Insight Weekly- Kim Wybenga - Dana Adobe - South County Chambers of Commerce

September 16, 2024

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK…

Wouldn’t it be phenomenal if WALLS really COULD TALK? For if they could, oh what stories they would tell as we eagerly listen. Today I had the immense pleasure and privilege of experiencing, through the eyes of a well-versed docent named Colleen Beck, a place fondly known on our gorgeous Central Coast as the DANA ADOBE AT HISTORIC RANCHO NIPOMO. This iconic Adobe ranch museum is located at 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo, Ca., proudly sits on a picturesque rural landscape adjacent to hills covered in wildflowers. Within moments of the tour, my eyes witnessed a variety of extraordinary gardens, beautiful country scenery and a home that appeared to be straight out of an old western movie, no doubt holding hidden memories of some of our earliest California settlers and their families.

If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the voice of Captain William Goodwin Dana and his wife Maria Josefa Carillo Dana calling out to their 13 children as they all worked, played, explored, and lived a simple and yet bountiful life at the Rancho Nipomo home. As we all know, WALLS CANNOT TALK to us audibly, but if they could, we would hear how this unique adobe brick home came to be a cherished historical site on our lush Central Coast. As the records would indicate, in 1837 the wealthy sea Captain acquired this sprawling 48,000 + acres of land, that borders parts of Santa Barbara County all the way up through parcels of San Luis Obispo, as a reward for his loyalty toward the Mexican people. Then California Mexican Governor Juan Alvarado granted the Rancho Nipomo to Captain Dana, simply as a token of appreciation for caring for the Mexican people throughout his life journey.

Originally the land of the Chumash, the Rancho Nipomo acreage soon became a blessing for generations of people living throughout the South-Central Coast. The construction of the Dana Adobe home and its outer dwellings began in1837. What made this type of ranch home so unique? It is made with all natural materials provided by the land itself! The adobe bricks were made from just a few key ingredients: clay rich soil, straw, water, and sand. Then the bricks were set aside to dry for up to 3 months. When fully dried they were strategically placed on a layer of rock to create a firm foundation. How sturdy was this adobe-built home? Nearly Two hundred years later, portions of the original ADOBE WALLS continue to uphold the roof of the Dana ranch home.

During the construction phases the Dana family made every effort to employ the indigenous people to help build the adobe home and its outer structures. In this way, not only did the projects help keep the Chumash people living on their land, but it also created a means of support for the families working on the Rancho and for generations to come. The Dana home was built between 1837 -1850. Up until that time the ranch experienced ongoing structural changes for almost 30 years. One could say, as the needs of the family and community grew, so did the adobe home and its multiple outer buildings. To date the Dana Adobe home has been historically foot noted as one of the first authentic adobe-built homes in San Luis Obispo County.

Over the 30 years of matrimony Captain Dana, his lovely wife Maria and their family hosted several key figures, even giving whole battalions a place to rest their weary heads as they journeyed throughout California. The family’s hospitality, driven by their faith-based values, made the Dana Adobe Ranch an incredibly special place to visit in the early 1800’s and it continues to be a gem that we so dearly cherish today. I learned so much as I toured this extraordinary Dana Adobe home with museum docent Collen and Executive Director June Aiello. One interesting fact: In 1847 the Dana Ranch was one of only 5 designated postal exchanges for the U. S. mail route and was the first official postal destination between Monterey and Los Angelos. WOW! Not only do these adobe walls hold intriguing stories that we are still uncovering today, but the correspondence and packages that came through this historical postal site most certainly changed lives.

The Dana Adobe at Historic Rancho Nipomo is a true treasure in our community and its rich history needs to be preserved for years to come. Captain Dana, his wife Maria, and their children are not here to share their stories and their WALLS cannot talk, but WE can thank President Jim Corridan, his dedicated staff and many volunteers for keeping this valuable historical site alive and well for generations to come. For more information on ways to give/support and participate as a museum visitor please go to www.danadobe.org