Heritage Hill Historical Park

• El Toro Grammer School
• Bennett Ranch House
• Serrano Adobe
• St. George's Episcopal Mission
• Special Events

This park, County of Orange Historic Landmark #32, is the County's first historic park. Four early California structures, complete with period furnishings and landscaping, span the time from the great Mexican ranchos to the beginning of the citrus industry in Orange County. Visitors have the opportunity to tour the Serrano Adobe (circa 1863), the El Toro Grammar School (1890), St. George's Episcopal Mission (1891), and the Bennett Ranch House (1908).

This one-room schoolhouse was originally located at the west corner of First Street and Olive Avenue in El Toro. Built in 1890, it housed grades 1-8 and was the first school in the area. This building was used until 1914 when a new two-room schoolhouse was constructed adjacent to it. Antoinette and Juan Pierre Gless purchased the original school in 1915 and moved it to El Toro Road where it was used as St. Anthony's Catholic Church until 1968. During the early 1970's the schoolhouse was unoccupied and suffered from vandalism. In 1976, the schoolhouse was donated to the County of Orange for restoration and preservation and moved to Heritage Hill.

Originally constructed at the corner of 2nd Street and Cherry Avenue in 1908, the Bennett Ranch House is the only remaining turn-of-the-century ranch house in El Toro. Charles F. Bennett purchased land in El Toro to pioneer the growing of navel oranges and built this one and one-half story structure for a live-in caretaker. When Charles Bennett became ill, his son Harvey moved into the ranch house to oversee his father's El Toro holdings. Harvey took up citrus farming and became interested in improving various strains of oranges and lemons. Harvey's wife, Frances, lead a busy life raising six children, cooking, washing, and sewing for the family and ranch lands, teaching Sunday School at St. George's Episcopal Mission, and doing community work with the Ladies Aid Society (now the El Toro Woman's Club).

The Serrano Adobe was built by Don Jose Serrano on his 10,688 acre Rancho Canada de los Alisos. about 1863. It is the second of five adobes built by the Serranos on this Mexican land grant and the only one still remai ing. Don Jose lived in the Adobe and raised cattle. A series of droughts, beginning in 1863 and lasting intermittently through 1883, forced the Serrano family to divide the ranch and mortgage several sections. Dwight Whiting, who played a major role in the settling and development of El Toro, purchased the Serrano Adobe and most of the old rancho in 1884. His son, I George Whiting, made extensive improvements to the Adobe in 1932, adding a dining room, master bedroom, and kitchen. Shortly after George Whiting's restoration effort, the Serrano Adobe was nominated and accepted as California State Landmark #199.

Built in 1891, St. George's Episcopal Mission was originally located on Whisler Drive in El Toro. The church was used as a house of worship for English settlers recruited to El Toro by Dwight Whiting to become "gentleman fruit farmers". Most of the interior furnishings are original and include the oak baptismal font with clam shell basin, carved altar, ship's lantern, reed organ, and bracket lamps. At one time, 37 acres of olive trees provided income for the church. Several olive trees have been planted around the building on its current site. Today, St. George's is all that remains of the English colony which settled El Toro.

Heritage Hill Historic Park offers a unique and charming historic setting for a wide variety of special events. For large groups, we offer several outdoor areas throughout the landscaped grounds suitable for ceremonies and events. Small group functions can be accommodated in designated areas inside the historic buildings. You may bring in your own caterer.

Please call the park office at (714) 855-2028 for reservation information and policies.

Fee Schedule

Receptions exceeding 200 people will be
charged in accordance with the above fees.

Weddings/Ceremonies

Meetings/Workshops

Note: Additional staffing, refundable deposits, security and special fees may apply.
Contact park staff for more information.

Please:

• This park depends on the visitors to protect historic furnishings and artifacts. Please do not handle them.
• Refreshments and/or smoking are prohibited inside the buildings. Due to the age of the floors visitors must wear proper footwear.
• Pets must be restrained by a leash at all times (6 foot maximum), and are not allowed in the buildings.

Groups are required to obtain a group-use permit at least 15 days in advance.

Operating Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tours: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 2:00p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays at l 1:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays.

These times are subject to change. Additional tours may be given as the need arises. For tour confirmation and information, call the park office at (714)855-2028.

Handicapped access is available for exterior tours of the buildings.

Weddings may be held on the grounds only (not within the park buildings) and may be arranged by permit, available from the park office.