The adobe of Manuel Dominguez, on the Spanish land grant of Rancho San Pedro (re-validated under Mexican rule), was completed in 1826.

The Friends provide guided tours of the house, as well as host many educational programs about ranch life and early California history.

The museum's address is 18127 South Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, California,[3] an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, located between the cities of Compton, Long Beach and Carson.

[4] Manuel Dominguez was a business-savvy young man who could speak both Spanish and English as a result of successful trade.

Not long thereafter, President James Buchanan signed the first land patent granted in California to Manuel Dominguez, solidifying the grounds in use by the museum today.

This one-hour altercation took place on October 8 near the home of Manuel Dominguez, with the Rancho buildings being occupied from the previous night by Captain Mervine and his marines.

[4] Upon Manuel’s death in 1882, and the passing of his wife one year later, the Rancho lands were partitioned among his six surviving children, all daughters.

Raising livestock and agriculture was made more difficult, and people throughout the area complained through Robert Watson to reach the Pacific Electric Railway Company.

Ultimately, however, the railroad was beneficial to the Dominguez heritage, as Carson was able to ship over 70,000 pounds of wool at a time[5] The Rancho has a collection of antique large-scale model trains located in their carriage house as well.

In 1922, the two remaining daughters, Susana Del Amo and Reyes Dominguez, deeded seventeen acres adjacent to the family home to the Claretian Missionaries.

Without the foresight and leadership of Juan Jose, Cristobal and Manuel Dominguez, the Rancho San Pedro may not have survived to the modern day.

Many of the Spanish land grants in California were sold to settlers, abandoned, or lost entirely due to costly court battles to defend ownership of the property.

Recently, the Dominguez family has been host to the King and Queen of Spain, the Governors of California, and other dignitaries at events held throughout the Rancho lands.