Date of Award

1976

Document Type

Thesis: Open Access

Degree Name

MA History

Department

History

Committee Chair

Raymond Brandes

Committee Co-Chair

Iris Wilson Engstrand

Committee Member

James R. Moriarty, III

Abstract

Cave Johnson Couts, Jr., fondly remembered as the Last of the Dons, was the oldest surviving son of Cave Johnson Couts, Sr., a San Diego County, California pioneer rancher.

After spending his childhood on the family estate, Rancho Guajome, the young Cave completed his education at a military academy in Tennessee and St. Vincent's Academy in Los Angeles, California. Utilizing his skills as an engineer, Couts lived for a year in Central America while assisting in the construction of a railroad line in Guatemala.

Upon his return to California, Couts married Elizabeth B. Clemens. A son, Cave Johnson Couts, III, was born to Cave and Lily within a year after their marriage. Couts gradually gained control of the family financial affairs and ultimately became sole owner of Rancho Guajome.

A prominent Southern California businessman, Cave became the owner of a gold mine in the Julian area while continuing his duties as a deputy county surveyor for San Diego County. Suffering from great financial hardships, Couts was able to retain control of Rancho Guajome and preserved the home on the ranch which had been built by his father in 1851.

A participant in many civic and business ventures in the San Diego area, Cave headed a committee to establish the Palomar Mountain State Park. He also participated in the negotiations which brought the Palomar Observatory to the mountain.

Dying in 1943, Cave Johnson Couts, Jr. made a significant contribution to the development of the San Diego area. He preserved Rancho Guajome which presently is a legacy to today's generation in the form of a San Diego County Park and historical landmark.

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