Set against the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges and Pinnacles National Monument, Soledad’s history grew from the original Spanish Mission land grants of early California, with an agricultural base in cattle, wheat, and barley until Swiss and Swedish immigrants established dairy operations in the area in the 1890s. A series of works created from 1998 through 2003 presented that history, the area’s cultural diversity, the interdependence of plants and animals, a revered ancient Chinese three-toed warrior dragon shown through its life cycles, portraits of important world leaders alongside community figures such as firefighters, police, nurses, teachers, and children, Soledad’s role as a major contributor of agricultural products for America and the world, and the long history of winemaking from the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Spanish missionaries to the central coast.