RANCHO SAN PEDRO REFERENCE COLLECTION,
1902-2004
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Allan Goldman
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collections
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu/
©2006
Descriptive Summary
Title: Rancho San Pedro Reference Collection
Dates: 1905-2004
Collection Number: Consult repository.
Collector:
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Extent:
2 boxes
(1 linear foot)
Repository: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives and Special Collections
Archives & Special Collection
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3013
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu/
Abstract:
This collection includes correspondence, brochures, newsclippings, papers, and copies of historical documents related to the
Rancho San Pedro. Subjects include the Dominguez Adobe and Claretian Seminary, families descended from the Dominguez sisters,
companies owned by these descendants, and the history of the Rancho San Pedro.
Language: Collection material is in English
Administration Information
Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Title of item], Rancho San Pedro Reference Collection, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University
Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills
Acquisition Information
Many items can be traced to Robert C. Gillingham, the author of The Rancho San Pedro. Other materials were donated through
the years by faculty members and off-campus sources.
Processing Information
The collection was first processed in the fall of 1997 and was opened to research without restrictions. In 2005, the collection
was reassessed, with materials added and rearranged into a better working organization. During this process, photographs were
removed to the Rancho San Pedro Collection. Materials that were clearly used by Gillingham to write the "Stories of Rancho
San Pedro” series and The Rancho San Pedro were separated into the Robert C. Gillingham Working Papers Collection; some of
his research materials are still scattered throughout this collection.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Early Los Angeles/Rancho San Pedro Manuscript Cataloging Project, a CSU Dominguez
Hills Library project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project started in 2005.
Project Director was Greg Williams. Project Archivists were Thomas Philo and Jennifer Allan Goldman.
History
Originally encompassing over 75,000 acres the Rancho San Pedro was granted to Juan Jose Dominguez by the King of Spain in
1784. Juan Jose had served as a Spanish soldier in California and received the land following his retirement. Juan Jose built
one of the first adobes in the region and lived there for varying periods until his death in 1809. The Rancho San Pedro was
then willed to Jose Cristobal Dominguez (a nephew) who in turn willed it to his sons. One of the sons, Manuel, eventually
took sole ownership of the property. Manuel built a new adobe structure where he lived with his wife (Maria Engracia) and
their children. He was also very involved in local politics and served as mayor of Los Angeles on three separate occasions
as well as becoming one of the first county supervisors and delegate to the first constitutional convention of California
in 1849. When California became a state in 1849 Manuel was responsible for proving the legality of the original land grant
thus ensuring his ownership. A United States land patent was granted to him for the Rancho lands in 1858. The area covered
by the patent ran from Redondo Beach in the west, to Compton in the east and the harbor in the south. Manuel used the land
to graze cattle and raise crops. His brand, a lemon shaped mark, became a highly recognizable symbol on the ears of his cattle.
In 1882 Manuel Dominguez died and left his estate, including the remainder of the Rancho lands, to his six daughters.
Five of the daughters married, three to Anglos, and went on to create corporations which would administer their holding. These
corporations, The Dominguez Estate Company, the Carson Estate Company, the Watson Estate Company, the Francis Estate Company
and the Del Amo Estate Company oversaw the daughters’ interests in the land. By 1930, when oil was discovered on Rancho land,
most of the agrarian activities associated with the Rancho had ceased. It is estimated that the 350 oil wells developed on
the land produced over $1 million year of income for a period of over 20 years. Today only two of the original estate companies
survive, the Carson Estate Company and The Watson Land Company, but much of the of the heritage of the original owners of
the Rancho and their descendants can be found as both local street and city names in communities which were part of the original
Spanish land grant.
The original adobe structure built by Juan Jose Dominguez was replaced by a more permanent structure built by Manuel Dominguez.
This more modern adobe served as the main family residence for many years. In the 1920's the Del Amo family gave the property
to the Claretian order and built a structure to be used as a seminary. The Adobe continued to be used as a residence of the
Dominguez family until 1924. In 1945 the Adobe became an official California State Landmark (No. 152). In 1976, to commemorate
its 150th anniversary, the adobe underwent a complete restoration and again was recognized by being placed on the National
Register of Historic Landmarks. Today the Adobe is open to the public tours. The seminary building is now used by the Claretians
as a retirement retreat.
