b'Circa 1917 black and whitepicture captures how vast and impressive Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores was in Alta California. Picture shows barns, corrals, grand hacienda, river and ranchland as far as the eye can see.Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores.The Gaspar De Portola Expedition Thursday, July 20, 1769 crossed this valley and they gave the name Santa Margarita. The name, Las Flores,is because of the great number of rose bushes seen by the Expedition the following day.A two-story Monterey style adobe home, very unusual for Southern Cali-fornia, is located at the Las Flores Adobe National Historic Landmark.The Las Flores Rancho is located off the Las Pulgas Road on Camp Pendleton. The Las Flores adobe was built by Marcos Forster, the oldest of Isadora and John Forsters three sons. These two National Historic places were once part of the largest Mexican land grant (over 202,058 acres) in early Cali-fornia extending from north San Diego County, north through the Mission Viejo Grant. There are many great family stories, (from shocking to humorous), about each of the previous three families living on this historic cattle ranch from the early 1800suntil 1942. Just before 1942, the Santa Margarita ranch era officially ended, but the stories since are just as inter-esting and continue to unfold.If you enjoy early California history, especially the history of the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, please come visit Rancho Santa Margaritas ranch house. As one of several Santa Margarita y Las Flores docents, we all look forward with an-ticipation to each tour because it is a such a rewarding experience sharing stories about this charming ranch and meeting with interesting people from all walks of life. If you are interested in becoming a docent volunteer, we offer training through the faye.jonason@usmc.mil. faye.jonason@usmc.mil. Continued on page 8Thank You For Your Service HJuly 2021H Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 7'