Canal Farm Inn, 1914

About Us

In 1850 German immigrant Henry Miller arrived in San Francisco with six dollars in his pocket. Forty years later he was the largest private landowner in the United States. Owning over one million acres in five states made Henry Miller one of the most powerful men in California.

This delightful inn is located on the site of the headquarters of that famous California pioneer and cattle baron. On this beautiful site Miller frequently met his division superintendents, ranch foremen and cattle bosses and gave them detailed instructions on how his vast empire was to be operated.

Here at Canal Farm Inn, Henry Miller laid farsighted plans for the development of better breeds of livestock, better feeding conditions and farming methods, and directed their execution in the minutest detail. The effectiveness of this planning was demonstrated in the terrible drought years of 1855-56, 1863-64, and 1889-99. For when the old Spanish ranchos lost their Mexican-bred cattle to starvation by the hundreds of thousands, Henry Miller's sturdier breeds of Durham, Hereford and Devon came through those trying periods with relatively minor losses.

Here, projects for development of colonies and towns, establishment of banks, stores and lumber yards to serve each community were conceived and carried to completion.

As might be implied from the name "Canal Farm," this was also the headquarters for the maintenance and operation of the first and one of the largest irrigation systems in the West. This irrigation system started in the late 1860’s and today provides water for more than 450,000 acres of fertile farmland.

Here at Canal Farm on May 1st of each year, Henry Miller held his famed May Day Picnics, providing a grand barbecue and spending the day meeting and visiting with his friends and guests. Now Merced County keeps Henry Miller's tradition alive with the Los Banos May Day Fair in late April through the first part of May each year at the Los Banos Fairgrounds. Picture of original May Day picnics are on display in the lobby of our restaurant.

The settlement, development and prosperity of the West was made possible by men of vision, men liked Henry Miller, who saw a future where others saw only desert. Their perseverance, optimism and ingenuity overcame nature's obstacles and brought a new life to this area. A special sincerity and authenticity, reflecting those qualities, is evident in all that they did. We are proud to carry on this tradition, and with our own roots entwined with those of this early heritage, we appreciate our past and have our won vision for a prosperous future.

In appreciation of the service rendered by Henry Miller to the State and County of his adoption, we dedicate Canal Farm Inn, “State Historical Landmark No. 548”, to his memory. We sincerely hope to emulate his superb qualities when serving the public.