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.