Rancho Los Alamitos all spruced up

The library in the Bixby ranch house has all the original furniture.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

A barn is among several on the property, which underwent an $8.5-million renovation.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

A map painted on the floor of a multi-purpose room shows the scope of the original ranch, while murals of native and non-native plants, enlarged from watercolors by the late illustrator Dugald Stermer, cover the walls.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

The Bixby parade saddle, from 1940, is on display at the Rancho Center, a 13,000-square-foot education facility.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

A sitting area makes for a contemplative spot at the back of the ranch house.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

Reproductions of Mary Cassatt’s “Mother About to Wash Her Sleepy Child” and a Claude Monet water lilies painting hang in the music room.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

Glassware collected by Florence and Fred Bixby makes for a delicate display in the ranch house.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)

Pamela Seager, executive director of the Rancho Los Alamitos foundation, stands amid the garden where Florence Bixby planted specimens given to her by friends.  (Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times)