Lehnerts Bid Farewell to
Ranch House
Docents gave tours of the Ranch House during its final night as the Lehnert’s residence.
Story by Lance Cpl. Tyler Barstow
Camp Pendleton, CA. September 20, 2007 -- Maj. Gen. Michael R. Lehnert and his wife Denise are officially the last Marine Corps family to reside in the base’s historic Ranch House.
The Ranch House complex is now part of the base’s History and Museums division and will open up the Ranch House complex for more tours, exhibits and special events.
"Saying goodbye to the house is like closing the book on another chapter of its history," said Lehnert, who has resided in the house with Denise for the past year.
"There was the original Spanish occupation of the land all the way up to the Marines’ occupation and now we're moving on."
The land at the Rancho Santa Margarita y Los Flores includes several historic buildings, including the chapel, which is the oldest building on base and was built around 1810. The area is an important part of the base's history and is recognized as a national historic site.
The complex includes the Ranch House Chapel, the oldest structure on base, the Bunkhouse Museum, dedicated in 1965 by Col. James Roosevelt, and the Ranch House, built in the mid 1800s. It was the home of Pio Pico, last Mexican governor of California, and succeeding owners Don Juan Forster, the O'Neills, Floods, Baumgartners and, finally, the United States Government.
Guests at the Ranch House enjoy taking in historical tours by docents and meeting Marine Corps mascots during the Ranch House event.
Historic artifacts at the Complex document pre-history through Mission and Rancho periods to the 1942 purchase of Camp Pendleton and present times.
Exhibits include early ranch equipment, photographs of President Roosevelt's historic visit, antiques donated by Anthony Quinn during the filming of "Guadalcanal Diary" in 1943 and furnishings of the Rancho period.
"Taking the tour is like stepping back in time," said A. Faye Jonason, a museum specialist for the base’s History and Museums office. "We start with the ranch's early history from the Native American to present, taking the visitors through the chapel, the house and the bunk house."
The Lehnerts’ guests toured the house with help from the docents, who shared the house's unique history and traditions as they mingled with their hosts during the last night the historic house would serve as a home.
The Marine Corps has kept up the land at the ranch to preserve the history, but the house has gone under some new renovations to suit modern needs, such as plumbing.
"And when you look inside this door..." said Linda Holmes, a docent for the Ranch House Complex, as she showed visitors the new additions to the bedroom. "... you can see a shower is installed, but kept it’s hidden.”
The shower and other additions are tucked away to preserve the room's original appearance and charm, explained Holmes.
Several docents were on hand throughout the night to teach guests the unique traditions and ways of the ranch house.
"I love working here," said Holmes, who has been on base since 1968. "I meet a lot of interesting people that are eager to learn about the ranch house and its unique history."
After the dinner and tours, the guests joined their hosts on the front lawn for the retiring of the Colors accompanied by the 1st Marine Division Band.
As the night passed on, Maj. Gen. Lehnert reflected on his own history with the house.
"It's sad to be the last one here, but I'm happy to be able to pass it on," he said.
The Ranch House will still be available for special events hosted by base commanders, but the absence of a permanent resident will still allow for opportunities for outside guests to get a taste of the ranch’s history.
"I never have someone go through that doesn't find something they can relate to," Jonason said
This living history tour provides guests with the chance to walk through the house and experience early life on Camp Pendleton.
Call (760) 725-5758 for information.
