Dominguez Rancho Adobe
Encyclopedia
The Dominguez Rancho Adobe is California Historical Landmark Number 152, and in 1976 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
The adobe
of Manuel Dominguez
, on the Mexican land grant of Rancho San Pedro
, was completed in 1826. The home features 2 foot (0.6096 m) walls, heavy timbers and a flat, tarred roof. Much of the furniture is original to the Dominguez family.
The Friends of Rancho San Pedro operate the adobe ranch home as the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum. The Friends provide guided tours of the house, as well as host many educational programs about ranch life and early California history. The museum's address is 18127 South Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, California
.
The Rancho San Pedro is the site of the First Spanish land grant in California. The land was granted in 1784 by King Carlos III to Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier who came to California with the Portola expedition and later with Father Juniperro Serra. This grant encompassed 75,000 acres and included the entire Los Angeles harbor. Due to a lack of heirs, the land was then passed to Cristobal Dominguez, a nephew of Juan Jose. Cristobal’s son, Manuel Dominguez, would succeed him in taking control of the land upon his father’s death. It was under Manuel’s guidance that the Rancho as it is seen today was constructed in 1826.
During this time Manuel was also focused on acquiring a United States land patent, which would solidify ownership of the Rancho under United States’ law. The patent was granted and signed by President James Buchanan on December 18, 1858, more than 7 years after it was first requested and nearly 75 years after the original land grant. This was the first U.S. land patent granted in California. However, throughout the years of political turmoil in California, prolonged court battles over ownership of the Rancho, numerous surveys of the land, and the sale of some parcels, the United States land patent stated that the Rancho now encompassed 25,000 acres, far fewer than the 75,000 acres included in the original land grant.
Manuel Dominguez was a business-savvy young man who could speak both Spanish and English as a result of successful trade. He was also the only one of his siblings who could read and write. At the age of 29, he was elected as Mayor of Los Angeles. Manuel later became one of 47 delegates in California to sign the State Constitution. Not long thereafter, President James Buchanan signed the very first land patent granted in California to Manuel Dominguez, solidifying the grounds in use by the museum today
.
During the Mexican-American war in 1846, the Battle of Dominguez Rancho or Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun was occurred on the eastern side of Dominguez Hill, its location being a factor in the temporary defeat of American troops by a band of Spanish Californians. This altercation took place between October 8-9th near the home of Manuel Dominguez, with the Rancho buildings being occupied overnight by Captain Mervine and his marines.
Upon Manuel’s death in 1882, and the passing of his wife one year later, the Rancho lands were partitioned among his six surviving children, all daughters. Three of the married daughters continued the Dominguez legacy through the Carson, Del Amo and Watson families
By the time the railroad came into the lives of the Dominguez family, in 1869, the family already had a lucrative cattle business. In fact, the cattle were slaughtered in the fields on the spot. When the railroad was built running through Rancho lands that practice came to a halt. Manuel donated 100 feet, about 77 acres, to the railroad.
In 1902, the Pacific Electric Railway was set to cut through Dominguez and Watson land. In the agreement, the Dominguez family requested there be a Dominguez Junction at Alameda Street. This is where Union Pacific freight trains still run to this day. Teams of men, horses, and mules built the railway at a rapid pace. On July 4th, 1902 the railway officially opened. The Pacific Electric Railway would pass by the Dominguez Junction every hour, and thereby increased the value of the rancho lands.
As a passenger train, people were able to frequent the rancho more easily and more often. The Dominguez family became known for their large family barbeques, which were made possible by the advent of the locomotive. However, the trains definitely had their downsides. Raising livestock and agriculture was made more difficult, and people throughout the area complained through Robert Watson to reach the Pacific Electric Railway Company. Ultimately, however, the railroad was beneficial to the Dominguez heritage, as Carson was able to ship over 70,000 pounds of wool at a time
The Rancho has a collection of antique large-scale model trains located in their carriage house as well.
In 1910, Dominguez Hill served as the site of the first national aviation meet in the United States. It is estimated that over a half-million passengers travelled by train to see this historic event. An open grandstand was erected that was more than six hundred feet in length. Use of the field was provided without rental charge by the Dominguez family, though the family asked to have front row seats for the entire event. Many of the early aviation pioneers were present, including the Wright brothers, Curtiss, Martin, Paulhan, and Willard. Roy Knabenshue flew in one of the very first blimps. The aviation meet lasted for 10 days, establishing the first speed and endurance records. It also resulted in the casualties of several up-and-coming pilots.
