>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] Huell: WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND IF THERE WAS EVER AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING BEING RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD, RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE, A WONDERFUL, HISTORIC, BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW EXISTED, THIS IS IT.

THIS IS WHAT THIS ADVENTURE IS ALL ABOUT--HIDDEN TREASURES RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE, RIGHT IN YOUR BACK YARD, THAT YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT.

AND THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

LOOK AT THIS PLACE.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING THE WHOLE DAY.

DIANE, YOU HEARD WHAT I SAID.

THIS IS A HIDDEN TREASURE, ISN'T IT?

>> YES, IT IS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

Huell: NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS PLACE.

YOU SENT ME AN INVITATION AND SAID, "YOU GOT TO COME OUT AND VISIT US AND SEE THIS PLACE."

>> YES, I DID, AND I THINK IT'S A TREASURE THAT YOU DIDN'T--YOU REALLY HAD TO COME AND SEE.

Huell: WELL, WHY DON'T PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT?

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

WE'RE TUCKED AWAY HERE IN THIS LITTLE PART OF L.A. AND CALABASAS, AND EVERYONE DRIVES RIGHT ON BY.

Huell: YEAH.

NOW, TECHNICALLY-- LET'S SET THE STAGE--WE'RE TECHNICALLY IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, BUT WE ARE SURROUNDED BY THE CITY OF CALABASAS.

THE 101 FREEWAY IS RIGHT OUT HERE.

YOU CAN HEAR THE TRAFFIC.

WE'RE ALMOST TO VENTURA COUNTY.

THE FAMOUS SAGEBRUSH CANTINA IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR, AND I'VE BEEN THERE LOTS OF TIME.

NEVER KNEW THIS EXISTED.

>> YEAH.

WE HEAR THAT ALL THE TIME.

THEY EVEN ACTUALLY COME AND PARK IN THE PARKING LOT AND WONDER WHAT THIS PLACE IS.

Huell: TO GO TO THE CANTINA.

>> THEY GO TO THE CANTINA.

[BOTH LAUGH] Huell: OK. WE'RE HERE NOW.

WE'VE DONE ALL THE--YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOTTEN UP TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO TELL EVERYBODY WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, THIS IS THE LEONIS ADOBE MUSEUM.

IT WAS OWNED BY MIGUEL LEONIS.

AND IT WAS BUILT, ORIGINALLY, IN ABOUT 1844.

IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BRICK ADOBE THAT MIGUEL LEONIS TOOK OVER IN THE 1870s.

AND HE REFURBISHED IT INTO THE MONTEREY-STYLE MUSEUM THAT YOU SEE TODAY.

Huell: SO WE'VE GOT THIS WONDERFUL ADOBE THAT'S WELL OVER 150 YEARS OLD.

AT THE TIME IT WAS BUILT, IT WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, AND IT WAS PART OF A HUGE AMOUNT OF LAND THAT HE HAD, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

HE HAD MOST OF THE LAND THIS END OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ALL THE WAY TO THE LAS VIRGENES AREA.

SO--YOU CONSIDER THE PARAMOUNT RANCH AREA ALL THE WAY TO WESTLAKE.

Huell: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF ACRES.

HOW MANY ACRES RIGHT HERE TODAY HAVE BEEN PRESERVED?

>> 5 1/2.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

BUT BOY, IT IS PACKED FULL OF STUFF, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE--I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START.

I'M IN YOUR HANDS.

THIS IS YOUR INVITATION WE'VE ACCEPTED.

LET'S JUST GET A SHOT OF THE ADOBE RIGHT THERE.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE SPENDING THE DAY--THE LEONIS ADOBE, A TRUE HIDDEN, BUT ABOUT TO BE TOTALLY DISCOVERED-- [LAUGHS] Huell: PLACE HERE IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

OK. WE GOT LOTS OF SCHOOL KIDS HERE TODAY, AND YOU PUT THEM TO WORK RIGHT AWAY.

WHAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE TURNING MASA, GROUND-UP CORN, INTO TORTILLAS.

WE'RE ALSO CHURNING--WHAT ARE WE CHURNING INTO BUTTER?

>> UM, CREAM.

>> CREAM.

Huell: CREAM!

>> TURNS INTO BUTTER.

THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: NOW, WERE THERE NATIVE AMERICANS ON THIS LAND?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

MIGUEL LEONIS' WIFE, ESPIRITU, WAS A CHUMASH NATIVE AMERICAN.

Huell: SO HE MARRIED A CHUMASH INDIAN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN FACT, A LOT OF HIS LAND WAS ORIGINALLY IN HER FATHER'S HOLDINGS.

Huell: OK.

SO WE'RE GRINDING THE... >> WE'RE GRINDING THE CORN, TURNING IT INTO MASA TO MAKE TORTILLAS.

Huell: OK.

TORTILLAS--THAT'S THE WORD OF THE DAY, BECAUSE RIGHT OVER HERE, WHAT HAVE WE GOT GOING ON OVER HERE?

>> WE JUST FINISHED MAKING TORTILLAS.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

TURN AROUND, EVERYBODY.

