Once upon a time, Morada was home to Pollardville ghost town and chicken kitchen family restaurant.

But that roadside attraction is long gone. Yet this off-the-beaten-path area northeast of Stockton still makes for a nice afternoon drive.

For starters, there are plenty of upscale homes ranging in price from $600,000 to $2.5 million.

If you don’t believe me, take a drive along the tree-lined streets and acres of orchards that make for a great canopy during this time of the season.

There are hardly any sidewalks here – if any – but rather driveways in some of the homes that extend a good distance from the street.

Where else but Morada can you meander through one of the quiet side streets only to be rewarded by a jaw-dropping multi-million dollar estate?

Shippee Lane in the heart of Morada is as good place to start any driving tour especially on a relaxing fall weekend afternoon. For starters, there’s very little traffic not to mention a few side streets worth checking out.

It’s also named after for Lodowick U. Shippee, who was the founder of the area.

This rancher, merchant, financier, and horse breeder came to Stockton in the mid-1850s, going from New York to San Francisco via old steamers.

As one of the founders of the Bank of Stockton, he purchased this parcel of land known as “Shippee Tract” to help bring the first State Fair of California to Stockton.

In addition, Shippee founded the Stockton Gravel Company and headed the Stockton Combined Harvest Agriculture Works.

The Shippee Home Ranch Park is located in the heart of Morada.

Today, Morada is home to over 3,800 residents, according to 2010 U.S. Census, encompassing 2,988 square miles. This community is bordered by Highway 99 to the west, East Foppiano Lane to the north, Eight Mile Road to the north, and East Ashley Lane to the west.

Shippee Lane connects to East Hildreth Lane. From here, travel in either direction. Going west will take you back to the Frontage Road.

On this route, you’ll again see some upscale real estate along the tree-lined streets. On the Frontage Road going north towards East Morada Lane are a few cottages hidden behind the canopy of trees.

 Along East Morada Lane are a few stately homes on nicely manicured front lawns surrounded by evergreens.

From East Morada Lane, take Alhambra Avenue in either direction. It hooks you up to East Ashley Road. Travel east on Ashley for about three miles of orchard past the Waterloo Morada Fire District, crossing Cherokee Road, and eventually ending at Waterloo Road.

Head back towards Highway 99 but with a quick stop at the Wonderful World of Windmills.

This roadside oddity was founded by the late Frank Medina, who, for over 20 years, had over 100 windmills on his ranch at 6553 E. Waterloo Road (donation is about $5).

Those still remaining in the Medina family collection are a few full-scale windmills and big spinning sunflowers.

On a side note, Medina’s windmills may not have made Ripley’s Believe it or Not but he did at age 96 as the “oldest man in the world with all his teeth who has never had a cavity.”



— VINCE REMBULAT
209 staff reporter