In 1974, President Ronald Reagan bought the 688-acre Rancho del Cielo near Santa Barbara; sold 24 years later, it became a California State Landmark in 2002

Ronald and Nancy Reagan bought Rancho del Cielo, which is a 688-acre ranch in the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara, in 1974, near the end of Reagan's second term as California governor. The property became their private retreat and later served as Reagan's Western White House during his presidency.The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library describes the ranch as a working property with a small house, animals, horses and a lake. Reagan used it regularly during his years in the White House, often returning to the ranch between presidential duties.A working ranch, not a presidential estateThe Reagan Library describes the ranch as an informal ranch without central heating, maintained by a small staff. Cattle, horses and dogs lived on the property, while Reagan spent time riding and working outdoors. The ranch also had a small lake where he and Nancy Reagan went canoeing.The property became part of Reagan's life well before he entered the White House, and after his 1980 election, the ranch took on an additional role as a place where the president could work and receive visitors away from Washington. The Reagan Library's records of presidential trips show repeated visits to Rancho del Cielo throughout the 1980s. Reagan also used the ranch for radio addresses and meetings.The Western White HouseDuring Reagan's presidency, Rancho del Cielo became known as the Western White House. The ranch hosted foreign leaders and other prominent visitors, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.The Reagan Library says the ranch was used frequently during the administration as a vacation home, and its location in the mountains northwest of Santa Barbara provided a setting where Reagan could combine recreation with work. Reagan's activities there were often less formal than those at the White House. He rode horses, worked on fences and spent time around the ranch's animals. The property also became associated with some of his most recognizable outdoor photographs. The ranch remained in the family's ownership after Reagan left the presidency in 1989, and Reagan's final visit to the property came before his health made continued trips difficult.The ranch was sold in 1998The Reagans eventually put Rancho del Cielo on the market, and in 1998, Young America's Foundation purchased the 688-acre property with the intention of preserving it. Young America's Foundation says it acquired Rancho del Cielo on April 21, 1998, with the Reagan family's support. The organization has continued to preserve the ranch and use it for educational programs.The sale came 24 years after the Reagans had bought the ranch. It remained associated with Reagan's presidency and his personal life rather than being redeveloped as a private property. Young America's Foundation describes the ranch as Reagan's home for nearly 25 years and says it has preserved the property since the 1998 acquisition.A state landmarkRancho del Cielo received another designation in 2002, when the property was dedicated as a California State Landmark by the Native Sons of the Golden West. The designation came four years after Young America's Foundation acquired the ranch. The organization has continued to maintain the property in its historical form and use it for programs and special events.The ranch is not operated like a conventional public museum, as access is primarily connected to Young America's Foundation programs and special events, while the organization's Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara provides a more accessible public exhibit about Reagan and the property. Today, the 688-acre ranch remains in the hands of Young America's Foundation. The original ranch house, lake, barns and other features remain part of the property associated with Reagan's years there.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.