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About Century Ranch
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About Century Ranch . . .Century Ranch is a community interest development (CID) that was developed by Dr. Rolf Peters, and his Century Ranch International, Inc. (CRI) company in the mid-1960s. The development is located six miles from the community of Stonyford, California (see the article titled “About Stonyford”), and abuts the 2,000 acre lake-like East Park Reservoir and its 40 miles of shoreline. The original plans called for 1200 lots that ranged in size from one-third acre to more than one acre. Of these, only 1036 were actually plotted. This upscale recreational subdivision was planned around a nine-hole golf course and clubhouse, tennis courts and a swimming pool, a riding stable and bridle paths, and a runway for small aircraft. Unfortunately, the tennis courts and swimming pool were never built; the golf course, though mostly finished, was never opened; the riding stable was abandoned and recently sold; the bridle paths still exists, but have reverted back to their original state. The runway was constructed on land that has reverted back to its original owner. The original plans also called for an infrastructure of roads, drainage ditches, and a potable water system. These were constructed and are still operational. Century Ranch presently comprises about five hundred acres and thirteen miles of roads and cul-de-sacs. The water system, which is now managed as a Colusa County Service Area, consists of three wells, a pumping station, two large storage tanks, and many miles of water main that reach all of the 1036 lots. Century Ranch had its heydays between 1965 and 1973. The riding stable and golf clubhouse were operational and people came up from Sacramento and the Bay Area for weekends of fun and games. Then, there was direct lake-front access with a boat dock and swimming areas. Many people no doubt enjoyed the good fishing, water skiing, boating, and swimming that current visitors still enjoy today. Only today, access is only available using either the Lodoga or Stonyford entrances. The Lodoga end is three miles from Century Ranch. Then, like humpty-dumpty, "it all came tumbling down!" Local talk says that the federal government closed down the direct lake-front access and attendant boat dock and that state and country governments mandated water filtration and waste-water treatment plants be constructed before any more lots could be sold. The CRI did not have the resources to comply and chose bankruptcy instead. Residents who had built homes in Century Ranch banded together to save the water and roadway resources—hence the area has survived and today still provides a pleasant place to live. Over the years several real-estate developers have tried to restart development, but all attempts have met with failure. The prime reason is a shortage of water and too many individual septic systems. As a result, the California Department of Water Resources has placed a moratorium on building until more water can be located. In 1999, Colusa County assumed management responsibilities from the Century Ranch Water Company, Inc. This was done to become eligible for a grant-in-aid that relieved a then-serious water-shortage situation. The purpose of the grant was to try and find additional water; however, none was found. Colusa County still has finding more water as a goal, and they are actively searching for grant money. Only last year, enough money was found to construct a water treatment facility so that residents could continue using water from Stony Creek to supplement the ranch’s three wells. So, hope exists that more water will be found and more lots opened to development. To see what Century Ranch looks like today, click on the Photographs link. |