Visit historic adobe, tour museum

DAYS GONE BY-An oak-draped farm building sits on the Miguel Leonis Adobe site in Old Town Calabasas. Leonis' historic ranch house was built in the 19th century. The museum just turned 40. The Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas is 40 this month, a dignified age but not so venerable as the "king of Calabasas'" own ranch home, the namesake centerpiece of the property.

The public is invited to join a free celebration this Sunday to honor the efforts of the site's nonprofit museum and recognize the historic Miguel Leonis Adobe, which dates to the mid 1800s.

"At 162 years old, it has been an incredible journey for the Leonis Adobe," said Leonis Adobe Association President Don Adams, who has been on the adobe's board for 30 years. "We've worked hard to pre

serve this wonderful gift given to our community by Kay Beachy, the key person in saving the property," Adams said. "It's been a challenging process to develop a museum this unique while maintaining the old buildings so visitors may walk through them, but it has also certainly been a labor of love."

During the 19th century, Miguel Leonis (1824-89), called

he "king of Calabasas," lived at

he adobe and from it controlled much of the west end of the San Fernando Valley and part of Ventura County. Under his rule, he area was known as one of the oughest spots in the state, accordng to Leonis Adobe public relaions representative Judy Uthus.

Before 1886 when the Southern Pacific Railroad linked Los Angeles with San Francisco, Calabasas-complete with its dance hall, saloon and jail for those who got completely out of line-was the place to go to do just about anything, historians said.

"People from Los Angeles knew they could come out here for a good time," Uthus said. "The saloons and the activities out here were just like what we would consider Las Vegas today-but a bit more wild."

Uthus said the famous hangman's tree in Old Town Calabasas across from Calabasas Junction might have been used for serious offenders of the law, but no record of hangings has ever been found.

Leonis made a living as a trader. He owned a lot of land and livestock, and did whatever he could to keep them. According to historians, many of his acquisitions were probably due to shrewd trading. And Leonis wasn't above laying claim to land in the public domain.

Leonis, historians say, had an army of Mexicans and Indians who would intimidate anyone who tried to match wits or challenge him.

Sources say that if Leonis wasn't able to easily discourage intruders or foes, he would have them carted off to jail and charged with trespassing or stealing.

If a trial ever materialized over a case of trespassing or theft, Leonis could influence the judge and jury with food and drink. Often times, a trial wasn't necessary. But a file drawer full of trial summaries proves many did occur.

Leonis died in 1889 when his wagon overturned in Cahuenga Pass. He was returning home after winning a lawsuit in Los Angeles. Leonis was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.

On May 21, 1966, the Leonis Adobe officially opened to the public. The Cultural Heritage Board presented a plaque at the ceremony, which was attended by Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty. The Leonis Adobe became one in a series of historic and cultural landmarks that the city of L.A. officially recognized.

In 1962, the Leonis Adobe Association was formed to preserve and protect the abandoned adobe home which was being threatened with replacement by a shopping center. The association repaired Leonis' home, acquired its original artifacts and recreated the site as an 1880s living rancho.

Over the years, the Leonis Adobe Association has added and restored the Victorian Plummer house on the property, and Calabasas Creek Park, an outdoor museum.

"Miguel Leonis was a visionary," Adams said. "And I think if he were to come back today, he'd be very pleased with what we've done."

Museum officials said they hope to install more exhibits, interactive displays and signs to attract visitors and make their experience more meaningful.

The Leonis Adobe Museum is situated in Old Town Calabasas at 23537 Calabasas Road. The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, call (818) 222-6511 or visit www.leonisadobemuseum.org.