An Industrial Oasis – Touring the Dominguez Rancho Adobe

 Sometimes you can find pieces of the past in the most random places. I suppose that’s just the nature of history. What was farmland in one era is a city in another. What was rural is now urban. And what was once ranch land is now an industrial area – home to plants, refineries, and shipyards.Or at least that’s the case for the Dominguez Rancho Adobe– a museum in the heart of one of the most industrial locations in Southern California.

Over 200 years ago Juan Jose Dominguez obtained the first Spanish land grant in California. The land he chose was 75,000 acres encompassing parts of modern day Carson, San Pedro, Long Beach, and the entire Los Angeles harbor. A priceless commodity nowadays, the ranch land was parceled off over the coming centuries (although the Dominguez descendants still own some portions of the original land). The adobe rancho itself remained in the families care until the 1920’s when it and the surrounding land was donated the Claretian order of the Catholic Church. A seminary was built and the adobe was incorporated into the campus. Eventually, the seminary became a home for retired priests and one enterprising father moved to have the adobe turned into a museum. From that the Dominquez Rancho Adobe was formed. (For more historical information visit this site.)

This lovely museum is truly an oasis. When I got off the freeway I was sure I was in the wrong area as it was nothing but industry. I drove and drove and drove down Alameda Street seeing only freight tracks to my left and factories to my right. Then suddenly appeared some greenery, many trees, and a sign directing me to enter a driveway. I drove up a short hill and came upon the lovely building above.

As it was a weekday afternoon my companion and I were the only visitors so we received a private tour of the building and grounds. Our personable guide gave us a comprehensive history of the rancho, the Dominguez family, and local historic events. What we learned was fascinating. And what we saw was quite lovely.

But don’t think I’m going to share what I learned. You’re just going to have to go and find out for yourself. But here’s one tidbit…
This sycamore is the oldest living part of the property. Just look at it, there’s history in those leaves.

Oh, and the price for all this. Absolutely nothing.

Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum 
18127 S. Alameda Street
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90020
open Wed, Sat, Sun and first Thurs. and Fri of the month
tours at 1, 2, and 3pm
admission is free!

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