Henry Mayo Newhall came to California in search of gold in 1850. He failed. Instead, he established what would become San Francisco's leading auction house, began the first financially successful railroad in California, and made real estate investments that developed into one of California's leading farm and ranch empires. This biographical study of Newhall is also a cultural and economic history of the state of California, from the Gold Rush to oil boom to suburban development. The book includes the history of the Newhall Ranch and Farming Company under Newhall's five sons and later under the inspired leadership of Atholl McBean. The final chapters discuss the 100th anniversary of the company and how Henry Mayo Newhall's dreams have come full circle with the development of Valencia, a community near the old ranch and the original town of Newhall.