Corral de Tierra, The Pastures of Heaven
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads–Henry David Thoreau.
Corral de Tierra is a pastoral area of verdant meadows and remote canyons situated midway between Salinas and Monterey. It is notable for the innumerable California live oaks that flourish here. It is considered to be in the “sun belt” so that even if it is foggy and gray in nearby Salinas and Monterey, the sun is usually shining here. The area comprises many small communities including Serra Village, Toro Park Estates, San Benancio, The Villas, The Meadows, Markham Estates, Corral de Tierra Country Club, Laureles Grade, Chamisal, Vista Dorada, and Laguna Seca Estates, as well as myriad vineyards, farms and ranches. It is named for the Mexican rancheros who used a canyon in the upper valley during the 1700s to hold their cattle. Corral de Tierra literally means “fence of earth”.
Corral de Tierra’s transformation from a vast wilderness to a settlement begins with a love story. In 1836, Governor Nicolas Gutierrez granted over four thousand acres in the area to Francisco Figueroa in exchange for the hand of his daughter Guadalupe. I picture the story unfolding with Guadalupe, leaning out of the window of a beautiful Spanish style home. She is wearing an exquisite lace dress, has beautiful flowing black hair, and is holding a crimson rose that the dark and handsome Nicolas has given her just before he rides off into the sunset on a meticulously groomed stallion. We will never truly know how this love story played out. Following the Mexican-American War, California was ceded to the United States and homesteads began to spring up as a series of new owners bought and sold land here.
Growth was slow in the area until the 1950s, when the Corral de Tierra Country Club was built. In the 1960s, the Chamisal Country Club was established. There were originally two schools in the area: Washington Elementary School at mid-valley was established in 1873 and is still going strong today. Lincoln School, built in 1887, was located at the intersection of Underwood and Corral de Tierra, but no longer exists. San Benancio Middle School is a newer school located at the corner of San Benancio and Hwy 68. There are two churches in the area: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Cypress Community Church. The clubs, schools, and churches here provide a sense of connection and an avenue for social events within the community.
John Steinbeck, the famous author, often stayed with his maternal aunt in Corral de Tierra. She lived on a farm near the present day Markham Ranch. Steinbeck was not only a prolific writer, but also an avid reader, and loved the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. He enjoyed exploring the rugged sandstone bluffs of Castle Rock in Corral de Tierra, near his aunt’s farm, and imagined the area as the citadel of Camelot. While the public cannot access Castle Rock, located within Markham Ranch, it is clearly visible from Corral de Tierra Road.
Steinbeck’s experiences in Corral de Tierra were the catalyst for a collection of stories presented in his novel “The Pastures of Heaven.” In this novel, a Spanish Corporal discovers the area while chasing runaway Native American slaves that have abandoned their work building a Catholic mission. When he arrives at a ridge and sees a breathtaking view of the fertile valley below, he is smitten and christens the valley “Las Pasturas del Cielo” or “The Pastures of Heaven.” From that time on, he plans on returning to the beautiful valley, but his hopes are never realized. Steinbeck’s work was based on a real Spanish Corporal who did, in fact, discover the area in 1776 while pursuing Rumsen Indians who had escaped from the San Carlos Mission in Carmel.
Fun activities in Corral de Tierra include biking, hiking, swimming, golfing, tennis, horseback riding, and birdwatching. It is also a great place for astronomers: with a clear night sky far away from city lights, nearly every constellation is visible. Corral de Tierra is also a popular area for plein air artists. Plein air began in France in the 1890s as a movement seeking to create art in outdoor settings in natural light and weather conditions.
What I love most about living in Corral de Tierra is the peacefulness and the sense of community. There is a genuine and authentic calmness and simplicity here. Neighbors are like family. I adore mine and am eternally grateful for them. No matter what happens in life, or where I end up, I will always thank my lucky stars for the beautiful and amazing experience I’ve had in the Pastures of Heaven.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
