Located at 455 Olivina Avenue in Livermore, a ranch dating back to the 19th century, farmhouses and outbuildings that have stood the test of time sit as living historic reminders of early Livermore agriculture and life. Buildings within the remaining ranch include barns, blacksmith shop, sheds, garden, and remaining fields of greenery. Currently owned by the City of Livermore, it is maintained and managed by the Livemrore Heritage Guild.

The historic site aims to connect Livermore residents to the region’s and city’s past, as well as provide the community with vibrant activities. The public can visit the ranch on the last Sunday of each month when they have open house event between 1 PM – 4 PM (excluding July and December). The open house features tours, displays of the farm equipment, showcasing animals including goats, horses, chickens, and ducks. These events welcome all ages to come and involve themselves in themed activities.

The ranch also supports Nonprofits and On-Site programs, serving as a hub for groups to operate in and actively engage with the community. Sunflower Hill Garden, despite being a acre big serves as a instructional site where people may learn horticulture skills, learning on how to grow, produce, and provide fresh organic vegetables or flowers, this event also carters to those intellectual and development disabilities. Horse riding lessons are also offered by the Del Arroyo 4-H Horsemanship Club, where youth members are given the ability to instruction and animal care experiences, keeping the ranch’s animal heritage alive. Finally Del Arroyo D-H Beekeeping Club maintains beehives on site, educating those involved about bees and producing local honey. The garden and ranch itself regularly hosts volunteer days where individuals of all ages can help with planting, harvesting, and improvements to the site.

The history of the ranch dates back to all the way to 1839, where nearly 48,000 acre Mexican land grant was awarded to members of the Bernal, Sunol, and Pico families, these grant are what Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol stand to this day. The Hagemann Ranch is the sole remaining land that is the original Rancho del Valle De San José where it was used as grazing lands by Mission San José.

Around 1870, Martin Mendenhall established the property as a working ranch, establishing growing cops, cattle and horse raising. As well as constructing farmhouse and outbuildings. In 1890 the property was sold to August Hagemann, beginning the family’s official association with the land. Throughout the 20th century, the ranch remain firmly in the family hands, with Herbert Hagemann and his descendents contributing the local community and agriculture.

By the early 200s, Hagemann Ranch had transitioned from a working farm to a historic site, where it was registered to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, officially named the Hagemann Ranch District, being recognized for its integrity of the archectiture and its standing as Livermore’s past.

Today, Hagemann Ranch continues to stand as more than a historic landmark, but rather a educational space where children and adults alike can be involved with its programs and be exposed to Livermore’s agricultural roots.

Hagemann Ranch Gallery

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