History
The Legacy of Peter Joseph Mullins (1947–2022)
The Mendocino Ranch, aka The Mendocino Stone Zone, was started in 2002 by our late founder, Peter Joseph Mullins.
When Peter Mullins first bought his retirement home in Gualala, California, it was a simple one bedroom cabin on 5 acres in the woods. But as a big man with big dreams, that simply would not do! Today the Stone Ranch expands to 50 acres and sleeps 25+ in 3 different areas around the estate. The property showcases his life long collections of tile, brick and stone and displays the results of his daily work; clearing brush and trimming trees. He did this to create a more fire safe environment ..with the added benefit of making room for more stones! The Stone Ranch of today is a magical retreat in a manicured forest of native plants and trees, where pebble lined paths lead through a lifted canopy of trees to feats of masterful masonry. Rocks shoot up from the earth around every corner. It is a delight of discovery for people of all ages. This was Peters greatest hope; to share the joy , excitement and enchantment he felt walking through his “stone zone”.
On the Mendocino Stone Ranch property you will find Peter’s hand picked collections. There are fossilized mudstone, that date back millions of years, which he gathered from a beach front family property in Aptos, CA. You will also find the rounded red remnants from a defunct tile and brick factory on Catalina Island. Peter was captivated when he first saw the ocean tumbled brick and tile rolling in the tide line, splashing the beach with color. He brought 5 gallon buckets every time he visited after that, and ferried home with his buckets full. He was mesmerized by what he gathered and kept them with him, moving from city home to city home, LA to San Francisco; and finally to their present spot at the Mendocino Stone Ranch where they could be spread throughout the land.
Peter traveled the country to pursue other collections as well. As you walk through the Stone Ranch, you are walking through decades of Peter’s explorations. He enjoyed finding stone in quarries, and tiles from the makers. He liked the hard-scape appeal of the crushed brick out of Southern California and the mica quartzite schist from the Mojave. Peter would meet artists and stone yards he wanted to support and continued to do so, filling his home and property. He relished in the business of connecting with people the product they supplied.
Peter enjoyed art, brick, tile, and rocks all his life, but it wasn’t until he saw an article on Dan Snow in the New York Times with a picture of his beautiful dry stone wall, that the spark for dry stack masonry was lit. Peter was fascinated and wanted more. He soon found a well respected mason, George Gonzales, out of Bolinas, CA who led him to a world wide group of stone people called The Stone Foundation. Peter eagerly joined. There, under the leadership of Tomas Lipps, a yearly symposium of masons would teach, present, and construct legacy projects in each place they gathered. Peter went to every event . Though he was not a mason, he was a self identified “groupie” and rock lover who had the means, the Gradall, and the property to provide space and move stone for his new friends to create.
A Life Shaped by Stone and Community
Peter Mullins was not a mason, sculptor, or builder in the traditional sense. He did not dedicate his life to shaping or physically manipulating stone, yet he was profoundly captivated by it. He admired its history, its potential, and especially the people drawn to work with it. That admiration transformed into a lifelong support for the craft and the vibrant community that surrounded it.
His journey into the world of stone began in earnest twenty years ago when he attended the Stonework Symposium 2003 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That third annual gathering of The Stone Foundation — a budding organization of stone artisans, builders, and enthusiasts — awakened something within Peter. Though naturally reserved, he found a sense of belonging among this “tribe of like-minded oddballs.”
Since that first gathering, Peter became a recurring presence at the Symposium, attending nearly every year. He was not just an attendee — he became an integral part of the energy and purpose behind the events, extending his support and passion beyond the gatherings themselves.
The Irish Tower and Other Wonders
Among the most remarkable undertakings at Stone Ranch was the construction of the Irish Watchtower — an ambitious, imaginative structure that captured Peter’s vision. Built by an international crew of artisans, it featured dimensional stone walls, a conical roof, red brick floors, and a timeless air. Peter never hesitated to support such ambitious work, even when the costs grew higher than anticipated.
To him, it was worth every dollar.
Peter would often be seen piloting his Gradall forklift, moving pallets and boulders across the property. He had an uncanny eye for placement, an intuitive grasp of what the land and the stone wanted. His dedication to precision and vision never wavered, and yet he gave freedom to the artisans who worked with him — trusting their choices, embracing surprises, and welcoming the unexpected.
A Final Resting Place Among the Stone
Peter Mullins passed away in August 2022, peacefully, in his sleep. The news shook the community he had helped build. Just a few months later, in January, the usual winter build sessions in Gualala became a tribute to him. Friends and colleagues came together to build a stone cocoon in his honor — a stunning, dome-like chamber reminiscent of an ancient sepulcher.
It was built with reverence, care, and the same passion Peter had always fostered. At its center, the floor was laid with red brick dust, a material Peter was especially fond of. When completed, his ashes were placed within it.
Peter is gone, but his legacy — the Stone Zone and the Stone Ranch — lives on.