LET'S SEE YOUR TORTILLAS.

NOW, ARE YOU GOING TO EAT THAT TORTILLA?

>> NO.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HEAT IT UP.

Huell: YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COOK IT, HEAT IT UP.

>> AND THEN, PROBABLY, WE'LL PROBABLY WANT TO PUT BUTTER FROM OVER THERE.

Huell: YEAH.

I THINK SO.

>> AND WHAT ELSE?

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU PUT ON IT?

THEY HAD TO GROW ALL THEIR FOOD HERE, SO A BIG GARDEN LIKE THIS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO THE GARDEN, AND MAYBE THERE'S A PEPPER.

>> YAY, PEPPERS!

>> MAYBE THERE'S AN ONION.

HOW ABOUT A TOMATO?

Huell: WOW.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MAKE?

All: SALSA.

Huell: BOY, THIS IS GOING TO BE A GOOD TORTILLA!

ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, TURN AROUND, AND LET'S SEE YOUR TORTILLAS AGAIN.

THIS IS PART OF THE TOUR.

THEY'RE MAKING HISTORIC TORTILLAS, JUST LIKE THEY WOULD HAVE IN THE OLD DAYS.

>> WE HAD TO POUND THIS TO MAKE IT THINNER.

IF YOU NEED TO MAKE IT THINNER, YOU CAN POUND IT AGAIN.

THEN YOU BRING IT OVER HERE.

THIS PART OF THE ANVIL IS CALLED THE HORN.

WE'RE GOING TO BEND IT THIS WAY.

Huell: SO YOU'RE MAKING A HORSESHOE.

>> I SURE I AM.

I'M MAKING-- Huell: YOU'RE THE BLACKSMITH.

>> I'M THE BLACKSMITH.

EVERY RANCH HAD A BLACKSMITH.

[CHEERING] Huell: HE JUST ROPED THE COW.

YOU JUST ROPED THE COW.

>> WE ROPED THE COW.

WELL, HERE, WE GOT TO ROPE THESE COWS 'CAUSE SOMETIMES WE GOT TO MILK THEM.

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED SOME KIND OF MEDICAL ATTENTION.

SO BASICALLY, IT'S GOING TO TAKE 2 GUYS TO ROPE THE COW.

SO THE LITTLE KIDS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ROPING THE SHEEP, AND THEY'RE GOING TO PROBABLY BE ROPING A HORSE NOW AND THEN, SO.

Huell: SO YOU'RE TEACHING THEM HOW TO DO IT.

>> WE'RE TEACHING THESE GUYS HOW TO DO IT.

Huell: WHO WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO ROPE?

COME ON.

LET'S GET--CAN WE GET ONE OVER HERE?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GET THEM ALL OVER HERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THIS YOUNG MAN RIGHT HERE.

Huell: UH-OH.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NICE, BIG HOOP.

WE'RE GOING TO HOLD IT IN OUR RIGHT HAND.

WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THIS IN OUR LEFT.

NOW, WE'RE GOING TO WALK UP BEHIND THESE GUYS REAL SLOW.

GOING TO HOLD THE ARM OUT LIKE THIS.

NOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SHAKE THE ROPE BACK AND FORTH, 'CAUSE THAT WILL SCARE THE ANIMAL.

NOW, HE'LL START WALKING AWAY FROM YOU.

YOU'RE GOING TO KIND OF FOLLOW HIM.

WHEN YOU'RE READY TO THROW IT, IT'S GOING TO BE A SIDEARM THROW, AND WHEN YOUR HAND'S EVEN WITH HIS HEAD, JUST LET GO.

I GUARANTEE YOU'RE GOING TO GET HIM.

OK. WE STAND BACK AND LET HIM DO HIS JOB.

NICE THROW.

NICE THROW.

Huell: OH!

>> NICE THROW.

YOU ALMOST GOT HIM.

Huell: THIS IS SOMETHING YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO TODAY.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.

AND IF THESE KIDS WERE GROWING UP ON A RANCH TODAY, THEY'D BE DOING THIS.

Huell: YEAH, FROM THE TIME THEY WERE LITTLE KIDS.

>> LITTLE GUYS.

AT THIS AGE, THEY WOULD BE EXCELLENT ROPERS, AND THEY'D BE EXCELLENT RIDERS, AND THIS WOULD BE THEIR JOB, HELPING THEIR PARENTS RUN THIS RANCH.

[CHEERING] Huell: YAY!

>> GOOD JOB!

Huell: LOTS OF ANIMALS HERE.

HERE ARE THE CHICKENS.

YOU GOT TO GET ME EXCITED ABOUT THE CHICKENS.

BUT I GUESS A LOT OF THE KIDS HAVEN'T SEEN CHICKENS.

AND WAIT A MINUTE.

THOSE AREN'T CHICKENS.

THEY'RE TURKEYS.

>> WE HAVE TURKEYS HERE.

AND THERE'S A STORY ABOUT THE TURKEYS.

THE WOMEN IN CALABASAS, DURING THE YEARS OF THE DROUGHT WHEN ALL THE CATTLE AND SHEEP DIED, WOULD END UP GETTING THE TURKEYS AND TAKING THEM DOWN TO LOS ANGELES AND SELLING THEM, AND THAT'S HOW THEY MADE MONEY.

