The Story of Green Hill Ranch
Built in 1906, Green Hill Ranch has been part of the story of Newcastle for more than a century.
What began as a family vacation home and working property became part of a community shaped by families, orchards, agriculture, and the changing landscape of the Newcastle foothills. Through the decades, the home, cottages, gardens, outbuildings, and gathering spaces witnessed generations of life on the ranch and the evolution of the town around it.
In 2019, Kathleen came to Green Hill Ranch and purchased the property, beginning a new chapter in its long story. Rather than erase what came before, she saw the value in preserving the character, history, and feeling of the place while allowing it to evolve for a new generation.
Today, the history of Green Hill Ranch lives in the details. Original features and historic furnishings have been thoughtfully preserved throughout the property—from the billiards room and outbuildings to the gardens, orchard, pool house, and welcoming front porch—while modern comforts have been woven naturally into the experience.
It is a place where the past isn't simply remembered. It is still part of everyday life.
Discover the Stories Behind the Ranch
There is much more to the story than we can fit on one page. Explore the history of the families who lived here, the evolution of Green Hill Ranch, and more than a century of its part in Newcastle history.
[Learn More About the Families & History →]
The Heart Behind Green Hill Ranch Today
Meet Kathleen Zaro
When Kathleen first walked onto Green Hill Ranch, she didn't see a property to renovate.
She saw a place worth protecting.
She knew Green Hill Ranch already held decades of memories for countless families and hoped future guests would continue adding their own.
Rather than changing the character of the ranch, Kathleen thoughtfully restored it—honoring its history while carefully adding the comforts that allow today's guests to settle in and truly feel at home.
One of her greatest passions has always been food.
Long before purchasing Green Hill Ranch, Kathleen studied holistic nutrition and dreamed of creating spaces where people could gather around a table, prepare nourishing meals together, and rediscover the simple joy of cooking.
That vision came to life in the ranch's teaching kitchen.
Whether ingredients come from the orchard just outside the window or from neighboring family farms, Kathleen believes good food has a way of bringing people together, creating conversations that linger long after the dishes have been cleared.
Guests often notice the little things first.
A basket of sunscreen by the pool.
Fresh flowers gathered from the garden.
A stack of extra blankets on a cool evening.
Serving bowls waiting for a family meal.
These thoughtful touches aren't part of a checklist.
They're simply an extension of Kathleen's belief that hospitality is found in the details.
Today, Green Hill Ranch continues to welcome families, friends, creatives, and communities looking for a place to slow down, reconnect, and make memories that feel a little more meaningful.