The Ben Bacon Ranch: An Evolving Cultural Landscape at Pinnacles National Park, San Benito County, California.

The article focuses on the Ben Bacon Ranch Historic District within Pinnacles National Park in San Benito County, California, highlighting its significance as a cultural landscape shaped by 19th-century homesteading and ranching. The district, comprising over 350 acres of flat bottomlands in an otherwise rugged park, preserves historic structures and prairie oak savanna habitat, reflecting early agricultural practices. Since its acquisition by the National Park Service in 2006, efforts have centered on controlling invasive species like yellow star thistle through prescribed fire, herbicide, and experimental cattle grazing, alongside native prairie restoration. Cultural and natural resource managers have collaborated to align ecological restoration with historic preservation goals, while recent planning emphasizes enhancing visitor access and interpretation without compromising the landscape’s historic character. The ongoing integration of preservation, restoration, and visitor engagement exemplifies the evolving stewardship of this unique historic and natural resource.