Huell: REALLY?

SO THERE'S A TURKEY TIE-IN BETWEEN CALABASAS... >> AND LOS ANGELES.

Huell: AND WOULD THEY HAVE HAD, WHEN THIS WAS AN OPERATING--WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS, A RANCH?

A FARM?

>> IT WAS A RANCHO, AN OLD RANCHO.

Huell: SO WHEN IT WAS A RANCHO, IT HAD ALL THIS GOING ON.

>> THEY HAD TO SUPPORT ABOUT 100 PEOPLE HERE.

THEY HAD ABOUT 100 DIFFERENT WORKERS.

SO WE HAVE AN OVEN OVER HERE WHERE THERE WERE 2 FRENCH BAKERS THAT WERE EMPLOYED TO DO NOTHING BUT BAKE BREAD, AND THEN, THEY NEEDED THE EGGS AND COOKED BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING FOR EVERYONE.

SO THEY NEEDED CHICKENS.

Huell: THERE'S A REASON WHY-- [ROOSTER CROWS] Huell: OH, THERE HE GOES!

>> YEAH.

[LAUGHS] Huell: THE ROOSTER JUST MADE A STATEMENT.

[CROWS] Huell: NOW WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO SOME SERIOUS ANIMAL FEEDING GOING ON.

WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER HERE?

>> OH, WE'RE JUST GIVING THESE KIDS ALL KINDS OF FOOD SO THEY CAN TAKE IT OVER AND FEED THESE ANIMALS.

Huell: FEED THE ANIMALS.

CAN I FEED THEM?

>> TAKE A LITTLE BIT.

Huell: OH, I'M SORRY.

[LAUGHS] Huell: TAKING TOO MUCH.

>> WELL, IT GOES ON THE GROUND.

Huell: HERE WE GO.

COME ON OVER HERE.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

WE GOT--WELL, LOOK.

THIS IS--NOW, ARE THESE HISTORIC TO THE TIME?

>> YES, THEY ARE.

THESE ARE THE GOATS THEY WOULD HAVE HAD.

THEY USED THEM FOR THE MILK, MILK AND CHEESE.

AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOATS.

Huell: OH, LOOK AT THIS ONE.

>> THIS IS AN ANGORA, AND-- Huell: WOULD THEY HAVE HAD ANGORA GOATS?

>> THEY WOULD HAVE HAD ANGORAS TO MAKE THE WOOL FOR THE DIFFERENT SWEATERS.

Huell: AND LOOK AT THIS!

>> OUR LONGHORN COW.

THIS IS FRED ASTAIRE.

Huell: SO, WOULD THEY HAVE HAD CATTLE LIKE THIS OUT HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVERYONE IN LOS ANGELES, AT THAT TIME, THAT'S THE KIND OF STEERS THAT THEY HAD.

THEY WERE VERY HARDY AND VERY WELL-ADAPTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Huell: WOW.

NOW, I BET MOST OF THE KIDS--I'M NOT SURE I'VE EVER SEEN A LONGHORN LIKE THAT BEFORE.

THIS IS NEW WHEN KIDS COME HERE TO SEE THIS.

>> IT'S VERY EXCITING.

MOST OF THEM HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE.

Huell: HOW MANY KIDS COME THROUGH HERE EVERY YEAR?

>> 12,000.

Huell: SO THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF KIDS, TO GO BACK IN TIME AND SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE EARLY DAYS--I MEAN, THE VERY EARLY DAYS, ALMOST PRE-GOLD RUSH DAYS, IN A LOT OF INSTANCES.

>> YES.

AND MOST OF THE ANIMALS THAT YOU SEE HERE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE GOLD RUSH AND PRE-GOLD RUSH TIME.

THE SHEEP ARE MERINO SHEEP, AND THEY WERE VERY--MERINO WOOL IS ONE OF THE FINEST WOOLS THAT YOU CAN GET, SO.

Huell: AND THEY WERE ALL RIGHT HERE.

>> THEY WERE ALL OVER THE HILLSIDES HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

Huell: WELL, I LIKE THE SHEEP, BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU, THAT LONGHORN MAKES A STATEMENT RIGHT THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

I RECOGNIZE THE WINDMILL.

THAT'S HISTORIC, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE.

>> YES, 'CAUSE-- Huell: THEY HAD TO GET THE WATER OUT OF THE GROUND.

>> RIGHT, THEY DID.

Huell: I THOUGHT THIS--EXCUSE ME FOR SAYING IT, BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE OUTHOUSE.

>> NO.

IT'S ACTUALLY THE BATH HOUSE, OR THE WASH HOUSE.

Huell: THE BATH HOUSE?

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BATH HOUSE BEFORE.

WHAT WAS THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> THEY WOULD BRING HOT WATER THAT THEY'D HEAT ON THE STOVE AND BRING IT IN HERE AND TAKE A BATH IN A LITTLE TIN BATH.

Huell: SO THEY LITERALLY HAD A SEPARATE HOUSE JUST TO TAKE A BATH IN.