Manuel and his family were also very devout Catholics. All of the daughters made major donations to the construction of St. Vibiana’s, the former Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. In 1922, the two remaining daughters, Susana Del Amo and Reyes Dominguez, deeded seventeen acres adjacent to the family home to the Claretian Missionaries. In 1924, the Claretian Missionaries began using the adobe home as a graduate school for Claretians and later as a seminary. In recognition of this contribution to the Claretians, special arrangements were made to allow Susana and Gregorio Del Amo to be buried in a crypt beneath the altar of the chapel located in the modern day Claretian retirement home.
In 1967 the stockholders of the Dominguez Estate Company voted to sell off a large portion of the land. The sale was the largest in southern Californian history. The state of California purchased a portion of the land, and in 1965 the Board of Trustees of the California State Colleges voted to build a new campus on the west side of Dominguez Hill, which became California State University Dominguez Hills.
Without the foresight and leadership of Juan Jose, Cristobal and Manuel Dominguez, the Rancho San Pedro may not have survived to the modern day. Many of the Spanish land grants in California were sold to settlers, abandoned, or lost entirely due to costly court battles to defend ownership of the property. Recently, the Dominguez family has been host to the King and Queen of Spain, the Governors of California, and other dignitaries at events held throughout the Rancho lands.
The land has passed through successive generations and remains in the Dominguez family. Today, the descendants operate the Watson Land Company and the Carson Estates Company on the original Rancho land. Throughout his life, Manuel resisted selling the land, preferring instead to lease parcels and retain ownership. This strategy was followed by his children, which allowed for a substantial portion of the land grant to be held by family members today. This includes the museum which showcases the adobe home of Manuel Dominguez.
The adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
of Manuel Dominguez
Manuel Dominguez
Manuel Dominguez , born at the Mission San Juan Capistrano in Alta California, Viceroyalty of New Spain, and was the heir to the vast Rancho San Pedro land grant.-Juan Jose Dominguez:...
, on the Mexican land grant of Rancho San Pedro
Rancho San Pedro
Rancho San Pedro was one of the first California land grants, and the first to win a patent from the United States. The land grant was validated by the Mexican government at in 1828, and a US patent validating was issued in 1858...
, was completed in 1826. The home features 2 foot (0.6096 m) walls, heavy timbers and a flat, tarred roof. Much of the furniture is original to the Dominguez family.
The Friends of Rancho San Pedro operate the adobe ranch home as the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum. The Friends provide guided tours of the house, as well as host many educational programs about ranch life and early California history. The museum's address is 18127 South Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, California
East Compton, California
East Rancho Dominguez, also known as East Compton, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in southern Los Angeles County, California. The population was 15,135 at the 2010 census, up from 9,286 at the 2000 census...
.
History
The Rancho San Pedro is the site of the First Spanish land grant in California. The land was granted in 1784 by King Carlos III to Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier who came to California with the Portola expedition and later with Father Juniperro Serra. This grant encompassed 75,000 acres and included the entire Los Angeles harbor. Due to a lack of heirs, the land was then passed to Cristobal Dominguez, a nephew of Juan Jose. Cristobal’s son, Manuel Dominguez, would succeed him in taking control of the land upon his father’s death. It was under Manuel’s guidance that the Rancho as it is seen today was constructed in 1826.
During this time Manuel was also focused on acquiring a United States land patent, which would solidify ownership of the Rancho under United States’ law. The patent was granted and signed by President James Buchanan on December 18, 1858, more than 7 years after it was first requested and nearly 75 years after the original land grant. This was the first U.S. land patent granted in California. However, throughout the years of political turmoil in California, prolonged court battles over ownership of the Rancho, numerous surveys of the land, and the sale of some parcels, the United States land patent stated that the Rancho now encompassed 25,000 acres, far fewer than the 75,000 acres included in the original land grant.
Manuel Dominguez was a business-savvy young man who could speak both Spanish and English as a result of successful trade. He was also the only one of his siblings who could read and write. At the age of 29, he was elected as Mayor of Los Angeles. Manuel later became one of 47 delegates in California to sign the State Constitution. Not long thereafter, President James Buchanan signed the very first land patent granted in California to Manuel Dominguez, solidifying the grounds in use by the museum today
.
Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun
During the Mexican-American war in 1846, the Battle of Dominguez Rancho or Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun was occurred on the eastern side of Dominguez Hill, its location being a factor in the temporary defeat of American troops by a band of Spanish Californians. This altercation took place between October 8-9th near the home of Manuel Dominguez, with the Rancho buildings being occupied overnight by Captain Mervine and his marines.
