Some background history of Wagon Trail Ranch

Since moving to WTR in 1992, my husband and I have wondered about the history of the Ranch. We had been told that it had been a working cattle ranch at one time but no specific details were given. On May 5, 1998, Ruth Cliff, our ranch neighbor to the south of WTR graciously shared with me some interesting history. In the 1940's, a Frenchman named Regis de Maleissye purchased the ranch as a gift for his first wife while they were on their honeymoon 'out west'. Mr. de Maleissye was the wealthy grandson and an heir to the Colgate fortune. He owned a home in Paris and castles in Switzerland and in North Africa, where he had served as a member of the French Camel Corps. Mr.de Maleissye lived on the ranch for 30 years raising horses and cattle and acquiring two additional marriages. One wife was a San Francisco debutante and the other was a Wellesley graduate. During his residence here, he kept a private zoo which included native animals as well as an African lion and a monkey named 'Tojo'. In the 1970's, Mr. de Maleissye sold the ranch to developers, moved to Canada, and finally returned to Paris where he died. He was a most colorful character.
Submitted by Gudne Smyth