Friendly Hills (Whittier, California)

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Simon Jones Murphy was a wealthy Michigan lumber businessman who was swept up in the great real estate boom of 1887 while vacationing in the area. Today, the mention of "Murphy Ranch" signifies an elementary school and a little league organization in the city. A former Murphy packing house sits on Whittier Boulevard and is now the King Richards Antique Center.

Along with another associate, Simon Murphy purchased the Ramirez Rancho and quickly prepared the land to be subdivided. When the land boom went bust, only Murphy was sufficiently wealthy to survive the land deal. Citrus crops were next considered to turn a profit on the property, but irrigation was a challenge. Murphy convinced Arthur L. Reed, a chief engineer back in Michigan, to come out west. By 1891, redwood flumes, conduits, a pumping station and a reservoir was constructed to successfully deliver water to the ranch, as well as the rest of the Whittier colony. With water available, Murphy could sell off some of the land to new settlers. He formed the East Whittier Land & Water Co. with himself serving as president. He also formed the Murphy Oil Company which led to the successful drilling of about 50 oil wells. Murphy died in 1905, and his son Simon J. Murphy, Jr. lead the business activities until his death in 1926.

The Murphy Ranch was sold off in 1954 and developed in Friendly Hills.

www.friendlyhills.org
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