During the Spanish and Mexican rule of California, governors encouraged settlement by establishing large land grants, many of which later became ranchos devoted to raising cattle and sheep. In the late 1800s and 1900s, Orange County's economy was largely based on ranching and agriculture, an important part of its history that contributed to the county's prosperity. This site was once part of Rancho Mission Viejo, where more than 125 years ago the landowner Richard O'Neill managed an extensive agricultural operation said to be one of the greatest of all California ranchos.