National Council on Public History

A virtual interactive experience that shows rarely seen archival photos of Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park alongside modern photos. Leo Carrillo was a famous actor during the golden era of Hollywood. He starred in plays and was in over 90 films, but may be most famous for his role as “Pancho” on the Cisco Kid television series that was hugely popular in the 1950’s.
In 1937, he purchased land in Carlsbad, and began to build a ranch that was inspired by the historic ranchos of the early Californio era. The result was a rambling adobe hacienda, rustic outbuildings, and beautiful grounds. The Carrillo family used the ranch as a vacation retreat and a beloved gathering place for family and friends.