they took shelter at what is now Stagecoach Community Park in Carlsbad.
In 1885, Herman purchased 5 acres (2.0 hectares) nearby Escondido Creek. During a financial crisis, Herman also purchased a homestead for $50 (equivalent to $1,696 in 2023). Continuing to acquire land, Herman owned 480 acres (190 hectares) by his death in 1926. He had 12 children with Emma Marie Junker. His seventh, Herman Charles, was the sole maintainer of the farm by the 1930s.
The ranch is currently owned by Herman Charles' nephew, Richard, and Richard's wife, Adelina "Twink" Bumann. Although the ranch was added to the NRHP in March 2020, the official plaque was not installed until July 2022.
Features
The Bumann family residence is a one-bedroom house, at 10 ft (3.0 m) by 12 ft (3.7 m). Today, the house is a museum of sorts, as Herman's seventh child, Herman Charles, had a preference for collecting photographs and composing music for his violin. A picture of H. Charles playing with Bing Crosby in a pickup group can be seen on a wall.