Shortly after the Gold Rush, significant portions of the Point Reyes Peninsula were turned into dairy ranches, which exported the Point Reyes brand of butter and cheese to San Francisco. Tenant ranches were rented by Irish, Swedish, Swiss, and Azorian families. Coast Miwok families found work on the ranches, as did Chinese, Canadian, Filipino, Mexican, and German immigrants. By 1867, Marin County produced the largest yield of butter in California. Click and drag the circle at the center of the photos left and right to compare the then and now images. Horse-drawn Wagons approach Schooner Landing, ca. 1900 ![]() ![]()
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White Gulch, Pierce Point Ranch, 1902 ![]() ![]()
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Pierce Point Ranch School, 1916 ![]() ![]()
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Bear Valley Ranch, ca. 1940 ![]() ![]()
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D Ranch, ca. 1940 ![]() ![]()
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Last updated: January 10, 2022