The Hoskins Ranch is located at 8212 Pleasants
Valley Road and has been in owner Ethel Hoskins’ family since 1850. Her
grandfather, William James Pleasants, and his father, James Madison
Pleasants, came to CA in a wagon train in 1849 and, after not having
success of any great proportion in the gold fields, came here to this
homestead in 1850. W.J. Pleasants returned in 1856 to Kentucky to lead a
wagon train back that would include his sisters and brother. His
devotion to farming, ranching, community service, and family left a
legacy for future generations.
Following both Ethel’s
grandfather and her mother, she continues to ranch now on the remaining
406 acres of his once 4000 plus acre ranch. To preserve this beautiful
piece of ranch property for perpetuity, a conservation easement was
placed on 366 acres in January of 2003. Further, 13 buildings of this
ranch, including the landmark Victorian home built by W.J. Pleasants in
1891, are now on both the National and State Historical Register of
Significant Places.
As there are no heirs to follow in Ethel’s
footsteps, she created the Joyful Ranch Foundation which will help guide
in the restoration, preservation, and education of this property and to
preserve it for generations to come. The purposes for which this
non-profit foundation was organized are to educate, enrich and inspire
the general public in the rich history of the William James Pleasants
Ranch and to provide a setting for spiritual renewal. The means shall
include but not be limited to: the preserving of historic buildings, the
securing habitat for wildlife and plants, the conserving of land and
waterways, the supporting agriculture, and the maintaining of scenic
vistas.