Our class paid a visit to the Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe, located in our very town. This house was built on a large land grant, that was given to the Castro family. And, the family ran cattle on the acreage, which included the land fronting Sunset Beach. The Castro family participated in the hide and tallow trade that was a crucial part of early California's economy. Jose Joaquin Castro was a six year-old member of the Anza Expedition in 1775. The house itself, was constructed in 1848, by Jose Joaquin's son, Juan Jose. Ranger Ritchie guided us on a tour of the property near the house. Students made small adobe bricks, and with the help of our class volunteers, used the restored cocina to make some tortillas.
The house was severely damaged in the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and the process of restoration has been lengthy. The Castro adobe is rare, because it has a second storey. The top floor was a fandango room, where guests could visit and make use of the dance floor. Our class could only visit the great room on the main floor, since the retrofitting isn't quite complete. But, I plan to go back and visit on one of the living history days held at the park...
Currently, I'm reading a book that discusses the settling of the southwestern part of the United States by Spain. It is interesting to draw conclusions from Ranger Ritchie's presentation for the students, and from Colin Woodard's interesting book. Spain's ties to America were brief and tenuous, but they definitely left a mark. The Mexican connection seems even stronger.
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