The area now known as San Luis Obispo County had far fewer residents during the Golden Era of the Rancho Period than most other areas in Mexican California. The Mexicans fought to free their people and lands from Spanish rule and celebrated this freedom from 1832 by creating Ranchos, which became the dominant institution of Mexican California. Rancho is a Mexican word that describes a tract of land used for raising cattle, sheep, and horses. There were eight famous Ranchos created on the San Luis Obispo County lands. The Dana Adobe was built on the original land grant awarded to Willian G. Dana. Today, it is the only Rancho Era building open to the public and is listed as California Historic Landmark 1033. The Adobe has been restored, and a Heritage Mission Vineyard and groves of olive trees and other fruit trees have been planted.
