Leo Carrillo was a true Californio. His Rancho de las Quiotes ( Ranch of the Spanish Daggers) in Carlsbad was his retreat and getaway. At its peak the Ranch had over 2.500 acres of chaparral, rolling hills near the Pacific Ocean and spring fed creeks on the property. He ran 650 head of cattle, had a remuda of 50 horses, as well as, pigs, chickens and peacocks.
Leo was cast in over 90 films between the mid 1920's and 1960. At 70 years of age, he and Duncan Renaldo starred in the 6 year run of the Cisco Kid. Leo was an experienced horseman always doing his own riding and stunts in the TV series.
As a boy I met Cisco and Pancho at a local appearance in my hometown of Royal Oak, Michigan. Little did I know I would end up working at his Ranch in Carlsbad, Ca., now a 27 acre historic park owned by the City of Carlsbad.
Leo was at home in jeans and boots with a slouch hat and on horseback. An example is his Ranch office was in the stable, next to the bunkhouse and within the smell of the horses.
With some imagination, on an early morning dawn - one can still see Leo riding up to the high point of his Ranch to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean and smell the land, his California, that he loved.
California I Love, by Leo Carrillo is a fine read...
Happy trails.
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