Leidesdorff Ranch, est. 1844, inducted into the California Agricultural Heritage Club

The California Farmer, California Farm Bureau and California Chamber of Commerce sponsored special recognition and induction of Leidesdorff Ranch into the prestigious California Agricultural Heritage Club, during our California State Fair 2007.

Leidesdorff Ranch could become an international cultural tourist destination in Sacramento County teaching authentic historic agricultural practices and showcasing modern environmental preservation of our crown jewel, the American River Parkway.

Leidesdorff Ranch is being resurrected from the ashes of authentic California History and challenging one of the final highlights to international racism. The name C.M. Goethe should no longer be embraced, especially on Leidesdorff Ranch.

The Golden Legacy of William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. is making explosive progress with the assistance of philanthropist Tova Leidesdorf and Emmy-award winning actress, Lynn Whitfield. Both New York City legends have pledged ongoing support to establish worldwide recognition for the contributions of William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.

In 1838, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. was encouraged to leave the thriving Port of New Orleans; his homeport after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1834. The Negro Seamen Acts proved difficult environmental conditions to maintain his lucrative maritime trade and commerce business. The final blow was a tragic ending to his love affair that challenged a great man to achieve unparalleled new heights.

In 1841, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. sailed into the sleepy Mexican village of Yerba Buena, Alta Mexican California and established a major cosmopolitan destination. The Leidesdorff name is well known in financial circles globally, yet few know that Leidesdorff Alley remains the Wall St. of the West coast, in the Financial District of San Francisco.

Beginning in 1844, Leidesdorff Ranch was developed into a major agribusiness enterprise and in 1846, upon arrival of the New York Volunteers - Stevenson Regiment; Alta California was under effective U.S. Military rule. In February 1848, upon the signing of the Peace Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending U.S./Mexico War, California statehood was destined for a “Golden Legacy” and the first African-American Diplomat in U.S. History was the wealthiest man in 1848 California by all accounts.

California Legislative bipartisan leadership by elder statesmen Dave Cox, Mervyn Dymally, and Darrell Steinberg sponsored legislation to establish the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Memorial Highway, 14 miles along the Highway 50 corridor. Today we urge ‘smart growth and development utilizing the best practices of national historic preservation.

We officially request the County Board of Supervisors to support and help guide regional, state, national and international support to restore Leidesdorff Ranch, established in 1844, while maintaining world class standards of preservation of the historic 35,000+ acre ranch.