Diego Sepúlveda Adobe facts for kids
The Diego Sepúlveda Adobe is a very old building in Costa Mesa, California. It's also known as the Costa Mesa Estancia or the Santa Ana Estancia. This adobe building is special because it's the second-oldest building still standing in Orange County.
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 Location in California
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| Location | Costa Mesa, California |
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| Coordinates | 33°40′23″N 117°56′13″W / 33.67306°N 117.93694°W |
| Name as founded | Estancia de la Misión San Juan Capistrano |
| English translation | Station of Mission San Juan Capistrano |
| Military district | First |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Tongva Gabrieliño |
| Native place name(s) | Lukup |
| Governing body | City of Costa Mesa |
| Current use | Museum |
| Reference no. | #227 |
| Website | |
| https://costamesahistory.org/adobe.htm | |
History of the Adobe
The Diego Sepúlveda Adobe was built a long time ago, between 1817 and 1823. It was made to be a home for the mayordomo (a kind of manager) and the people who looked after the cattle and horses. These animals belonged to Mission San Juan Capistrano.
The adobe was built in a smart spot near the Santa Ana River. This allowed people to watch over the grazing lands. It was also close to the Tongva village of Lupukngna.
A Lookout Post
The adobe even served as a lookout spot. This happened when a French privateer (a ship captain allowed to attack enemy ships) named Hippolyte de Bouchard attacked San Juan Capistrano. This attack took place on December 14, 1818.
By 1820, the building became an official estancia. An estancia was a mission station. Priests from the main mission would visit regularly. They would bring spiritual guidance to the people living there.
Changes in Ownership
After 1833, a new law called the Mexican secularization act of 1833 changed things. The church lost control of its lands and buildings. The adobe and its land then became part of a large land grant. This grant was called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana.
Later, around 1868, the United States government gave the adobe and its land to Diego Sepúlveda. He was a former alcalde (a mayor or judge) from the Mexican era in Pueblo of Los Angeles.
The Adobe Today
The Diego Sepúlveda Adobe has been carefully restored. It looks much like it did when it was first built. It is still the second-oldest building standing in Orange County. The oldest building is "Serra's Chapel" at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Today, the adobe is a local history museum. The Costa Mesa Historical Society runs it. You can visit to learn about the area's past!
See also
- List of Spanish missions in California
- History of Orange County, California
- California Historical Landmarks in Orange County, California
- Ranchos of Orange County, California
- USNS Mission Santa Ana (AO-137) — a ship named after a California mission.
