A little over a year ago I featured a one-hour episode of California’s Gold in which Huell visited the beautiful Tejon Ranch in the Tehachapi Mountains. In this episode of California’s Gold, originally aired February 2010, we learn about the house built by ranch manager J.J. Lopez and follow its transformation from a sleepy little cottage to a museum showpiece. The exhibit includes furniture pieces which have been lovingly preserved and are now restored to their rightful place in the house, like an upright piano and J.J. Lopez’ writing desk.

J.J. Lopez, the longtime manager of the Tejon Ranch who helped shape Kern County’s history, built his Victorian-style home in Bakersfield in 1909. In the 1960s, the home was occupied by Arlin and Lavern Hill, who migrated from Oklahoma after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl. Now, this long-overlooked California landmark has finally been renovated and preserved thanks to local fundraising efforts. Huell meets the descendants of the Lopez and Hill families, who share their story of how their house was moved to its permanent location at the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)