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Historic Dominguez Rancho

The BEST remaining example of true Spanish-California haci-
enda architecture is at the Dominguez Rancho which, in
the original 1785 grant from Governor Fages to Don Juan
Jose Dominguez, extended from the San Pedro estuary half way
to Los Angeles. The property was kept in repair and partially
restored along the original lines in the long occupancy of the Do-
minguez succession. More recently the estate was conveyed to the
Claretian Missionaries, who are using the beautiful buildings as
a school.
It was on the Rancho at what is now Dominguez Junction
that the battle between American and California forces was fought
October 8, 1846. Lieutenant Archbald Gillespie had been left
with a force of fifty Americans to hold Los Angeles under military
occupation following the rai ing of the American flag here with-
out open opposition August 13, 1846, by Commodore Stockton
and Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont. Stringent police regulations
brought about a revolt led by General Jose Maria Flores who,
with other leaders, broke their paroles to again harass the Amer-
cans..
Gillespie, after being besieged, was permitted to retire armed
with hi force to San Pedro, where the Savannah, under command
of Captain Mervine had arrived. With reinforcement led by
Mervine, the Americans started back to retake Los Angele and
camped at the Dominguez ranch houses the night of October 7.
The Californians, mounted and equipped with the historic "Wom-
an's Gun," a small bra cannon, attacked the next morning and
drove the Americans back to the protection of the ship. In the
engagement six Americans were killed.