>> YES, THEY DID.

Huell: WHAT IS GOING ON OVER HERE?

THIS LOOKS LIKE BARBED WIRE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SHOWING THE STUDENTS AROUND HERE THAT THE BARBED WIRE IS USED TO KEEP OUR CATTLE IN AS WELL AS WILD ANIMALS OUT.

WE'RE TRYING TO SHOW HERE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WIRE THAT CAN BE USED AROUND THE LAND.

Huell: SO THE BARBED WIRE KEPT YOUR CATTLE IN AND WILD ANIMALS OUT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

Huell: SEE, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT BARBED WIRE TODAY, DO THEY?

>> SURPRISE!

[LAUGHS] Huell: AND I BET YOU THERE'S ANOTHER SURPRISE GOING ON RIGHT DOWN HERE.

WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE?

>> WE ARE MAKING DOLLS.

ESPIRITU LOVED TO HAVE THE CHILDREN OUT ON A SATURDAY AND MAKE A CRAFT.

SO OUT OF WOOL, THEY WOULD MAKE DOLLS.

Huell: SO THEY'RE MAKING DOLLS.

>> THEY ARE MAKING DOLLS, YES, AND THEY'RE-- Huell: WOULD THIS HAVE GONE ON HERE AT THE ADOBE?

>> EXACTLY, IT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE.

THEY LOVED TO HAVE THE CHILDREN ON SATURDAYS MAKE-- Huell: FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA COME IN?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND HERE'S THE WOOL THAT THEY WOULD HAVE USED.

Huell: FROM THE SHEEP!

>> FROM THE SHEEP.

Huell: SEE, THIS IS A LOST ART, TOO, ISN'T IT?

>> I THINK SO.

Huell: KIDS DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A DOLL.

>> SOME OF THEM DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO MAKE A KNOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE VELCRO ALL THE TIME, OR TIE A BOW.

Huell: DIDN'T HAVE VELCRO BACK THEN.

>> NO, THEY DIDN'T.

Huell: FROM BARBED WIRE, YOU'VE ALSO GOT SPANISH BRANDS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THIS PART OF CALIFORNIA.

>> YEAH.

WHAT WE DID, WE BORROWED THE IDEAS OF THE BRANDS.

THE SPANISH EXPLORERS CAME IN, AND THEY SHOWED US ABOUT THE BRANDING-- FIRST FROM MEXICO, AND THEN, IT MOVED UP TO THE STATES.

THE SPANISH BRANDS WERE REALLY FANCY, REALLY INTERESTING.

Huell: WELL, NOW, THIS IS A-- WHAT, AN AMERICAN OR A SPANISH?

>> THAT'S AN AMERICAN "M." VERY SIMPLE, VERY PLAIN.

WHEN YOU PUT IT ON THE SIDE OF THE CALF, THERE'S NO QUESTION AS TO WHO IT IS.

MAKES IT VERY SIMPLE.

Huell: SO THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BRAND FROM THIS PLACE, THIS LAND.

>> THIS IS THE RANCH THAT YOU WOULD HAVE THE "M" FOR, YES.

Huell: WOW.

YOU EVER SEEN A BRANDING IRON BEFORE?

>> NOPE.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

IT'S YOURS TO HOLD.

YOU'RE HOLDING THE REAL THING RIGHT THERE.

>> THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.

Huell: THAT'S ANOTHER LOST-- WELL, I GUESS THEY STILL BRAND CATTLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT JUST NOT RIGHT HERE IN CALABASAS.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW.

THEY WOULD TAG THEM NOW, AS OPPOSED TO BRANDING THEM, ANYWAYS.

AND WE WOULD SHOW THE COMPARISON.

WE HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH.

OUR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, THE AUTOMOBILE, WHAT DO WE HAVE INSTEAD OF A BRAND?

HEY, KID, WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> UM... >> WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON THE CAR?

>> UM, LICENSE PLATES?

>> LICENSE PLATES.

SAME THING AS THE BRAND.

TRY TO TIE IT ALL TOGETHER.

THINGS HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH--JUST A LITTLE BIT IN HOW WE DO IT.

Huell: THEY'RE PUMPING WATER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: AND THIS IS THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: THEY WOULD HAVE PUMPED.

>> AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CHILDREN'S JOB.

IT WAS THE CHILDREN'S JOB TO DO THINGS LIKE GET THE WATER AND TAKE IT OVER FOR THE COOKING AND THE CLEANING, AND EVEN FOR THEIR BATHS IN THE BATH HOUSE.

ALL THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE KIDS' JOBS WHILE THE MOMS AND DADS WERE DOING THE HEAVY WORK.

Huell: THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THEIR DAILY CHORES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALL THE KIDS HAD CHORES ON THE RANCH.

IT TOOK A WHOLE FAMILY.

Huell: BOY, LOOK AT HIM PUMPING!

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO PUT HIM TO WORK.

[LAUGHS] >> GOOD JOB, BOYS AND GIRLS.

GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS THE SAME GROUP THAT WAS GRINDING THE--SO THEY JUST GO FROM POINT TO POINT.