Scope and Content
The Rancho San Pedro Reference Collection consists of documents, maps, and newspaper clippings which document the history
of the Rancho lands. Also included are copies of Dominguez family papers, including legal documents.
Arrangement
Arranged in five series:
- Series I. General History (1905-1990)
- Series II. Legal Documents and Maps (1919)
- Series III. Dominguez Adobe (1941-2004)
- Series IV. Dominguez Family (1906-1987)
- Series V. Dominguez Companies (1955-1995)
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Rancho San Pedro (Calif.)
Dominguez Hills (Calif.)
Personal Names
Carson, John Victor
Corporate Names
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
Titles
Reminiscences of the Dominguez Ranch and the Carson Family: An Oral History
Related Material
Related Collections
Del Amo Nurseries Collection
Del Amo Estate Collection
Dominguez Water Corporation Collection
Robert C. Gillingham Working Papers Collection
Rancho San Pedro Collection
Watson Land Company Collection
Secondary Sources
All of these publications can be found in the CSUDH Special Collections Library. Call numbers are at the end of the citation.
Carson, John Victor.
Reminiscences of the Dominguez Ranch and the Carson Family. [F860.C3 C37]
Crawford, C.M.
A Short History of the Dominguez Family. [SPCOL F868.L8 C87 1955]
Dominguez Water Corporation.
Dominguez Water Corporation: Yesterday and Today. [SPCOL F868.L8 D63]
Gillingham, Robert C.
A History of the Development of the Dominguez Homesite. [SPCOL F868.L8 G48]
Gillingham, Robert C.
The Rancho San Pedro. [F868.L8 G5]
Grenier, Judson.
California Legacy: The Watson Family. [F860.W37 G75 1987]
Hatfield, D.D.
Dominguez Air Meet. [TL721.6 D65 H37]
General History
1905-1990
Physical Description: 12 folders
Scope and Content Note
This series contains material regarding the history of the Rancho and has been divided into three subseries.
Papers
1910-1984
Physical Description: 5 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains historic papers written about the Rancho San Pedro, including student papers on the Nigger Slough, a copy of William
Mulholland’s report on the Rancho’s water supply system, and a paper on the battles of Dominguez Hill.
Box 1, Folder 1
Chronology and history of chief events
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 2
"Preliminary Report on the Installation of a Water Supply System for the San Pedro Rancho," William Mulholland
1910
Box 1, Folder 3
"Battle of Dominguez Ranch I and II"
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 4
"Research Resource Materials on the Origins of "Nigger Slough" in the Dominguez Family Papers," Bonita Miramontes
1977
Box 1, Folder 5
"History of Nigger Slough", Susan Hikida
1984
Publications
1955-1990
Physical Description: 3 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains published pieces about the Rancho San Pedro, including an oral history by John Victor Carson and Judson Grenier and
a history distributed by the Dominguez Water Company.
Box 1, Folder 6
"The Storied Past of the Rancho San Pedro," C.M. Crawford, distributed by the Dominguez Water Company
1955
Box 1, Folder 7
"Black Gold Suburbs: The Influence of the Extractive Industry on the Suburbanization of Los Angeles, 1890-1930," Fred Viehe
1981
Box 1, Folder 8
"Early Dominguez Families and Settlement of the Rancho San Pedro", booklet, William M. Mason.
1990
Miscellaneous
1905-1985
Physical Description: 4 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains newsclippings, land development proposals, a calendar with many historic photographs, a land-use proposal, a program
from a symposium related to the Rancho San Pedro, and a lesson plan for 3rd grade classes learning the history of Carson.
Box 1, Folder 10
Ocean View Cemetery Co. Proposal
1906
Box 1, Folder 11
Rancho San Pedro Historical Calendar
1985
Box 1, Folder 12
Symposium program: "Hispanic Roots of California and the Southwest
1976
Box 3
Carson Community History binder contents - lesson plans for 3rd grade
1998
Box 4
Houghton, William L., Justice of the Peace; case book, with index
circa 1870s
Legal Documents and Maps
1919
Physical Description: 18 folders
Scope and Content Note
This series contains generally undated copies of legal documents and maps showing the partition of the Rancho San Pedro lands.
