HILLSDALE ORCHARD @ S BAR RANCH

Hillsdale Farms @ S Bar Ranch is a family ad-venture owned by the Stratton and Maurer families. Formerly known as the Hillsdale Mandarin Farm, the property was lovingly renamed S Bar Ranch after our families purchased it, with a commitment to preserving its rich agricultural heritage while sharing its story with future generations.

Nestled along historic Rock Springs Road in Newcastle, the ranch has witnessed decades of Placer County farming history. Originally planted with kiwi, pear, and persimmon orchards, the ranch later transitioned to the mandarins and persimmons that became a hallmark of the region. In the 1930s, mules were still used to plow between the orchard rows, reflecting the hardworking traditions that shaped the land.

The property is home to two original packing sheds that still stand today, including one that retains its original workers’ quarters. During the fall harvest, Hispanic agricultural workers participating in the Bracero Program came to the ranch to help harvest the fruit, playing an important role in the success of local agriculture.

Local history also tells us that both the Pony Express and the Sacramento-to-Auburn stagecoach route traveled through the lower portion of the property, adding another fascinating chapter to the ranch’s story.

Rock Springs Road itself holds a significant place in Placer County history.  Before World War II, much of the road was owned and farmed by Japanese American families whose orchards helped establish Newcastle as one of California’s premier fruit-growing communities. During the war, many of these families were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in internment camps, leaving behind their farms and orchards. After the war, most returned and continued working the land. Eventually their heirs sold the properties, orchards died off or were removed and homes were built.

Today, we are honored to serve as the next caretakers of this remarkable property, preserving its history while celebrating the generations of farmers whose dedication helped shape the agricultural legacy of Placer County.