YOU PUT THEM TO WORK ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> WHICH IS HOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RANCH.

THEY WOULD HAVE STAYED ACTIVE ALL DAY LONG.

MAYBE A BREAK FOR SCHOOL.

Huell: A BREAK FOR SCHOOL IN BETWEEN-- >> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: THE CHORES.

>> GOOD JOB, BOYS AND GIRLS.

GOOD JOB.

KEEP ON PUMPING, NOW.

WE GOT TO HAVE A LOT OF WATER.

Huell: NOW, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE WINDMILL AND THE WASH HOUSE.

THIS IS THE--WHAT?

WATER TANK?

>> TANK HOUSE.

Huell: TANK HOUSE.

>> TANK HOUSE, AND A BUNK HOUSE UP ABOVE WHERE SOME OF THE RANCH HANDS WOULD HAVE WORKED AND STAYED.

Huell: SO THAT'S THE WATER TANK.

>> EXACTLY.

UP FROM THE WELL, IT WOULD HAVE GONE UP HERE AND PUMPED IT UP INTO THE WATER TANK FOR STORAGE.

Huell: BUT AT THE LEONIS ADOBE, THERE WAS MORE GOING ON INSIDE THE TANK HOUSE THAN JUST WATER.

THE HINT TO WHAT'S INSIDE THE TANK HOUSE--IF YOU LOOK OUT FRONT OF THE ADOBE, THERE'S A HISTORIC VINEYARD GROWING OUT FRONT BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GROWING GRAPES BACK IN THE DAY, WOULDN'T THEY, DIANE?

>> YES.

ALMOST ALL THE RANCHOS HAD A BIG VINEYARD, AND IT SUPPLIED WINE FOR EVERYONE.

Huell: WINE!

AND HERE'S WHAT'S INSIDE THE TANK HOUSE.

THEY WERE MAKING WINE IN HERE.

>> THIS IS A CASK THAT CAME FROM THE SAN FERNANDO MISSION.

SO WHEN THE MISSIONS WERE BEING REDUCED, THEY BOUGHT THIS AND BROUGHT IT OVER HERE.

Huell: SO THIS IS A HISTORIC WINE VAT FROM THE SAN FERNANDO MISSION.

>> YES.

Huell: SO WE GOT A BIG WATER TANK RIGHT ABOVE US.

>> YES.

Huell: AND A BIG WINE VAT DOWN ON THE LOWER LEVEL.

>> I THINK THEY DRANK MORE WINE THAN WATER.

[LAUGHS] Huell: OK. WE'VE TOURED OUTSIDE THE ADOBE.

NOW WE'RE COMING INSIDE THE ADOBE.

I'VE HOOKED UP WITH THE LADY OF THE HOUSE, WHO'S ALSO--YOU'RE THE DOCENT AROUND HERE, ONE OF THE DOCENTS.

>> YES.

Huell: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ADOBE.

WOULD THIS HAVE BEEN A GRAND HOUSE WHEN IT WAS BUILT?

>> WHEN MR. LEONIS CAME AND REMODELED IT, HE MADE IT INTO A LOVELY MONTEREY-STYLE HOME.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, REMODELED IT?

>> WELL, UPSCALED IT.

IT WAS A 4-ROOM ADOBE BRICK HOUSE-- Huell: WHEN HE GOT IT.

>> WHEN HE GOT IT, YES.

SO HE PUT WOOD PANELING ON THE WALLS, PUT IN THE PINE FLOORS, AND SHEATHED THE WHOLE OUTSIDE SO IT LOOKS LIKE A REGULAR HOME.

Huell: NOW, WAS THIS A GRAND HOUSE?

>> WELL, AT THAT TIME, IT WAS.

THIS AREA WAS THE MAIN LIVING ROOM, AND THEY DID A LOT OF ENTERTAINING HERE.

Huell: AHH.

>> BECAUSE MR. LEONIS WAS DOWNTOWN IN THE COURTHOUSE WITH THE LAWSUITS FREQUENTLY OVER LOSS OF LANDS AND THAT KIND OF THING, SO SHE ENTERTAINED LAWYERS AND JUDGES.

Huell: BOY, WHEN YOU WENT TO DOWNTOWN L.A., YOU WERE GOING WAY INTO TOWN, WEREN'T YOU?

>> I THINK AT LEAST A 12-HOUR TRIP.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

FROM HERE TO DOWNTOWN L.A. >> RIGHT.

Huell: 12 HOURS?

>> YES, ON A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE.

Huell: NOW, RIGHT OFF THE GRAND LIVING ROOM IS THIS LITTLE ROOM FILLED WITH--AND BOY, I MEAN FILLED.

THAT LOOKS LIKE A DEAD STEER.

>> THAT IS A STEER.

Huell: NOT A REAL STEER.

>> NO.

Huell: THAT'S MADE OUT OF PLASTIC.

>> THE PROP MAN MADE THAT FOR US.

Huell: WHAT WOULD THIS ROOM HAVE BEEN?

>> THIS WAS TO STORE THE FOOD.

THIS WAS THE COOLEST PART OF THE HOUSE.