Included are copies of the 1858 land patent, brand registration and transcripts of court proceedings between Manuel Dominguez
and the United States government. Other legal documents include deeds of right-of-way on rancho land and challenges to the
ownership of parts of the Rancho San Pedro. Maps detailing early Spanish pueblos, the location of Spanish ranchos, and the
partition of the rancho lands are also included.
Box 1, Folder 13
Manuel Dominguez v. U.S., Case #398, translation of 1805 grant
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 14
Petition, Original Land Grant, 1852, typed copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 15
Brand Registration for Manuel Dominguez, 1854, copy with negative
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 16
Transcript of Proceedings, Nasario Dominguez v. US, case #480, circa 1854, typed copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 17
Manuel Dominguez v. U.S., Case #398; Decree of Confirmation, 1857, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 18
Land Patent, 1858, copy with negative
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 19
Deed of Right-of-Way Manuel Dominguez to Phineas Banning and the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad Company, 1869, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 20
Deed of Right-of-Way Manuel Dominguez to the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad Company, 1869, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 21
Partition of the Estate of Manuel and Maria Engracia Dominguez/Lands Allotted to Maria Dolores Simona Dominguez de Watson:
Case 3284, L.A. County Superior Court, 1885, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 22
Description for Taxation - Maria Dolores Dominguez de Watson, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 23
Abstract title to Salt Flat, Inner Bay, Rattlesnake Island and Deadman's Island, 1891, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 24
Map of Indian villages on Rancho San Pedro, with negative and key
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 25
Maps of original grant of Rancho San Pedro based on maps in National Archives, with negatives
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 26
Map of "The Old Spanish and Mexican Ranchos of Los Angeles County"
1919
Box 1, Folder 27
Map of Spanish pueblos in the Southwest and Northern Mexico
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 28
Map of 1884 partition of Rancho San Pedro, 1884, copy and negative
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 29
Map of subdivision of part of Rancho San Pedro, 1870, copy
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 30
Map of township 3, South Range 13, showing RSP boundaries, copy
n.d.
Dominguez Adobe
1941-2004
Physical Description: 15 folders
Scope and Content Note
This series includes materials related specifically to the Dominguez Adobe, the homestead built by Manuel Dominguez and used
by various branches of the Dominguez Family and the Claretian Order before becoming a museum and cultural center. The materials
have been divided into seven subseries.
History
1954-2004
Physical Description: 2 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains newsclippings and a paper on the homesite by Robert Gillingham
Box 1, Folder 31
Newsclippings from local publications
1954-1994, 2004
Box 1, Folder 32
"History of the Development of the Dominguez Ranch Homesite", R.C. Gillingham
1974
Claretian Order
1941-1996
Physical Description: 2 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains newsclippings about the Claretian Order and the Dominguez Seminary, as well as brochures and pamphlets from and about
the Order.
Box 1, Folder 33
Brochures and pamphlets
n.d.
Sesquicentennial
1974-1976
Physical Description: 1 folder
Scope and Content Note
Contains news releases and programs from the celebration of the adobe’s 150th anniversary.
Box 2, Folder 1
News releases and program
1974-1976
Bicentennial
1983-1984
Physical Description: 5 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains news releases, newsclippings, invitations, and programs for the 200th anniversary of the adobe. The bicentennial
event included the participation of Hollywood celebrities Lorne Greene and Ricardo Montalban. Also included is a first-day
postcard and press about the US Postal Service stamp depicting the Dominguez Adobe and an article by Judson Grenier in the
LA Education Network newsletter about the bicentennial.
Box 2, Folder 2
Correspondence and planning materials
1983
Box 2, Folder 5
Postal stamp and card of Dominguez Adobe, first day issue and New York Times column
1984
Box 2, Folder 6
Event invitations and programs
1984
Box 2, Folder 7
LA Education Network newsletter, article by Grenier
1984
Museum
1975-2005
Physical Description: 4 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contains newsclippings and news releases, programs, and invitations directly related to the Dominguez Adobe as museum. Informational
pamphlets were used as museum guides.
Box 2, Folder 8
Informational pamphlets
1975, 1984
Box 2, Folder 9
Airmeet Room opening
1977
Box 2, Folder 10
Grand re-opening and flyers
2004-2005
Events
1966-1978
Physical Description: 1 folder
Scope and Content Note
Materials regarding events held at the Adobe are contained in this subseries. Included are invitations to the annual fiesta
and other events.
