Jackson Ranch Purchase Complete

Thirty-eight acres of land sold for $1.1 million
By Tony Burchyns Staff Writer

Morgan Hill – The historic 38-acre Jackson Ranch east of Morgan Hill has been sold.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved the $1.1 million purchase of the ranch – located on the east side of Anderson Reservoir on East Dunne Avenue – for use as a county park and interpretive center. 

“Jackson Ranch personifies Santa Clara County history”, said County Supervisor Don Gage, in a press release.

The deal marks the end of a nearly 20-year-old arrangement whereby the County Parks and Recreation Department leased the property free-of-charge from the California Pioneers Society, a statewide non-profit organization that inherited the land in the 1980s.

During the past 18 years, the county has pitched in $600,000 to restore the ranch’s 1904 Victorian house that was heavily damaged in a 1984 earthquake. 

For some time, the county had been considering purchasing the ranch to preserve it, said Jerry Rosenthal, president of the California Pioneer’s Society. He said proceeds from the sale would allow his organization to refurbish a historic house located in San Jose’s History Park for use as a museum. 

Some of Gladys Jackson’s – one of the ranch’s last living heirs – possessions will be on display at the new museum when it opens, hopefully in August, Rosenthal said. 

The Santa Clara County Open Space Authority is acting as “middle man” in the ranch’s transaction. Earlier this year the Authority – which is not technically part of county government – agreed to hold the ranch in escrow while waiting for the county to approve funding. 

Patrick Congdon, general manager of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, said the deal means the land stands a greater chance of being preserved.

“It’s nice because that ranch will always be park land,” he said.

Still, folks could face a five-year wait before the ranch house opens its doors. County Parks and Recreation Department Director Lisa Killough said a new water system needs to be installed first, and it could cost the county $250,000 or more. Only then will new parks staff be assigned to the house.