THERE WAS NO ICE OR REFRIGERATION AVAILABLE, OF COURSE, AT THAT TIME, SO BELOW, IN THIS COOL--REALLY COOL PART, THEY WOULD STORE THEIR WINE AND WRAP THEIR FRESH FRUITS IN STRAW TO KEEP IT FRESH SO THEY'D HAVE ALL YEAR LONG.

THE MEAT, THEY WOULD HANG TO DRY AND SALT IT DOWN AND TRY AND COOK IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, 'CAUSE IT WASN'T A REALLY GOOD WAY TO PRESERVE FOOD.

Huell: WE TAKE REFRIGERATION AND SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS ICE FOR GRANTED TODAY, DON'T WE?

>> YES, WE REALLY DO.

ICE WASN'T AVAILABLE OUT HERE UNTIL ABOUT 1900, THAT IT WAS--YOU KNOW, THEY HAD THE ICE HOUSES WHERE THEY COULD GET SOME ICE.

Huell: SO UNTIL THEN, THIS WAS IT.

>> OR OFTEN, THEY WOULD USE-- WE HAVE A LITTLE CREEK CLOSE BY, AND SOMETIMES, THEY WOULD STORE THE MILK AND THE BUTTER IN THERE TO KEEP IT COOL.

Huell: OK. WE'RE COMING UPSTAIRS.

AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG DEAL, TO HAVE A 2-STORY HOUSE BACK THEN, WOULDN'T IT?

>> DEFINITELY, YES.

AND THIS THAT WE'RE WALKING ON IS THE ROOF OF THE PORCH.

THIS WAS AN OPEN PORCH THAT MR. LEONIS ENCLOSED.

Huell: SO HE BUILT ONTO IT OVER THE YEARS.

>> HE ENCLOSED PORCHES AND MAKING MORE LIVABLE-- Huell: MADE IT A BIGGER HOUSE, A BETTER HOUSE.

>> MORE LIVABLE, DEFINITELY.

YOU CAN SEE THE SLOPE IN THE FLOOR.

Huell: YEAH.

I FEEL LIKE I'M KIND OF SLOPING DOWNHILL.

>> THAT IS BECAUSE IT WAS AN OUTSIDE PORCH, AND ON AN ADOBE HOUSE, IF IT RAINED, YOU HAD TO GET THAT WATER OFF FAST.

SO IT'S A NATURAL GUTTER.

Huell: DOES EVERYBODY LIKE THE BED?

>> YEAH!

Huell: WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO SLEEP IN THE BED?

>> YEAH!

Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE LIKE, TO SLEEP IN A BED LIKE THAT?

>> COOL.

>> COMFORTABLE.

Huell: IT'S KIND OF LIKE A QUEEN'S BED, ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

Huell: SOMETHING THAT A QUEEN WOULD SLEEP IN.

BUT NO QUEENS WERE SLEEPING HERE.

WHO WAS SLEEPING HERE, CHARLOTTE?

>> IT WAS MIGUEL AND ESPIRITU.

THIS IS THEIR BEDROOM, VERY NICE BEDROOM.

AND LOOK AT THE-- THERE'S A CHAMBER POT THERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

LET'S DON'T TALK ABOUT THE CHAMBER POT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BED.

>> OK. [LAUGHS] >> THE BED IS FROM THE 1880s, AND YOU SEE HOW NICE IT LOOKS ON TOP?

THEY COULD CLOSE IT UP.

IT COULD BE PRIVATE.

OR THEY COULD OPEN IT UP.

BUT IT ALSO KEPT THEM WARM.

Huell: WHY WOULD THEY HAVE IT WITH ALL OF THIS--THAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE VELVET THERE.

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS VELVET.

AND BECAUSE THEY LOVED TO BE ABLE TO COME IN HERE--AND THIS WAS THEIR SANCTUARY--TO COME IN, ESPECIALLY ESPIRITU.

SHE LIKED TO COME IN HERE.

SHE COULD REST AND-- Huell: NOW, HER NAME WAS... >> ESPIRITU.

Huell: SHE WAS THE CHUMASH INDIAN, CHUMASH INDIAN THAT HE MARRIED.

>> SHE WAS.

HER ORIGINAL NAME WAS ESPIRITU CHIJULLA.

THAT WAS--HER FATHER WAS CHIEF OF THE MALIBU INDIANS.

AND WHEN THEY MARRIED, HE WAS ABLE TO ACQUIRE ABOUT 11,000 ACRES OF PROPERTY.

Huell: NOW, WHEN HE DIED--HE DIED BACK IN... >> HE DIED IN 1889.

Huell: AND SHE LIVED... >> SHE LIVED TILL 1906.

Huell: SO SHE LIVED QUITE A WHILE AFTER HE DIED.

>> QUITE A WHILE.

BUT SHE DID HAVE HER SON, JUAN MENENDEZ, WHO CAME TO LIVE ON THE RANCH WITH HIS WIFE, AND THEY HELPED HER RUN THE RANCH.

Huell: SO IT STAYED IN THE FAMILY.

>> IT STAYED IN THE FAMILY FOR A LONG TIME, UNTIL IT WAS SOLD OFF AT THE END.

