History

The CASA de DANA, or "Dana Adobe," began in 1839 and was completed much as it appears today in about 1851. It is the most historically significant remaining residence on the Central California Coast. Its architect and builder, Captain William G Dana of Boston, played an important role in the histories of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, and through his influence and contacts, in the history of the State of California, both before and after statehood. In addition, Dana was one of those few and famous Yankee Sea Captains who traded with the "Californios," and through his trade in the triangle from China, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and California, interested the United States in expanding to the West and annexing California. Thus, this is a home of national significance as well. La Casa de Dana , located beside the old Camino Real which bisected the 38,000 acre Rancho Nipomo, for many years provided a stopping place for travelers along this main north-south artery.

Captain John C. Fremont was a guest at the Rancho on his march south to the conquest of Los Angeles in 1846. and Capt. W. H. Halleck, who later became Abraham Lincoln's Chief of Staff, was a personal friend of Dana's and a frequent visitor. Letters preserved in collections at Bancroft Library, the Huntington Library, and numerous other institutions document Dana's correspondence with most of the leading figures during one of the most critical eras in California's history. The adobe's significance, however, lies not only in its associations with historic figures, but with events that took place there as well.

After the end of the war with Mexico and before California became a state, William G. Dana's home was designated by order of General Kearney as one of only four official exchange points along the state's first American mail route. In 1849 it became one of the two polling places in what became San Luis Obispo County where votes were cast on delegates to the first convention on statehood, and from the 1850's to the 1890's all stage coaches traveling north and south along this inland route stopped at the Rancho's adobe barn (whose foundations can still be seen near the house) to change horses.

In addition to its historic significance, the Dana Adobe has a cultural value which becomes increasingly relevant as the demographics of modern California change. Captain Dana's wife, Maria Josefa Carrillo was the daughter of Carlos Carrillo of Santa Barbara, one-time governor of California under Mexico, and also the niece of the general, Jose Castro, who commanded California troops against the American takeover of California in 1846 and '47. The thirteen children born to the couple who lived to adulthood were raised in the traditions, religion and language of Mexican California, but were educated in their father's native language, values and customs as well. They also learned the language of the Indians who were employed on the rancho and some of their customs. As with the house itself, which architecturally blends features of the California adobe with those of the New England frame house, life at Casa de Dana was a blend of Hispanic and American and even Chumash cultures.

External links

• Office of Historical Preservation

See also

• List of California Historical Landmarks

California Historic Landmark #1033

NO. 1033 RANCHO NIPOMO (Cpt. William G. Dana Rancho) - Rancho Nipomo, almost 38,000 acres in size, was granted to Boston sea captain William Goodwin Dana, in 1837. For many years Rancho Nipomo was the first stopping place on El Camino Real south of Mission San Luis Obispo. From 1839 until Dana’s death in 1858, the Rancho was known throughout the state as a hospitable stopping place for travelers, including Captain [John C. Fremont], Edwin Bryant, and General Henry W. Halleck. In 1847 the “Dana Ranch” became one of four designated exchange points on California’s first U.S. mail route. Location: 6715 Oakglen Avenue, Nipomo, CA