Exploring the Historic Bancroft Ranch House in Spring Valley, California

The Bancroft Ranch House, named for pioneering historian Hubert H. Bancroft, is one of the oldest buildings in Southern California, having been built in 1863. Adjacent to the ranch house is the spring that Spring Valley gets its name from and the Bancroft Rock House. Today, the Bancroft Ranch House is a museum and the headquarters of the Spring Valley Historical Society. In this video we explore the ranch house, locate the spring, and take a quick look at the site's history.
For more information on the Spring Valley Historical Society check out: www.svhistoricalsociety.org
The Bancroft Ranch House and Museum is located at 9050 Memory Ln, Spring Valley, CA 91977.
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[@DW-qe7qe]

I grew up in La Mesa, right next door, and never knew this place existed.

[@beyond_civilization]

What a nice hidden gem! Thanks for the tour. 👏

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@Porsche996driver]

Hidden gem, yes.

[@humanbeing6491]

Went there around 2010 and the gentleman working there was amazing at telling the history. Learned Babe Ruth went duck hunting at Sweetwater Lake with the picture to prove it and Dictionary Hill streets are so steep because the land was bought and developed by a company on the east coast who did not realize the land was not flat. I wish the area was nicer surrounding it. I have lived in Spring Valley since 1985 and it gets more run down every year.

[@richardmcgrew2167]

Interesting place. Had a very friendly caretaker the couple of times i visited. He lived in a small house right next to the parking area.

[@juicypoofs3530]

I grew up in spring valley and went here on a field trip in elementary school, had a spooky vibe to it like it felt haunted. Even living very close to it, I had no idea it was there till the field trip. It's kinda hidden in-between apartment buildings and other industrial sites. The spring had way more water back in the late 80's, looked like a pond/creek.

[@michaeldeal4846]

Excellent video. In fact I enjoy all your videos. And they're all just the right length for each subject matter.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, we appreciate it.

[@ronaldhague2565]

I am a San Diego native grew up in NC but I love the historical significance of our town

[@chrislilly8657]

Funny you made an armpit of San Diego seem so interesting and neat 👌 SD native

[@robertlyman9789]

Probably still Un affordable

[@kevindear3350]

I’ve been waiting for a Friday after covid when they would be open again and thanks for the great tour!

[@kyleohara8700]

You're really great at framing shots. I also find it hilarious that they buried a case of PBR. Thank you for taking us along!

[@tgwest62]

I lived in the adobe house in 1975 and went to bancroft elementary school in 5th grade! Alot of spirit's

[@jerrycooper6033]

Very interesting, thank you!❤

[@fakealexstrong]

Yes! Love when sidetrack adventures uploads. My friend and I both agree that you sound like Seths bike hacks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks! I'll have to check that channel out.

[@Corgis175]

I agree the Historical Society would do et all justice then just San Diego proper. Very interesting.

[@markjenkins2860]

Pabst Blue Ribbon!

[@sandystrickland9950]

I've been there 😀it looks the same, it was 20yrs "about" 👍👍

[@johncasor9698]

i grew up right down the street off bancroft in 1959, and hung out at my friend ricky roberts house , which is right next door to the bancroft house in 1967, but never saw that Rock house ever, it was covered in bushes and trees, another friend of mine lived in front of the Rock House , he might of known of it, but i did not until about 2011 i think is the first time i saw it i was like what is that?? but now they cleared the bushes out and put up a fence around the Rock House and made it a thing to look at and talk about...

[@logansouthard7463]

I think you knew my mothers oldest brother! Ricky roberts, they lived on memory lane right next door! Her name is Rana Roberts and she would have been one in 67. My middle name is Ricky because he was my uncle!

[@johncasor9698]

@@logansouthard7463 yes thats the kid i hung out with, he went to spring valley elementary school....

[@suckmyfnballs]

I lived in Spring Valley from the age of 5 to 18. I also never knew this place existed.

[@lancelessard2491]

Many of the olive trees that were part of the original estate are still there lining the streets. Most have no idea how old those trees are.

[@pendora5717]

Me, in spring valley watching this like 😬

[@mgeorge1152]

You should do dictionary hill. History is pretty neat

[@johncasor9698]

the north side about 100 yards at 3700 helix street you can see a very old rock built some of kind structure for living or storage a large looking teepee of stone rocks and its still there. and right below it a bout 100 yards on the side of the hill is a very old real bomb shelter we would hang out in. it is right behind the Casper Concrete Cutting company yard which is directly across from the Spring Valley Elementary School that i went to in 1962 after school we would go up in the hill and enter into the fall out shelter that was built by the U.S. Military, i think it is still there but hidden on the hill side, i do not know if you can still enter it, it is right behind the Casper company on the hill about half way up... Reply

[@JasmineApple]

Really interesting! Good video! I agree with you, it looks like the Spring Valley Historical Society has done a better job of historical conservancy. The spring itself is kind of sad looking!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

They had a picture there of the spring in the late 1880s/early 1900s and it was full of water. Crazy that its pretty much just mushy ground now.

[@patrickmichael1057]

A case of PBR, you got to love the US service men.

[@anthonyadams6688]

I happened to drive by the Olivenhain meeting hall on accident. It looks like an interesting place to visit. Just an idea, if you are ever in the area. I would love to hear more about it's history!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I don't think I've ever been to the Olivenhain. I'll definitely look into it. The pictures of it look really cool.

[@alanhelton]

Out of curiosity, on your trip to SE Arizona did you stop at John Rambo’s house (Sierra Vista)

[@SidetrackAdventures]

No, I didn't even know about it. We did see a Rambo mural in Bowie, AZ last time through there.

[@rickkaylor8554]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never visited this site despite living close by. I'll have to do so.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We had no idea it was there until recently too. Its definitely hidden away.

[@janebeckman3431]

So they plan to remove nearly 150-year-old palm trees so the site can be "natural" again? Sad, since that boat has long since sailed, and this is a small park in the midst of an uninspired mixed use area. With historic trees, it has context. Without, it's just a small piece of undeveloped land.

[@josealvarado6482]

How can this historical site be administrate by the San Diego County if is locate in san Bernardino county ?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its in San Diego County.

[@josealvarado6482]

Sorry in Victorville California There is also a Place called Spring Valley , I was confused

[@tgwest62]

The adobe house is part of this too , your review not complete!

[@timbreuninger8227]

Oh gosh please don't remove the palm trees 🌴🌴🌴

[@Pushyhog]

state should of saved that whole ranch, depressing vid.