b'If it was love at first sight, Then it was fascination at first glance! Her Allure was timeless and real.With a lucky passing glance, I saw her while on quick tour of Camp Pendleton. From a distance, she was partially hidden by the abundant foliage and palms and I was captivated.Who is she I asked? My guide, a retired Marine, pointed to her with enthusiasm saying, that was home for most Commanding Generals of Camp Pendleton from 1947until 2007That is her! She is the enduring and endearing,Santa Margarita Ranch House!This treasured National Historic Site has been visited by thousands via bus tour and elementary school groups, and countless military personnel and their families ever since the docent program began in 1975. The present-day main ranch complex is composed of three adobe buildings.The chapel, which was first a winery in the Mission era, later the ranch blacksmith/woodworking shop, and since the Marine Corps took occupancy, a church where services are held each Sunday. The ranch house, (hacienda), has a flowering courtyard that contains one unbelievably old, Bougainvillea vine as an outstanding feature. And our third adobe, the vaqueros or cowboys bunkhouse, which also Vintage hand colored arial photo of the ranch house, corral, & bunkhouse cieca 1985 houses a museum and a gift shop.As a welcoming sight to early dust wearing travelers, a large white cross stands high on the opposite hill from the entrance to the hacienda. The silent landmark has been standing watch over the ranch since the early 1800s, representing the Christian faith of the families who lived there.Isadora was a devout Catholic known for her generous hospitality, and well-read with a library of religious books in Spanish. The biblical command do unto others as you would have them do unto you, was Isadora Forsters belief, welcoming travelers of many faiths. She was the wife of Don Juan (Mr. John) Forster, a well-respected rancher in Southern California, and the younger sister ofPio Pico, the last governor of Mexican Alta California. On your tour, you will hear several Interesting and personal stories of the important role she played in early ranch history.ThePresidentsRoomwasnamedforthe four U.S. Presidents who stayed or visited at the Ranch House since 1942. The first being President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Sept. of that year. The room served for family worship for the Forsters and later as a family dining room for the ONeil family2 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HJanuary 2022H Thank You For Your Service'