Santa Barbara County Biographies

CHARLES L. HALL

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


CHARLES L. HALL, the present manager of the "Miramar" ranch, which contains 550 acres 
and is located in the foothills overlooking the Carpenteria Valley, was born and educated 
in France, completing his education at the agricultural college in the south of France. This 
college is very thorough in its instructions and rigid in examinations. He there passed two 
years and a half, and in 1885 came direct to California, to take charge of the ranch which 
was purchased by his father in 1878. His father, C. O. Hall, is a native of New England and 
went to France in 1860. Being a dentist of great prominence, he now operates in Paris 
during the summer and in Nice during the winter months. Mr. Hall purchased his ranch 
through his brother, H. H. Hall, of Santa Barbara, with a view of cultivating flowers for the 
oil they contain. This business was conceived after a long experience in the south of France, 
where the industry is extensively carried on. The climate of the Carpenteria Valley being 
similar to that of southern France. Mr. Hall thought the flowers could be produced to 
advantage here. It, however, proved unprofitable, owing to expensive labor and the great 
destructiveness of gophers and ground squirrels; so, on the arrival of his son, Charles L., the 
entire plan was changed and the ranch is now being devoted to fruit. They have 3,000 olive 
trees planted, and anticipate increasing the number to 40,000. Three hundred of the Nostral 
olives were imported from the South of France. They are also largely interested in the 
production of loquats, which mature in the early spring, and which are considered very 
profitable. In addition to the fruits already mentioned, they have 1,500 Sicily lemons, 150 
Mandarin oranges, and a large number of apple trees. Altogether this is a ranch scientifically 
conducted and must necessarily bring profitable results. Mr. Hall also cultivates many rare 
and novel plants here, for ornamentation rather than profit. 

An important feature of this ranch is the dairy. They have across of Jersey, Durham and Holstein 
cattle, and manufacture an Italian cheese, having an expert to manage the dairy. They also have 
a high grade of horses for farm purposes. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.