Welcome to the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum, a gateway into the rich tapestry of history that is San Juan Capistrano. Imagine the year is 1794. The Mission San Juan Capistrano, a cornerstone of the region, has just constructed a series of adobes to house soldiers and the local Native Americans, the Acjachemen, who worked at the mission. Among these early structures was what we now know as the Blas Aguilar Adobe.
Fast forward to 1845, and the adobe is purchased by Don Blas Aguilar, a significant figure in the region’s history. Aguilar, the last alcalde of Capistrano under Mexican rule and the first Justice of the Peace under American rule, renamed the property ‘La Hacienda Aguilar.’ This name endures, reflecting not only the personal history of Aguilar but also the broader historical shifts from Mexican to American governance.
Over the years, the Blas Aguilar Adobe transitioned from a residential home to a museum, preserving the cultural and historical essence of San Juan Capistrano. The adobe stands as a testament to the area’s vibrant past, housing artifacts from early San Juan and Acjachemen history. Its preservation and transformation into a museum are thanks to the Blas Aguilar Adobe Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to educating visitors on the myriad historical periods of this region.
The adobe’s story is intertwined with the broader narrative of San Juan Capistrano—a town that emerged around the mission, impacted by various historical events such as the arrival of the California Central Railroad in 1888. This development helped bring people to the area, further establishing it as a hub between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Today, as you explore the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum, you are not just stepping into a building but into a story that spans centuries. Each artifact and photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped this area—fascinating tales waiting to be discovered.
