|
The families began to drift part and in 1941 the land was divided; the Floods got the south half of the old ranch, the Baumgartner's, a branch of the O'Neill family, got the north half of the old ranch and the O'Neill's got the Orange County property, which included Rancho Mission Viejo.
It's reported that in 1942, Major General Joseph Fegan arrived at the old ranch house and announced the government was taking possession of the property, for the duration of the war, to use as a military base. It became Camp Pendleton. After the war the Marines stayed on. The U. S. government paid the Baumgartner's and the Floods $4,100,000 for their portion of the land. The O'Neill's continued ranching.
Tony Moiso, Alice O'Neill Moiso Avery and Richard O'Neill, Tony's Mother and Uncle, and other family members are owners of Rancho Mission Viejo. Gil Aguirre, Ex-V.P., is in charge of daily operations; he has been at the ranch for 38 years. Buck Bean, I love that name, is Director of Corporate Relations; he has been at the ranch for 36 years. Together they hosted another great CAA trail ride.
We ate, rode, held meetings, ate, roped, team sorted and enjoyed some campfire entertainment by Baxter Black.
Trail ride HOST buckles were awarded, trail ride pins were handed out (Joe Beeler has attended thirty-five CAA trail rides) and the MAD DOG BAIZE REFRIGERATOR MAGNET AWARD was presented to Wayne Baize.
It is said that years ago California would place a cross on a hill above the ranch house. The cross indicated a Christian family lived there and travelers were welcome. We didn't see a cross, but all of the CAA trail riders are sure there's one someplace in the hills above Rancho Mission Viejo. |  |
 |
|
|
|
|
Mad Dog Baize
Refrigerator Magnet Award |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
CA CA Sisterhood: wives, family and friends of CA members. For enlargement and names click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
CA Members in attendance. For enlargement and names click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Trail Ride / 2003 Ride 
