Alfalfa: Anacapa Island

Alfalfa: Anacapa Island Alfalfa was planted on Anacapa Island by Ezekiel Elliott (1833-1912) and his brother, Joseph V. (1860-1943). They bought the rights to Anacapa Island from the Pacific Wool Growing Company, which signed a quit-claim deed in 1882. The Elliots ran sheep on the island, and also planted grains and fruits.

In the News~

May 6, 1888 [SBMP]: “Yesterday morning the sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived from Anacapa Island with E. Elliott, the owner of the island, and F. N. Dancaster, who had been over there on a short pleasure trip... Mr. Elliott also brought over a sample of some alfalfa, 40 acres of which is in full bloom on the island.”

May 11, 1888 [LAT]: “Yesterday morning the sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived from Anacapa Island with E. Elliott, the owner of the island, and F. N. Dancaster, who had been over there on a short pleasure trip… The party brought back with them many different varieties of rare flowers and ferns, some abalones, a large number of sea gull eggs, and many other knick-knacks too numerous to mention. Mr. Elliott also brought over a sample of some alfalfa, 40 acres of which is in full bloom on the island...”