The Power Couple of South OC

Drive Moulton Parkway. Pass Nellie Gail Ranch. The names are familiar to anyone in South Orange County, but few know the story behind them.

Would you be surprised to learn that Mr. Lewis Moulton and Nellie Gail were married? In the late 1800s, Lewis Moulton arrived from Boston with little more than ambition.

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Visit the Moulton Museum 📍25256 Cabot Rd, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 💻https://moultonmuseum.org/ Visit the NEW Tiller House Hotel in Laguna Hi... See more

He started as a shepherd and worked his way up to become the “Sheep King,” eventually running Rancho Niguel, a 22,000-acre spread that covered what we now call Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo.

His wife, Nellie Gail, was an heiress with a passion for art and horses. While Lewis oversaw the ranching operation, Nellie painted the landscapes that surrounded them — plein air snapshots of South OC’s hills and coastlines a century before they were paved with cul-de-sacs.

Lewis and Nellie had two daughters, Charlotte and Louise, and even their names are etched into the South OC landscape.

Avenida de la Carlota in Laguna Hills and Calle de la Luisa in Laguna Woods quietly honor the Moulton sisters, keeping the family’s presence alive on the very streets built over their former ranch.

Two Ways to Step Into Their World

1. Moulton Museum
A permanent display showcases saddles, ranching tools, and photographs from the Moultons’ life on Rancho Niguel.

The art gallery pairs Nellie Gail’s century-old paintings with works by a contemporary artist revisiting the same scenes today, offering a striking “then-and-now” look at the OC landscape.

The museum also hosts rotating art exhibits and community events (wine is usually involved)

Pro tip: take the docent-led tour instead of just walking through. You’ll get all the tea on the family, the ranch, and the hidden details you might otherwise miss.

💻 Website

📍 25256 Cabot Rd, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

2. Tiller House Hotel 
Opened in September 2025, this boutique hotel brings history into the present.

Its coastal farmhouse design is dotted with murals of Lewis and Nellie Gail, plus artifacts borrowed from the museum.

The restaurant, The Grange, nods to ranch life with hearty comfort food, while the lobby bar offers one of the best deals in town: $5 happy hour wine.

💻 Website

📍 23061 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Why Go Now

The Moultons shaped the very land we live on. Today, you can admire Nellie’s brushstrokes at the museum, then sip a glass of wine where their ranch once stood.

Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or just craving a new happy hour spot, Laguna Hills is inviting you to check into history.

Learn more about the Moulton’s:

FAQs About the Moultons, Nellie Gail, and South OC History

1. Who were Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton?
Lewis Moulton was a rancher known as the “Sheep King” of Orange County, managing 22,000 acres of Rancho Niguel in the late 1800s. His wife, Nellie Gail Moulton, was an artist, philanthropist, and equestrian who helped preserve the legacy of the land.

2. What is the history of Rancho Niguel?
Rancho Niguel was a Mexican land grant given to Juan Avila in 1842. Later purchased by Lewis Moulton, it grew into a massive sheep ranch covering today’s Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, and parts of Mission Viejo.

3. Why is Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills named after Nellie Gail Moulton?
The master-planned community of Nellie Gail Ranch was named in honor of Nellie Gail Moulton, whose love of horses and art symbolized the ranching spirit of South Orange County.

4. What kind of artwork did Nellie Gail Moulton create?
Nellie Gail was a plein air painter who captured landscapes of Orange County and beyond. Many of her works are displayed at the Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills, alongside contemporary art inspired by the same locations.

5. What does Moulton Parkway have to do with the Moulton family?
Moulton Parkway is named after Lewis Moulton, who owned Rancho Niguel and influenced the development of South Orange County’s ranching industry. The road runs through much of the land that once belonged to the Moultons.

6. What is the connection between the Avila family and the Moultons?
Rancho Niguel was originally granted to Juan Avila before being purchased by Lewis Moulton in 1895. The Moultons expanded it into one of the largest sheep ranches in California.

7. What about the Acjachemen people and Rancho Niguel?
Long before Rancho Niguel became part of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton’s ranching empire, the land was home to the Acjachemen people (also known as the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians).

After Spanish colonization and the Mexican land grant system, Juan Avila received Rancho Niguel in 1842.

Decades later, Lewis Moulton purchased the land and expanded it into a sheep ranch. While the Moultons are often celebrated for shaping modern South Orange County, it’s also important to acknowledge that this history is layered and that the Acjachemen people were the original stewards of the land.

7. What can you see at the Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills?
Visitors can explore ranching artifacts, family photographs, saddles, and Nellie Gail’s artwork. The museum also hosts rotating art exhibits, cultural programs, and docent-led tours that bring Rancho Niguel’s history to life.

8. What is Nellie Gail Ranch real estate like today?
Nellie Gail Ranch is one of Laguna Hills’ most sought-after communities, known for its equestrian trails, large custom homes, and unique mix of rural charm with luxury real estate.

9. Are the Moultons still involved in South Orange County and agriculture today?
Yes. While the Moulton surname itself did not continue through Lewis and Nellie Gail’s daughters, their descendants, including great-grandson Jared Mathis, remain active in both local history and agriculture.

Jared serves as CEO of the Moulton Company and president of the Moulton Museum.

The family, now connected through names like Mathis, continues ranching, farming, and land conservation across California and Oregon through operations such as Moulton Farms, Mathis Ranches, and Bar M Cattle Company.

They also play a key role in preserving South Orange County’s heritage through the museum and community programs.

10. Why is the story of the Moultons important to South Orange County?
The Moultons transformed Rancho Niguel into a working ranch and left behind landmarks like Moulton Parkway, Nellie Gail Ranch, and a rich artistic legacy. Their story connects modern-day communities to South OC’s ranching roots.