Carlsbad Historical Society’s members and their guests are invited to
a tour of the historic 8,500 square ft. adobe Ranch House at Camp
Pendleton on Wednesday November 9th.  This hacienda was built on
Rancho Santa Margarita Y Las Flores, a huge land grant from the
Mexican Government early in the 19th century. The Rancho was purchased
by the US Government at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
in the early 1940′s to train US Marines for war.  The Ranch House
served as the home of the Commanding General of the Marine Base until
2007.  It is richly furnished in antiques from the Rancho Period, and
visitors learn about many famous visitors, including President
Roosevelt.  We are told we will see an interesting new exhibit in the
Ranch House.  The hour and a half tour usually includes the bunk house
with many tools and historic artifacts as well as a gift shop.We are asked to arrive at the Chapel near the Ranch House at 9:45 AM
Wed. Nov. 9th to start the tour at 10 AM.  This Chapel served as the
residence for the family of Pio Pico, the last Mexican Governor, in
1810 while the Ranch House was being built.

Please arrive at the front gate of the Marine Corps Base just off
Interstate 5 in Oceanside at about  8:45 AM and tell the guard you’re
there for a tour of the Ranch House.  There at the front gate you’ll
be asked to show:
1.  A current valid driver’s license.
2.  Current proof of auto insurance, and
3.  Current auto registration.

The Marine guard will ask you to drive north on Vandegrift Boulevard
for a few miles, past the helicopter base on your left, and then watch
for the sign for the Ranch House and Chapel on your left among tall
eucalyptus trees.  Park in the lot by the Chapel, which is a few yards
to the southwest of the big adobe Ranch House.  The tour starts on the
patio by the Chapel.

For those hardy souls who still have the time and energy after the
Ranch House tour, the Camp Pendleton Mechanized Museum is open to the
public and is located just a few yards further to the east on
Vandegrift Boulevard, on your left.  Its tanks, trucks and specialized
vehicles used over the decades are truly spectacular.

Please call or e-mail Dr. Jerry Colling with your name and those of
your guests by Tuesday November 8th.  Jerry’s e-mail is
jerry@colling.com, and home phone 760-729-1814.  This will help with
planning.