The Ferry Ranch

Levi Chase bought 3,000 acres in Tract B of Rancho El Cajon (now Lakeside Farms, Eucalyptus Hills) in 1874 and sold to Martha A. Wells that same year.

Henry Fellows bought the property in 1875 and built a home on Palm Row and Oak Creek Drive. He lived there until 1883, at which time he sold to James H. Benedict. From 1884 to 1886 the owner was Joseph H. Smith. The following year it was occupied by Joseph Winchester, who sold it in 1887 to Will Ferry.

Ferry sold 2,000 acres to a land company headed by Mr. Meyers, who built his home on Oak Creek Drive in Eucalyptus Hills.

When Will died, his brother John and his family moved into the house and lived there until John Ferry became County Recorder in 1906. After which, they moved to San Diego. The ranch was leased to William Inman, father of Mrs. Wallace Phillips, and to Ralph Gibbs, his son-in-law. In 1909, John Ferry's 1,000 acres were sold and subdivided into Lakeside Farms.

The Ferry Ranch House

Palm Row

Ranch House - 2002

From 1909 to 1912 the property was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wilber, who then sold it to A. W. Johnson. Arthur W. Johnson married Amber Ansler in National City on August 17, 1903. They moved to Oregon until 1906 when he returned to work for the Spreckles Company until 1912. At that time he bought the John Ferry Ranch and planted the first orchard of J. H. Hale peaches in San Diego County. He was later known as "Peach" Johnson. Mrs. Johnson died in 1936, and Mr. Johnson died on May 30, 1944. E. T. Guyman, Jr. purchased the ranch the same year.

Now, 127 years after it was built, the beautiful old ranch house and its real estate has fallen victim to the encroaching suburban sprawl that threatens the "small town" atmosphere that all Lakeside residents still enjoy (to some extent). No longer from the porch of this home will a sunset be seen with the sweet ambrosia of peach blossoms floating on the warm Spring air. Never again will this home hear the crow of a rooster at sunrise, nor the plaintive winnie of a horse at feeding time.