What does it take to preserve a legacy for nearly two centuries?

In this episode of Silicon Valley Front Row, we visit the historic Jack Tone Ranch with Kathleen Tone Hammer, whose family has lived and worked this land since the California Gold Rush.

Founded in 1849, the ranch has remained in the same family for generations—making it one of the oldest continuously operating horse breeding ranches in the United States. From its origins supplying miners to becoming home to champion Arabian horses, the ranch carries a deep and enduring history.

Kathleen shares stories passed down through generations, from her great-grandfather’s journey during the Gold Rush to her family’s role in breeding some of the most celebrated horses in the country. Through changing times, economic challenges, and shifting landscapes, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to family, land, and tradition.

“Peace doesn’t come to nations—it comes through individuals’ hearts.”

More than just a ranch, this is a story about resilience, heritage, and the values that endure across generations.

Watch the full episode to explore the history, legacy, and future of Jack Tone Ranch.

What does a rare 18-month-old Arabian horse have to do with world peace? More than you'd think.

In this episode of Silicon Valley Front Row, we sit down with Ann Lesley Smith at the historic Jacktown Ranch — a 177-year-old California property that dates back to the Gold Rush — to meet Amir Fajr Salaam, the Prince of Peace.

Amir is a liver chestnut Arabian horse, one of the rarest colors in the breed, and a direct descendant of the legendary Fajr — a stallion whose bloodline traces back to Hollywood icons like The Black Stallion and King Mosabi, and whose lineage stretches 4,500 years to the Bedouin people of the Arabian desert.

But Ann's vision goes far beyond horse shows. She believes Amir carries an ancient message — rooted in the story of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael — that the Arab people are blessed, protected, and loved. And that the Arabian horse, revered across all tribes and nations, may be one of the most powerful symbols of peace in the world today.

In a time of global conflict and division, this episode is a reminder of what connects us all — and how far back those roots really go.

She owns a piece of Hollywood history — and the story behind it is extraordinary.

Philanthropist and ranch owner Ann Lesley Smith welcomes Silicon Valley Front Row to her estate in Escalon, California—where history, media, and Hollywood intersect.

At the entrance stands a remarkable artifact known as the “Hollywood Gate,” once part of the original entrance to 20th Century Fox. The hand-crafted European iron gate, decorated with intricate tulip designs symbolizing wealth and craftsmanship, once welcomed legendary stars like Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra.

But the story goes far beyond Hollywood.

In this conversation, Smith shares stories of media history, entrepreneurship, and the power of believing in a vision before others can see it.