In the heart of Los Angeles’ bustling San Fernando Valley, nestled amidst suburban sprawl and just blocks away from the busy Ventura Freeway, stands a century-old orange grove with a storied history. This grove, known as the Bothwell Ranch, has become a symbol of nostalgia for a time when agriculture reigned supreme in the valley. However, its future is now uncertain, as a developer seeks to replace most of the trees with a new housing subdivision.
For Setmir and Aida Qose, who purchased a World War II-era home across the street from the Bothwell Ranch last April, the allure of the property was not just the house itself but also the century-old orange grove that graced their surroundings, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. “Summertime, you can smell the oranges,” Aida Qose remarked in the report, adding, “It feels like you are living in the middle of the country.” Their sentiment is shared by many who appreciate the historical and natural significance of this citrus grove.
The Bothwell Ranch, covering 14 acres, holds the remnants of the last working citrus grove in the San Fernando Valley, a region that was once home to over 70,000 acres of citrus orchards in the 1920s. As suburban development encroached and global competition increased, many grove owners sold their land, marking the decline of this once-thriving industry.
The developer, Borstein Enterprises, has filed for permission to replace 1,100 of the 1,400 mostly citrus trees with a 21-home subdivision, setting aside 4 acres as a preserve for the old ranch, including an old structure used as a garage and workshop. Additionally, two rows of orange trees along the front entrance will be preserved as a buffer. Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield played a role in brokering this compromise, emphasizing that the preservation of a portion of the grove is a significant win.
However, not everyone is satisfied with this compromise. Critics argue that the Bothwell Ranch should be preserved in its entirety as a testament to the region’s agricultural heritage and as open space. Jeff Bornstein, president of the West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living conservation group, passionately advocates for preserving the entire grove, stating in the report that it is “the last of its kind, never to be duplicated.”
Beyond the historical significance, concerns about the impact of losing more trees in an urban environment like Los Angeles are raised. Rising temperatures due to climate change have prompted worries about the city’s green spaces. Jeanne McConnell, co-founder of the environmental group Angelenos for Trees, emphasizes the urgency of addressing the loss of green space as the city grapples with extreme heat events.
The developer has promised to plant at least 278 new trees and incorporate green setbacks on the property, but opponents remain unconvinced. They point to the Bothwell Ranch’s colorful history, including a collection of classic cars and a steam engine train track, as well as its role as a haven for celebrities like Walt Disney and Jay Leno.
The Bothwell Ranch’s history dates back to 1922 when it was first acquired by Sam Bothwell and later passed down to family members. Lindley Bothwell, Sam’s son, kept a collection of classic cars and maintained the grove, honoring his late wife’s wish to keep it intact. However, when the property was put up for sale in 2016 due to financial concerns, the fate of the grove became uncertain.
Efforts to save the grove included a petition signed by nearly 4,000 people and a proposal to designate the ranch as a historic and cultural monument, which would have made it harder to develop. Ultimately, the family sold the property to Borstein Enterprises in 2022 when a foundation’s financing efforts fell through.
While some neighbors are content with the compromise to build homes and preserve a portion of the grove, others are saddened by the prospect of losing most of the trees. The Bothwell Ranch, with its century-old citrus trees and rich history, remains a symbol of an era that has all but disappeared from the San Fernando Valley.
As the battle over the Bothwell Ranch’s future continues, it highlights the challenges of preserving historical and green spaces in rapidly growing urban areas like Los Angeles. It also underscores the need to strike a balance between development and conservation, all while considering the impacts of climate change and the value of preserving our agricultural heritage.
