For a number of years surrounding the start of the 20th century, southern Santa Barbara County was one of the most important walnut-producing regions in the United States. By 1910, the walnut crop was bringing almost $300,000 into local coffers.
Although the Spanish introduced the walnut into Alta California, it did not become a crop of much importance until the 1840s, first in the San Diego and then the Los Angeles areas. Russel Heath was the first to plant a commercial walnut orchard in Santa Barbara County — on his Carpinteria Valley ranch in the early 1860s.
Heath came to California during the Gold Rush, eventually making his way to Santa Barbara. With his background in law, he was appointed Santa Barbara County District Attorney in 1853, then became County Sheriff. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1858, the same year he bought his Carpinteria ranch.