Box 2, Folder 11
Annual fiesta and other events
1966-1978
Dominguez Family
1906-1987
Physical Description: 34 folders
Scope and Content Note
This series contains materials regarding the Dominguez family from Juan Jose through the daughters of Manuel Dominguez. It
has been separated into six subseries.
History
1965-1985
Physical Description: 2 folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes newsclippings on the Dominguez family in general and a piece about the family in honor of the sesquicentennial.
Box 2, Folder 12
Articles and newsclippings
1965-1985
Box 2, Folder 13
"A Tribute to the Dominguez Family for the 150th Anniversary of the Building of Their Home and Almost 200 Years on the Rancho
San Pedro 1826-1976" by Evelyn M. Stanford
1976
Carson
1906-1981
Physical Description: 4 folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes Judson Grenier’s oral history interview with John Victor Carson, newsclippings, and a photocopy of a railway pass.
Box 2, Folder 14
Carson, George: L.A. Terminal Railway Pass, 1899, copy
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 15
Carson, John Victor: "Reminiscences of the Dominguez Ranch and the Carson Family: An Oral History," Judson Grenier, 1st and
2nd eds.
1976, 1981
Box 2, Folder 16
Carson, George Earl birthday press release
1991
Del Amo
1900-1976
Physical Description: 7 folders
Scope and Content Note
Contained in the subseries are tax records, audits, correspondence, newsclippings, and a paper on the Del Amo Family.
Box 2, Folder 19
Del Amo, Dr. Gregorio, Correspondence
1900, 1914
Box 2, Folder 20
Tax receipt, Redondo Beach
1900
Box 2, Folder 22
Home, Westchester Place, copy
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 23
Susana and Gregorio, Obituaries
1931, 1941
Dominguez
1906, 1984
Physical Description: 14 folders
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains information regarding the Juan Jose, Jose Cristobal, Manuel and his wife Maria Engracia, and Guadalupe,
Manuel’s only unmarried daughter. Materials include copies of the wills of the family members and term papers on Manuel.
Box 2, Folder 25
Cattle brands of Nasario, Pedro, Maria Engracia, Guadalupe, and Dolores
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 26
Guadalupe: Cancelled check
1906
Box 2, Folder 27
Guadalupe: Correspondence, 1897, copy
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 28
Guadalupe: Declaration of Trust, 1910, copy
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 29
Jose Cristobal - "The Children of Jose Cristobal"
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 30
Jose Cristobal - will, transcript copy, 1825
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 31
Juan Jose - will, transcript copy, 1827
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 32
Manuel - "Factors in the Survival of Manuel Dominguez," Anthony Armendariz
1984
Box 2, Folder 33
Manuel - Untitled term paper on the life of Manuel Dominguez
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 34
Manuel - Interrogatory, transcript
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 35
Manuel - will, transcript, 1882
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 36
Manuel - land holdings, sales, and partitions
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 37
Maria Engracia: Letter of Administration of Will, 1883, copy
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 38
Maria de los Reyes Ybanez - will, transcript, 1834
n.d.
Francis
1933-1934
Physical Description: 3 folders
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains correspondence, an Internal Revenue Service petition and a copy of Maria Jesus de los Reyes Dominguez
de Francis’ obituaries.
Box 2, Folder 39
Correspondence, 1909-1913, copies
n.d.
Watson
1924-1988
Physical Description: 4 folders
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains correspondence, newsclippings, and obituaries of Watson family members, including Lavena Watson Brown
and Susan Watson Lacayo.
Box 2, Folder 42
Brown, Lavena correspondence
1926-1927
Box 2, Folder 43
Lacayo, Susan correspondence and auction catalog
1941, 1988
Box 2, Folder 44
Maria Dolores obituary
1924
Dominguez Companies
1955-1995
Physical Description: 3 folders
Scope and Content Note
This series covers two of the many companies the Dominguez families founded and maintained: the Dominguez Water Corporation
and the Dominguez Estate Company. Materials include newsclippings, brochures, and newsletters.
Box 2, Folder 46
Dominguez Water Corporation - brochures and newsclippings
1955, 1984
Box 2, Folder 47
Dominguez Estate Company - brochures and newsclippings
1959, 1963, 1967