Huell: WELL, THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE FAVORITE STOPS ON THE TOUR.

Y'ALL LIKE THIS BED, DON'T YOU?

>> YEAH.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHAMBER POT?

>> EWW!

[LAUGHS] >> THE CHAMBER POT WOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY SOME FOURTH GRADERS IN THOSE DAYS.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

AND THEY WEREN'T TOO HAPPY HEARING THAT.

Huell: Y'ALL WANT TO CHANGE THE CHAMBER POT?

>> EWW!

Huell: WE FOUND THE ADOBE, THE ORIGINAL ADOBE.

THERE IT IS.

YOU CAN SEE IT THROUGH THE LITTLE WINDOW THERE.

THIS REALLY TELLS A STORY, DOESN'T IT, DORIS?

>> IT DOES.

IT MAKES IT-- EXPLAINS IT TO THE CHILDREN THAT UNDERNEATH ALL OF THE PLASTER IS THE ORIGINAL ADOBE THAT MR. LEONIS JUST COVERED UP FOR COSMETIC LOOK, MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE ATTRACTIVE HOME.

Huell: AND THE FACT THAT HE COVERED IT UP OVER 100 AND-- >> 150.

Huell: 50 YEARS AGO SAVED THIS HOUSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

DURING THE '94 EARTHQUAKE, WE HAD JUST SOME SMALL DAMAGE ON THIS-- THE MASTER BEDROOM ON THAT WALL, AND OTHERWISE, WE WITHSTOOD A VERY BAD SHAKER.

Huell: AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN REINFORCED WITH THIS WOOD AND THIS PLASTER THAT HE HAD PUT OVER THE ADOBE.

>> DEFINITELY.

NOW, WE--IT'S ALL BEEN REBARRED NOW.

WE HAD TO TAKE ALL THE WALLS DOWN, OF COURSE, AND CHECK EVERYTHING, BUT WE SUFFERED VERY LITTLE MAIN DAMAGE BECAUSE OF HIS THINKING.

Huell: AND THAT'S IT.

THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.

>> YES.

AND IT REALLY IS WONDERFUL BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE STRAW AND ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS THAT THEY USED IN THE ADOBE MUD TO MAKE THE BRICKS.

Huell: IT'S REALLY A LOOK BACK INTO THE PAST.

>> IT DEFINITELY IS.

Huell: WE'RE WALKING OUT ON THE GRAND--WOULD THIS HAVE BEEN CALLED VERANDA?

>> DEFINITELY.

Huell: THE GRAND VERANDA.

AND WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE DONE--SIT HERE AND LOOK OUT OVER ALL THEIR LAND HOLDINGS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN THE EVENINGS, ON A HOT DAY, IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO SIT UP HERE AND GET THE COOL BREEZE AND LOOK--NO BUILDINGS ACROSS THE STREET EXCEPT--THEY HAD A BARN AND A BLACKSMITH'S SHOP.

BUT OTHERWISE, AS FAR AS THEIR EYE COULD SEE WAS THEIR PROPERTY.

Huell: WELL, TODAY, YOU'RE SEEING A PARKING LOT AND THE MAIN STREET OF CALABASAS COMING THROUGH HERE.

BUT THAT'S OK, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN PRESERVED.

>> DEFINITELY, YES.

Huell: NOW, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN A BIG DEAL TO HAVE A VERANDA?

>> UM, I THINK MOST OF THE MONTEREY-STYLE HOUSES, THEY DID MAKE A PORCH, OR A VERANDA.

Huell: BUT BACK IN THE DAY, THERE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN MANY MONTEREY-STYLE-- >> NO, NO, BECAUSE THIS WAS VERY SPARSELY SETTLED OUT IN THIS AREA, AT THAT TIME.

Huell: YEAH.

SO WHEN THEY SAT HERE, THEY REALLY WERE LOOKING OUT AT NOTHING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: AND EVERYTHING THEY WERE LOOKING AT, THEY OWNED.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

Huell: AND TODAY, YOU CAN LOOK OUT THIS WAY.

YOU CAN ALWAYS ALSO LOOK OVER HERE.

THERE'S THE HISTORIC LEONIS ADOBE CAT.

>> THAT'S PUMA, AND SHE'S OUR BARN CAT.

Huell: WELL, THEY GOT TO HAVE A BARN CAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: TAKE CARE OF THE MICE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: WE'RE ENDING UP WHERE WE STARTED THIS MORNING, BUT BOY, HAVE WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THIS PLACE.

A COUPLE OF THINGS WE HAVE TO COVER RIGHT AWAY.

I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF THIS OLD HOUSE.

IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL DOWN.

>> IT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION IN 1960, 1961, AND THERE WAS A WOMAN, A LOCAL WOMAN, WHO DECIDED THAT SHE WAS VERY INTERESTED IN HISTORY AND DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE IT, AND SHE SAVED IT FROM DEMOLITION.

SHE CREATED THE LOS ANGELES CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD, AND THROUGH THAT BOARD, THIS BECAME HISTORICAL LANDMARK NUMBER ONE FOR LOS ANGELES.

