SPOTLIGHT: HERITAGE HILL HISTORICAL PARK

Location: 25151 Serrano Road, El Toro

Description: The 4.1-acre park includes four restored and furnished historic buildings, spanning local history from the time of the Mexican ranchos to the founding of the community of El Toro and through the citrus farming days of the early 20th Century. The site is adjacent to Serrano Creek Community Park.

Activities: Guided tours of the buildings are available, providing an interpretation of Saddleback area history (buildings are open to the public only during public tours). The grounds are also available for weddings, and special events are planned through the year.

History: The Serrano Adobe was built in 1858 by Don Jose Serrano’s family as the original land grantees of the Rancho Canada de los Alisos, granted to Don Jose by the Mexican government by grants in 1841 and 1846. The adobe was passed among various owners until 1969, when V.P. Baker sold his 5,000-acre Baker Ranch to Occidental Petroleum and stipulated that the Serrano Adobe be donated to a public agency for preservation. In

1974, the park site and adobe were donated to Orange County.

The Saddleback Area Historical Society was formed in 1973 and together with other community interest groups became involved in efforts to save other historic structures from destruction. In 1976, two buildings were moved to the site: El Toro’s first church, St. George’s Episcopal Mission (1891), and the first schoolhouse, El Toro Grammar School (1890). The Harvey Bennett Ranch House (1908) was moved there in 1978. Heritage Hill Historical Park became the county’s first historical park in May, 1981.

Hours: The park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are offered at 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Group tours must be arranged at least 2 weeks in advance.

Fees: There are no fees for entrance or public tours. Voluntary donations are accepted by the Amigos de la Colina volunteer docent group, which provides tour groups and aids the park in historical program presentations.

Mass transit: OCTD route no. 75.