Domínguez Ranchhouse

Manuel Domínguez built the middle of this house in 1826, on ten square leagues granted to his family in 1784. Californio lancers under José Antonio Carrillo turned back Mervine's sailors on this ground in October 1846. Domínguez signed the state constitution three years later, having argued at the convention against barring people of Indigenous descent from voting because the rule would have disqualified him. In 1857 a San Francisco court put him off the witness stand when the other side objected to his Indian blood. He was a county supervisor that year.

What the plaque says

Domínguez Ranch House Central portion built in 1826 by Manuel Domínguez. Rancho San Pedro Ten square leagues granted, provisionally by Governor Fages to Juan José Domínguez in 1784. Regranted by Governor Sola to Cristóbal Domínguez in 1822. Battle of Domínguez Ranch Fought on this rancho October 8 & 9, 1846, when Californians led by José Antonio Carrillo repelled United States forces under Captain William Mervine, U.S. Navy, in an attempt to recapture the Pueblo of Los Angeles. United States Department of the Interior In the Bicentennial year of the Independence of this country, and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the building of his home by Manuel Domínguez, the Domínguez Ranch Adobe, because of its distinctive architecture and unique history as the homestead of the Rancho San Pedro, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service as provided for by Congress in the Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Approved in Washington D.C. on May 28, 1976. Plaque unveiled September 12, 1976, upon the completion of the restoration of the homestead.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Domínguez Rancho Adobe — steps away
  The first Spanish land grant in California contained the whole harbor, and in 1846 fifty Californio lancers turned back three hundred Marines on it.
• The Banning Museum — 5.8 mi
  The man who made a harbor out of an open bay: freight, dredging, the first railroad in Southern California, and a cupola for watching ships.
• Drum Barracks — 6.2 mi
  The Union Army built its Southern California headquarters in a county that had voted against Lincoln two to one, and stabled the Army camels here.
• Puvungna — 7.9 mi
  The Acjachemen and Tongva place of creation: twenty-two acres of open ground on a university campus, still not in the hands of its people.

More markers nearby

• Site of the Initial United States Air Meet — 1.1 mi
• Heritage House — 1.8 mi
• Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site — 2.3 mi
• Hay Tree — 3.5 mi