One discovery really does lead to the next. We discovered Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum while seeking an opportunity to meet a woman named Francine Rippy. So, I am on a quest to master the art of preserved foods and Francine is the queen bee of the Los Angeles County Fair Preserved Foods competition (in literally every category). She started entering the LA Fair in 1965 and last year she entered 73 different creations.
After some light googling by my Dad, we learned that Francine was the Executive Director of the Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum, a five acre hidden cove of the past, in Santa Fe Springs, CA (only 15 miles or so from Downtown).
Francine’s grandparents started the Ranch in 1905 and over the years it housed their family orchards, dairy farm, and cattle. Now, remains an almost frozen in time reminder of the time of oil and true hard work–oh, and chickens roaming the property past goats, dogs, and cats.
Everything on the ranch while so untouched, was at the same time up-kept. Imagine a time when your gas pump looked like the one below–total sale: $8.86.
Francine sat and told us all about her family, the ranch, and her canning methods. She donates her jams, conserves, and other preserved foods to her ranch that can be purchased, benefiting the ranch. She noted very firmly that if she profits off of her products, then she can’t enter the fair–good enough reason for me! We happily donated by taking away dilly beans, boysenberry jam, and boysenberry jelly.
What a perfect day.
11901 Florence Avenue
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 11:00 – 4:00 PM