History

In 1865, James and Mary Bond were headed to California. They settled on this land after their young son was killed under the wheels of their wagon. Their home still stands within the park.

In 1913, Paul and Anna Lee White bought a portion of the land and began acquiring additional properties for a cattle ranch that they operated on it until 1969. Paul died in 1969.

In 1974 Anna entered into a purchase and gift agreement to transfer ownership to Jefferson County Open Space. In 2002, the adjacent Weidner property, consisting of 266 fee acres and 619 acres under a conservation easement, were added to White Ranch. This created a connection from White Ranch to the Golden Gate State Park.