About the Friends of Pio Pico
State Historic Park

To work with the State of California in ensuring quality cultural and educational programs and activities about the legacy of Pío Pico and public benefit used for all visitors to the Pío Pico Historic State Park.

The Friends of Pío Pico, Inc., is a local non-profit organization working with the California State Park system dedicated to providing cultural and educational activities at the Pío Pico State Historical Park. The Friends of Pío Pico is a culmination of a long-term community effort to provide local citizens an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of California during the life and times of Pío de Jesus Pico IV (1801 - 1894) the last governor of "Mexican" California.

• Establish Pío Pico State Historic Park as a cultural and educational center for youth, families and visitors surrounding the San Gabriel Valley and the State of California.

• To increase awareness and knowledge through educational and interpretive activities of the historical significance of the Pío Pico Mansion, "El Ranchito" in Mexican and early California history.

• To engage the public's interest in participation of the interpretive history of the Pío Pico State Historic Park in collecting, preserving and presenting historical documents, artifacts and written materials which assist in the interpretation of Pío Pico and the Adobe mansion.

Pio de Jesus Pico was one of California's most remarkable historical figures (1801-1894). Born at the San Gabriel Mission on May 5, 1801, he helped shape the city of Los Angeles and the State of California and created a legacy as the last governor of "Mexican" California. After California became a state of the Union in 1849, Pío Pico adapted to the new political circumstances and prospered as a rancher and landowner. Pío Pico later built the Adobe Mansion at "El Ranchito," on his 8,891 acre ranch which is now located in the City of Whittier.

During his long and active life, he rose from proverty to become one of the richest man in California and for a time held the highest political office in Mexican California.

The four-acre Pío Pico State Historical Park is dedicated to preserving the Adobe home and cultural history of Pío Pico. Since 2001, more than five million dollars has been spent on an extensive restoration of the Park. The Adobe home of Pío Pico, which was damaged by earthquakes, has been restored to its 1880's condition. Park landscaping is currently being changed to more closely resemble the original character of Pico ranch Orange trees, gardens, and fields of crops have been planted at the Park. The Pío Pico mansion is located at 6003 Pioneer Blvd., Whittier, CA.

The Friends of Pio Pico is a non-profit organization and operates under the Corporation Laws of the State of California. Non-profit Tax ID # 91-2157321

Executive Board

• Carolyn Schoff, President
• Alex Moisa, Vice President
• Paul Hernandez, Secretary

• Gloria Duran
• Sam Guyan
• Rafael Flores
• Louis Lopez
• Maggie Valdivia
• Barbara Baiz, Vice-President Emeritus
• Victor Ledesma, Vice-President Emeritus

• Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez
• Senator Ron Calderon
• Assembly Member Tony Mendoza
• LA County Supervisor Don Knabe
• Ron Beilke, Mayor City of Pico Rivera
• Bob Henderson, Mayor City of Whittier
• Councilmember Greg Nordbak, City of Whittier
• Councilmember Greg Salcido, City of Pico Rivera
• Ray Chavez, City of Pico Rivera
• Betty Putnam, City of Santa Fe Springs
• Kyle Koestner, Whittier Historical Society
• Claude Martinez, J.D.
• Scott Neal, Whittier Conservancy
• Lilyan Neal, Whittier Conservancy
• Maria Elena Martinez, Board of Trustees Rio Hondo College

• Sean Woods, Cooperating Association Liaison
• Kristen Perry, State Park Interpreter I
• James Camacho, State Park Visitor Aide

Friends of Pio Pico, Inc.
P.O. Box 5798
Whittier, CA 90607
(562) 695-1217 ext. 104
Non Profit Tax ID # 91-2157321
www.piopico.org