Huell: THIS IS LOS ANGELES HISTORICAL LANDMARK NUMBER ONE.

>> NUMBER ONE.

Huell: WHAT WAS THE LADY'S NAME?

>> KAY BEACHY.

Huell: BOY, SHE DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT.

>> SHE HAD A LOT OF INSIGHT.

Huell: AND SO, THIS IS--IS THIS A CITY PARK, A COUNTY PARK, A STATE--WHAT IS THIS?

>> NO, THIS IS PRIVATELY OWNED BY THE LEONIS ADOBE ASSOCIATION THAT WAS SET UP BY KAY BEACHY.

Huell: SO ALL OF THIS IS RUN BY A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION, THE DOCENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION, THE UPKEEP, EVERYTHING?

>> YES, EVERYTHING IS.

Huell: WOW.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

Huell: WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEONIS ADOBE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION.

>> HUELL, WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE BOTTLE OF THE FIRST CRUSH FROM OUR VINES HERE IN FRONT OF THE ADOBE, AND HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL DEVELOP INTO A--MAYBE A FUNDRAISING PRODUCT FOR US.

Huell: YOU'RE GOING TO BE MAKING WINE EVERY YEAR?

>> EVERY YEAR, WE INTEND TO DO IT.

Huell: WOW.

WELL, THEY MADE WINE BACK IN THE DAY.

NOW, I AM GOING TO ACCEPT THIS, AND I'M GOING TO DRINK IT FOR PURELY HISTORICAL PURPOSES, OF COURSE... >> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: TO MAKE SURE IT'S AS GOOD AS IT WAS IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN THEY, YOU KNOW, HAD THE VAT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK HOUSE OVER THERE.

>> THEY DID A LOT OF WINEMAKING IN THE OLD DAYS.

Huell: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE WINE DRINKING NOW.

>> GOOD.

Huell: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

Huell: CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU WERE WITH ME EARLIER TODAY WHEN YOU HEARD ME SAY SOMETIMES THINGS ARE RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE, RIGHT IN YOUR BACK YARD, AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY EXIST.

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT, ISN'T IT?

>> YES, IT IS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

Huell: AND WE WANT A LOT MORE PEOPLE TO COME, TOO.

>> OH, WE SURE DO.

THERE'S A LOT MORE TO SEE.

Huell: YOU CAN FEED THE ANIMALS.

YOU CAN PET THE CAT.

YOU CAN SEE THE VELVET RED--RED VELVET BED.

YOU CAN SEE THE ADOBE.

MAYBE EVEN YOU CAN DRINK A LITTLE BIT OF WINE.

IT'S ALL PART OF LOS ANGELES HISTORICAL LANDMARK NUMBER ONE, THIS WONDERFUL OLD ADOBE BUILT BACK ORIGINALLY IN THE... >> 1844.

Huell: AND IT'S ALIVE AND WELL AND GOING STRONG, AND HERE FOR ALL OF US TO DISCOVER, VISIT, AND ENJOY.

AS WE END UP, EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR.

GIVE US A WAVE, KIDS.

BOY, THEY'RE WAITING.

THEY'VE HAD A LONG DAY.

PAT AND MARY ALICE ARE SITTING OVER HERE ON THE BENCH.

WHAT'S GETTING READY TO HAPPEN, LADIES?

>> HERE ARE THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR.

THE KIDS MADE THE TORTILLAS AND CHURNED THE BUTTER, AND WE'RE READY TO HAVE DINNER.

Huell: THEY'RE GOING TO EAT WHAT THEY MADE.

>> WHAT THEY MADE.

Huell: ARE YOU READY TO EAT?

YOU WORKED UP A GOOD APPETITE?

>> YEAH.

Huell: GO ON THROUGH.

BOY, EVERYBODY GETS A TORTILLA, GETS HOMEMADE BUTTER PUT ON IT.

THIS KIND OF GIVES THEM A HANDS-ON APPRECIATION OF THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE.

WOW.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

Huell: HA!

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

Huell: IT REALLY DOES LET PEOPLE KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK AND FOOD.

>> AND THEIR FOOD.

VERY IMPORTANT.

Huell: AND THIS IS THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

>> THAT'S THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

AND THESE ARE NICE AND HOT AND GUARANTEED-- Huell: CAN I HAVE ONE?

WOULD YOU MIND?

ARE THERE ENOUGH?

>> OH, THERE'S ENOUGH.

Huell: BOY, THEY ARE HOT.

>> GOOD, HUH?

Huell: THEY'RE GOOD WITHOUT THE BUTTER.

>> WELL--BUT THEY'RE EVEN BETTER WITH BUTTER.

Huell: LET ME PUT A LITTLE BIT OF BUTTER ON HERE.

OH, BOY.

LOOK AT THAT--A HAND-MADE TORTILLA BY THE KIDS, THE BUTTER CHURNED BY THE KIDS.

>> YOU WERE GOOD.

[INDISTINCT] Huell: OH, BOY.

YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB.

THAT'S YOUR BUTTER, YEAH!

>> COOL.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] [INDISTINCT CHATTERING] >> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...