''Established in 1882 by Veterans of the Mexican and Civil Wars as a Home for all Veterans west of the Rockies, its doors were opened on April 1, 1884 with the admission of thirteen members. It was operated as a non-profit corporation until 1900, when its 910 acres of land, 55 buildings, and successful agricultural enterprises were sold to the State of California for one twenty-dollar gold piece. The original wooden Victorian structures were replaced with reinforced concrete buildings in a boldly planned community between 1926 and 1957, during the 28 year administration of World War I hero, Nelson Miles Holderman. It has served Veterans of the Mexican War, Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.''