Pioneer Ranch Life in Orange: A Victorian Woman in Southern California

by Mary Teegarden Clark, Paul F. Clark (Editor)

This previously unpublished account of early California ranch life from 1875 to 1887 covers a pivotal era in Orange County history. Vassar-educated Mary Teegarden Clark captured the future Orange County during its transition from the untamed cattle rancho era to citrus empire. Mary writes engagingly about breaking ground for the citrus Yale Grove in the city of Orange, her home life with husband Albert B. Clark and workaday ranch chores with Chinese and Latino farmhands. Her firsthand accounts enlarge the historical record of citrus marketing, wilderness excursions and the escapades of Wild West pistoleros. Through deft editing, Paul F. Clark, Mary's great-grandson, provides the historical framework through which to view Mary's remarkably vivid experiences.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2013

Reviews

[Christine Kenney]

Read for context about the era our house was built in.

MTC might drive me nuts by insisting on calling the city of Orange "Richland," referring to her husband exclusively with 3rd person pronouns ("the father," "the would-be farmer"), all the Yale hubris, and the cliched allusions to classical lit.

I also found myself questioning what qualifies as pioneering. Lack of water security would indeed be rugged. Yet they seemed to have multiple staff for the duration and made frequent use of railroad service including an indefinitely long decampment back to Indiana.

But even so, they achieved an impressive amount in a 12 year stay... Far more than we have so far in 15.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting memoir of sorts of a woman who lived in Orange, CA and whose husband ran an orange grove and farm. The area saw eastern Americans moving to California in the 1870s and around that time. The author discusses early experiences taking horse and cart to what is now Irvine Regional Park in Irvine, CA. She describes eating picnic lunches under the live oaks—many of which are still there in this historic spot. After her husband died at age 40, the author returned to her original home of La Porte, IN.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative, thoughtful account of Southern California ranch life in the late 19th century. Mary Teagarden Clark was a strong woman, make no mistake about it. She talks of the homesickness she felt when first coming to Richland (aka Orange) and how she begged her husband to take her back home. He relents and packs up to return to Indiana, but Mary steels herself (at the last minute) to forgo comfort and family for the unwelcoming desert, knowing that her husband's health depends on a warm, dry climate. They stay and make a go at a citrus ranch. Mary tells of a camping trip to the local, bear infested mountains in the heat of summer and how the women and children spent most of their time in a creek bed to cool off. This was one "vacation" that seemed like a heck of a lot of work! There is also an incident described involving some pretty notorious bandits in the city of Orange. Mary narrates this interesting story with a bit of wit and humor as well, so it is never dry. Even with the introduction, notes and index, it is a bit short. I only wish she had been able to write more.

[Brian Rouley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author and this editing style have been inspiring, to say the least. Mary Teegarden Clark reminds me once again of the magic of the written word. Her prose is so beautifully descriptive, you can almost feel the heat, hear the birds, see the oranges in their crates. Some of the people and the scenes she depicts are incredibly wonderful, as in the example of her father and his playtime with his grandchildren.

There's so much more to say, including commentary on the more than 50 pages of appendices and notes the editor provides to illustrate the rich history behind the memoir.

If this text were nothing more than a fine example of how excellen writing may enrich a reader's life, it would be enough motivation to recommend it to any friend, reader, writer, relative, or anyone you know who loves a good book.