Bacon Ranch Historic District Cultural Landscape Report
Time stands still at Bacon Ranch—the layout, primitive structures, water conveyance system, fence lines, and well-worn paths provide a glimpse into the lives of early settlers more than 150 years ago. The little-changed site reflects characteristics of early Central California homesteads and provides a connection to the challenging homesteader lifestyle as well as early agricultural and ranching practices.
Bacon Ranch is part of the 350-acre Ben Bacon Ranch Historic District situated within Pinnacles National Park near the Visitor Center, campsite, and trailheads at the Park’s east entrance. Once a relatively obscure destination, visitation at the Park has doubled over the last few years, and the National Park Service (NPS) anticipates continued burgeoning visitation over the coming decade as well as development within and adjacent to the Historic District.
To plan for this growth, MIG developed the Bacon Ranch Historic District Cultural Landscape Report, outlining management preservation recommendations aimed at protecting the historic integrity of the District while enhancing visitor access and opportunities for interpretation. A compatible circulation concept proposes expanded accessible trails in the District along with gathering spots for groups and events. The document also identifies opportunities for new recreational and operational development with minimal impact on the historic landscape—taking into account the setting, views and vistas, and vegetation. The multidisciplinary assessment involved working alongside NPS staff in trails, facilities, and natural resources disciplines to ensure that recommendations advanced park-wide goals and responded to existing conditions and growth projections.
As visitation increases and development moves forward in and around the Historic District, the Cultural Landscape Report provides crucial direction for preserving defining elements and inviting visitors to understand and appreciate the lives of early settlers in this unique landscape.