Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood in Long Beach,
Calif., are 4.7 acres of Spanish, Mexican and American history,
where families helped transform southern California from its
ranching beginnings to a modern, urban society. Rancho Los
Cerritos includes an 1844 adobe building, formal gardens and
landscaped grounds. It is a national, state and local landmark,
owned and operated by the city as a public museum and historic
site since 1955. As the country’s economic crisis works its way
to the regional and local municipal forefront, the Rancho has
found itself on the list for possible budget cuts. It begs the
question, “Can one put a price on historic culture?” While the
answer seems obvious, the reality from a fiscal viewpoint is
that this rare community treasure does not sustain itself
financially. From The Start The original Rancho site was 27,000
acres of pastures for cattle and sheep that, starting in the
late 19th century, gave way to development of the cities of Long
Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Be