Pío de Jesus Pico is one of California’s most remarkable historical figures.  He witnessed, shaped and influenced nearly a century of California history in the 1800’s. Pío Pico was the governor of California in 1832 and again in 1846 before and during the Mexican-American War.  His adobe home at “El Ranchito” has been completely restored to how it appeared in the 1880’s letting visitors experience and celebrate his life and times.  Born at the San Gabriel mission in 1801, his ancestry included a mixture of Spanish, African, Indian and Italian, and he lived in a time when the Spanish, Mexican and American flags flew over California.  Former Governor Pico began to build his home here in about 1853, and it has seen several changes over the last 150 years.  The “little ranch” and adobe home at Pio Pico State Historic Park is now surrounded by the communities of Whittier and Pico Rivera east of Los Angeles. Much has changed since Pico’s time, but for local and state-wide history, Pío Pico State Historic Park is a shining gem and testament to life in early California. Volunteers keep this fascinating heritage alive by preserving and protecting it with learning opportunities and service projects.