Rancho El Escorpión was a 1,110-acre Mexican land grant given in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to three Chumash Native Americans.

There was once a permanent settlement of about 60 or 100 Native Americans and a seasonal encampment for visitors.

Castle Peak was used by the Native Americans to celebrate winter solstice which is considered a time of renewal.

There’s a ceremonial cave that the Chumash believed to be inhabited by an Indian shaman.

Miguel Leonis came to the Valley in 1858. He married Espiritu Chijulla, whose father was one of the original land grantees.

Leonis used the land for cattle and sheep herds.

In the 1960's the land, then a 1,700-acre cattle ranch, was purchased by by a developer and subdivided for homes.