Rancho May Go on Monuments List

Despite its earthquake-damaged buildings, Rancho Camulos near Piru was recently designated a Ventura County historical landmark.

Now, county supervisors have nominated the 142-year-old ranch to be placed on a philanthropy organization’s list of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world.

If the ranch is picked for the World Monuments Fund list, it could become eligible to receive grant money that will help restore the earthquake-damaged ranch, officials said.

World Monuments is a 30-year-old, nonprofit organization whose main purpose is to help preserve architecturally significant structures around the globe.

Once the New York-based organization selects a site for its endangered list, it automatically becomes eligible to receive grant money provided by program sponsor American Express, said Mary Ann Krause, a county official who has worked on the nomination proposal.

Selected sites remain on the endangered list for five years, Krause said. During that time, they are considered for monetary awards that usually range from $1,000 to $50,000, she said.

Rancho Camulos, whose main adobe dates back to 1853, includes 15 buildings spread out over 1,800 acres, officials said. The structures include a winery constructed in 1867, a house built in 1887 and a schoolhouse that dates to 1947. The ranch suffered major damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

World Monuments is expected to choose candidates for its list in the spring.