The Bancroft Ranch House was constructed by Augustus S Ensworth, Justice of the Peace, in approximately 1856, out of timbers salvaged from a ship wreck in San Diego Bay. When he died, the adobe ranch house was purchased by Rufus King Porter, son of the founder of Scientific American, who gave Spring Valley its name. [...]
Hubert Howe Bancroft
Hubert Howe Bancroft was an eminent historian and publisher. A self made millionaire, Bancroft's The Book Of Wealth has been confined to the wealthiest and most powerful of families. Whenever any volumes of this rare book come up for auction, there is fierce bidding with each single hard copy volume selling for thousands of dollars.
