I was invited to visit and tour the Dominguez Rancho Adobe in anticipation of its 200th anniversary. The adobe was home to Manuel Dominguez, an important businessman and politician. Dominguez was one of the delegates that drafted and ratified the first California Constitution in 1849 and mayor of Los Angeles. I was given a tour by the wonderful and knowledgeable Connie Gaston.
Our tour began in one of the most important rooms in the home, la cocina (the kitchen). This is where the meals for the family, their workers and their families were prepared, although the cooking was done outside in the horno (oven). The kitchen table is set up with some examples of the types of products they would’ve eaten.
The 2nd room on our tour was the formal dining room, which illustrates how wealthy the family was, given the finery of the settings and the furniture in the room.
The 3rd room on our tour was the Map Room, which contains exhibits on the rancho and the land grant, the first California Constitution, as well as information on the Battle of the Old Woman’s Gun, which is a battle that was fought on the property during The Mexican American War.
The 4th room on our tour was the Ladies’ Parlor, which had items that the ladies of the house would use to entertain themselves, which included musical instruments and magazines of the latest fashion.
The 5th room on our tour was la sala (living room). This would’ve been the main front room where guests would arrive and also be entertained.
The 6th room on our tour was the bedroom of Manuel Dominguez and his wife Maria Engracia Cota. 9 of their 10 children were born in this room and on the bed found here; it was also where Manuel Dominguez passed away.
The 7th room on our tour was the family chapel. The Dominguez family were devout Catholics who would travel all the way to la plaza church or Mission San Gabriel every Sunday. As Manuel became older and the travel became more difficult, The Claretian Order (who managed the plaza church and Mission San Gabriel) petitioned The Vatican to have a chapel permitted on the property and it was granted.
The 8th room on our tour was the Del Amo Family Room, a room dedicated to Dominguez’s daughter Susana del Amo and her family. It’s modeled after a room found in the family’s home.
The 9th room on our tour was the Watson Room, a room dedicated to Dominguez’s daughter Dolores and her family. It’s modeled after a room found in the family’s home.
The 10th room on our tour was the Carson Room, a room dedicated to Dominguez’s daughter Maria Victoria and her family. It’s modeled after a room found in the family’s home.
The 11th room on our tour is dedicated to the 1910 Los Angeles International Air Meet, an event that was held on the rancho’s property.
The 12th and final room on our tour is dedicated to pioneers of aviation and to Father Pat, a Claretian priest, who is responsible for the preservation of the property and founding the museum.
