The Oyharzabal family played a major role in San Juan Capistrano and the Los Rios District through farming, business, and later generosity that helped preserve local historic properties. In 1878, Domingo Oyharzabal became the first of the family to arrive in San Juan Capistrano after leaving France, traveling to Chile, and then coming to California. While living in Inyo County, he developed an interest in sheep farming and brought it to Orange County, which he believed was the most perfect place in the state. He began acquiring land and within a few years amassed more than 4,000 acres, where he planted walnuts and oranges, raised cattle and other livestock, and kept a herd of 25,000 sheep. He also opened the French Hotel to house other French Basque workers; the building, constructed in the Monterey style, is the best example of that type of architecture in Orange County. Next to the hotel stood the Domingo Yorba Adobe, now on the National Register of Historic Places, where the Oyharzabal family has lived since the 1880s. Esteban Oyharzabal, Domingo's nephew, joined his uncle in San Juan Capistrano and managed the family property. Esteban's wife Eugenie and their daughters, Carmen and Marie Theresa, continued the family business into the 21st century. Eugenie sold nursery property, including half of River Street, to the Ito family. Carmen, with her brother-in-law Tom Rodriguez, gave property to the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society that houses four historic structures: the Silvas Adobe, Leck House, Stanfield abode, and the Garcia/Pryor house, home to the O'Neill museum. The family's vision and generosity made it possible to preserve these places.