Daughters Inherit the Rancho
Upon Manuel’s death in 1882, and the passing of his wife one year later, the Rancho lands were partitioned among his six surviving children, all daughters. Three of the married daughters continued the Dominguez legacy through the Carson, Del Amo and Watson families
Pacific Electric Railway
By the time the railroad came into the lives of the Dominguez family, in 1869, the family already had a lucrative cattle business. In fact, the cattle were slaughtered in the fields on the spot. When the railroad was built running through Rancho lands that practice came to a halt. Manuel donated 100 feet, about 77 acres, to the railroad.
In 1902, the Pacific Electric Railway was set to cut through Dominguez and Watson land. In the agreement, the Dominguez family requested there be a Dominguez Junction at Alameda Street. This is where Union Pacific freight trains still run to this day. Teams of men, horses, and mules built the railway at a rapid pace. On July 4th, 1902 the railway officially opened. The Pacific Electric Railway would pass by the Dominguez Junction every hour, and thereby increased the value of the rancho lands.
As a passenger train, people were able to frequent the rancho more easily and more often. The Dominguez family became known for their large family barbeques, which were made possible by the advent of the locomotive. However, the trains definitely had their downsides. Raising livestock and agriculture was made more difficult, and people throughout the area complained through Robert Watson to reach the Pacific Electric Railway Company. Ultimately, however, the railroad was beneficial to the Dominguez heritage, as Carson was able to ship over 70,000 pounds of wool at a time
The Rancho has a collection of antique large-scale model trains located in their carriage house as well.
1910 Air Meet at Dominguez Field
In 1910, Dominguez Hill served as the site of the first national aviation meet in the United States. It is estimated that over a half-million passengers travelled by train to see this historic event. An open grandstand was erected that was more than six hundred feet in length. Use of the field was provided without rental charge by the Dominguez family, though the family asked to have front row seats for the entire event. Many of the early aviation pioneers were present, including the Wright brothers, Curtiss, Martin, Paulhan, and Willard. Roy Knabenshue flew in one of the very first blimps. The aviation meet lasted for 10 days, establishing the first speed and endurance records. It also resulted in the casualties of several up-and-coming pilots.
The Claretians
Manuel and his family were also very devout Catholics. All of the daughters made major donations to the construction of St. Vibiana’s, the former Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. In 1922, the two remaining daughters, Susana Del Amo and Reyes Dominguez, deeded seventeen acres adjacent to the family home to the Claretian Missionaries. In 1924, the Claretian Missionaries began using the adobe home as a graduate school for Claretians and later as a seminary. In recognition of this contribution to the Claretians, special arrangements were made to allow Susana and Gregorio Del Amo to be buried in a crypt beneath the altar of the chapel located in the modern day Claretian retirement home.
The Modern Dominguez Rancho
In 1967 the stockholders of the Dominguez Estate Company voted to sell off a large portion of the land. The sale was the largest in southern Californian history. The state of California purchased a portion of the land, and in 1965 the Board of Trustees of the California State Colleges voted to build a new campus on the west side of Dominguez Hill, which became California State University Dominguez Hills.
Without the foresight and leadership of Juan Jose, Cristobal and Manuel Dominguez, the Rancho San Pedro may not have survived to the modern day. Many of the Spanish land grants in California were sold to settlers, abandoned, or lost entirely due to costly court battles to defend ownership of the property. Recently, the Dominguez family has been host to the King and Queen of Spain, the Governors of California, and other dignitaries at events held throughout the Rancho lands.
The land has passed through successive generations and remains in the Dominguez family. Today, the descendants operate the Watson Land Company and the Carson Estates Company on the original Rancho land. Throughout his life, Manuel resisted selling the land, preferring instead to lease parcels and retain ownership. This strategy was followed by his children, which allowed for a substantial portion of the land grant to be held by family members today. This includes the museum which showcases the adobe home of Manuel Dominguez.
See also
- Battle of Dominguez RanchoBattle of Dominguez RanchoThe Battle of Dominguez Rancho or The Battle of the Old Woman's Gun was a military engagement of the Mexican-American War...
- Dominguez Hills (mountain range)Dominguez Hills (mountain range)The Dominguez Hills are a low mountain range in the Transverse Ranges, in southern Los Angeles County, California.They are between the Baldwin Hills and Palos Verdes Peninsula.-See also:*California State University, Dominguez Hills*Manuel Dominguez...
- California State University, Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University, Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills is a public university located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County and was founded in 1960...
- Rancho Dominguez, CaliforniaRancho Dominguez, CaliforniaRancho Dominguez is a former settlement, now an unincorporated community, in Los Angeles County, California. It was located near East Rancho Dominguez. Rancho Dominguez is located between Long Beach, California and Carson, California....
- Ranchos of CaliforniaRanchos of CaliforniaThe Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...