Frequently Asked Questions

This is a sampling of the kinds of questions that are asked about the Hathaway Ranch Museum and/or the Hathaway Family.

Index of Frequently Asked Questions
Go-to 1: How can I get involved with the Hathaway Ranch Museum?
Go-to 2: When was the big ranch house built?
Go-to 3: What happened to the automated cattle feed-lot operation?
Go-to 4: What is the history of the Hathaway (Oil) Company?
Go-to 5: Can the Hathaway Ranch Museum accommodate special groups and tours?

1. How can I get involved with the Hathaway Ranch Museum?

The Hathaway Ranch Museum is always appreciative of and looking for docents and volunteers for help in the gardens and for archival, cleaning, restoration, and office work. If interested in working with the Hathaway Ranch Museum, and to learn more about becoming involved, please call the museum office at (562) 777-3444 (and leave a message if there is no answer), or email us at

2. When was the big ranch house built?

The main residence was under construction during the March, 1933, Long Beach earthquake, but it was not materially damaged. However, additional reinforcing was incorporated into the second floor construction after noting the widespread damage suffered by many structures in nearby towns, such as in Artesia. Construction was completed in 1933, and this building remains an impressive example of Spanish-Moorish architecture. Its basic construction is of concrete and steel, with wooden overlays covering steel rafters and lath and plaster covering sturdy interior steel constructions. The Ranch House was originally the residence of Jesse and Lola Hathaway, founders of the Hathaway Ranch, and later their son, Richard, and his wife, Nadine Hathaway, founders of the Hathaway Ranch Museum. The Ranch House is no longer in use as a residence since the passing of Nadine Hathaway in November of 2002. Currently the ranch house is used by the Hathaway Ranch Museum for meetings and social gatherings, with the upstairs area used for storing and administrating the paper and photographic archives, storage of delicate items such as period costumes, etc., and for additional non-public access office space as may be needed.

3. What Happened to the automated cattle feed-lot operation?

The automated cattle feed lot operation began to be phased out during the late 1940s, in large part due to complaints by the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District wanting to limit dust and air-borne particulate matter raised by the feed grinding and blending operations. Air quality concerns began to emerge circa 1943 for the Los Angeles basin, and so efforts were begun to eliminate all obvious industrial sources of air contamination, dust from the cattle operation being one of them. Then, beginning circa 1952, there was a great influx of new residents flooding into the area, and in 1957 the City of Santa Fe Springs was incorporated. Complaints regarding the dust and odor from the cattle operation increased dramatically and so the last vestiges of the Santa Fe Springs cattle operation were terminated.

4. What is the history of the Hathaway (Oil) Company?

The Hathaway Company was incorporated in 1932, with Jesse Hathaway being the first president. Elwood and Julian (the oldest and youngest of the three brothers) were both vice presidents, while Richard, the middle brother, was the secretary-treasurer. Once Jesse Hathaway stepped aside, Elwood Hathaway became president of the company. In 1971 the Hathaway Company merged with Pyramid Oil Company, a small public company, with the idea that the Hathaway Company could possibly benefit from being a public company. However, in 1985 the Southern California assets were spun off into a new Hathaway Company, which was presided over by Julian I. Hathaway and Richard F. Hathaway. In April of 1986 Richard F. Hathaway passed away, leaving Julian I. Hathaway the last surviving brother. The company struggled on with the Southern California assets until 2000, when rapid depletion, rising operating costs and health issues forced the company to quit business and abandon and remediate any remaining well sites. Julian I. Hathaway passed away in November of 2000, and the Hathaway Company business affairs were wrapped up by his surviving family and the company officially dissolved in 2004.

5. Can the Hathaway Ranch Museum accommodate special groups and tours?

Yes. Special group tours and/or events can be scheduled by prior arrangement. To schedule an event or tour, please call the museum office at (562) 777-3444 (and leave a message if there is no answer) and be sure to mention the number of people you expect to be in attendance. Also, please let us know your area of interest when scheduling an event or tour.