Lore and Legend of Hacienda del Gato
at the Heart of Tradition Golf Club

Nestled in the heart of the Tradition Golf Club, among the stately stands of ancient palm, eucalyptus and mesquite, lies a stone and adobe treasure known as Hacienda del Gato. The first portion of the compound was constructed in 1902, less than thirty years from the completion of the Southern Pacific rail line linking Los Angeles and New Orleans. Other portions of the homestead where added in 1910 and 1920, with an additional cottage or maintenance shed completed in 1950. The original house was not laid out on cardinal directions (north-south/east-west) but carefully planned to lie on an axis, which would frame the largest visible peak of the Santa Rosas so it could be seen from the northwest side of the living room and directly down the main garden path.

The Tradition Golf Clubhouse was built in 1996, completing the unique and authentic hacienda pattern of the compound by further framing the view of the peak of the Santa Rosa Mountains from the inner courtyard.

History of the Ranch

It was in 1902 that John Marshall and his brother in law Albert Green homesteaded the 320 acres at the end of Washington Street and Avenue 52. After purchasing additional land in the area, Marshall invited his son Harry to leave Los Angeles to assist in land sales and the farming activities, now involving ownership in nearby Indio. After his father’s untimely death in 1938, Harry sold the ranch to William Rosecrans, a Los Angelian who made his fortune in oil and real estate ventures. Various owners expanded the Deglet Noor date stands on the north end of the ranch with complimentary citrus groves.

Rosecrans imported some of the most unique and historical specimen of palm and cacti found in the entire region to grace the grounds of the Hacienda. In fact, the grassless fan palm in the driveway island may be the oldest of its kind in the valley. It was transplanted by Rosecrans when it was already 35 year sold. Equal care was taken to assure the ornaments, wrought iron and tiles applied to the expanding home where unique and authentic ~~ light fixtures handcrafted from Seville, Spain, are still operable inside the structure today and the original Talevara tiles can be found throughout the dwelling.

It was while in the possession of the Rosecrans family that the charming Hacienda got its name: Legend has it that the little gray cat was responsible for saving the life of Mrs. Rosecrans from a big rattlesnake that was about to strike her just outside the kitchen door. According to Elizabeth Rosecrans, the cat lived for 20 years after that event and would be remembered with a special burial place on the property. Because of their love and affection for the cat, the ranch was named Hacienda del Gato. If asked today, owner David Chapman can site the burial spot of the beloved cat, just beyond the stonewall at the end of the former swimming pool, now grassed in front of the Eisenhower Cottage.

Visitors to Hacienda del Gato have included the notables of Hollywood and Washington Society; including extended visits by both Presidents Eisenhower and Jack Kennedy. Pictures of Rudolph Valentino astride horseback in front of the Hacienda still grace the entry hall today, joined now by photos of Arnold Palmer and friends, whose personal involvement and commitment to the community have created a Tradition second to none.