History - RDTA
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RDTA History


Things have changed dramatically around here.

This history section contains the memories of some of the original families to move into this complex, and even what was here before our complex was developed.

Ancient history:
Rancho Dominguez Townhomes complex is located on a parcel of land in the Rancho Canon de Santa Ana (sometimes called Canada de Santa Ana) which came under the jurisdiction of the King of Spain by virtue of the law of the Indies upon the Spanish occupation of California in 1769.

Ownership passed to the Republic of Mexico in 1822 after Mexico's Declaration of Independence from Spain and the establishment of the sovereignty of the Government of Mexico.

By grant of Mexican Governor Jose Figueroa on August 1, 1834, title to this parcel and other land was given to Bernardo Yorba, one of the four sons of Jose Antonio Yorba, a soldier member of the Portola party.

In 1848, following the Mexican War and signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, California became United States Territory and title was confirmed by the United States Government in a patent issued showing an area of 13,328.53 acres. By Final Decree of Partition of the Rancho Canon de Santa Ana, recorded February 8, 1874 in the County of Los Angeles, this parcel of land was allotted to Prudencio Yorba. The chain of title continued through members of the Yorba and Dominguez families.

What was here before:
This area was bare hills and orange groves. Yorba Linda Boulevard was a two lane dirt road. Esperanza was a two lane black top road ending at what is now New River. Traveling on Esperanza could be dangerous. There was a marked drop off on each side of the road, and every time it rained the low area near Fairmont flooded up to the level of car doors.
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Rancho Dominguez Road north towards
Travis Ranch School 1978
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View of Travis house from RDTA 1978
The only residence in the area was the Travis house up on the bluff. Commerce hadn't reached the area yet, except for the old Knowlwood restaurant at La Palma and Imperial.

Enter Broadmoor Homes:
In Spring of 1978 the Broadmoor Homes developers set up a trailer sales office at the corner of the north end of Ramona at Dominguez Ranch Road. There were four basic models offered. Interested people had only had an artist's rendering of the units and floor plans to review.

Those interested had to make a $5,000 deposit. Then a lottery was held to select the lucky 50 who could purchase a unit in Phase I. On the day of the drawing hundreds of people waited anxiously to see if their number would be called. Betty Adams remembers waiting with her friend, Joyce. Betty was lucky and selected 26th. In the order picked the drawing winners got to pick which specific model and location they wanted to buy. Joyce and others who missed out did get their deposits back.

The models were construced along Dominguez Ranch Road. The parking lot remained opposite what is now the swimming pool.

Prices as of May 1978 were $66,990 for the two bedroom, two story Silverado Plan 1, $68,990 for the three bedroom, single story Modjeska Plan 2A and Modjeska Plan 2B, $75,990 for the three bedroom, two story Santiago Plan 3, and $79,990 for the three bedroom, two story Trabuco Plan 4.

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Phase I units were those in the center of the complex. Phase II units were to the north. Phase III units were to the west. Phase IV units were to the south. The last building built replaced the corner sales office parking lot.

Early resident's memories:
Ruth and Chuck Modlin remember that there were special incentives offered to families willing to move into nearly completed units before the end of 1978. They recount their experience of moving in on Christmas Eve. The electricity hadn't been turned on yet, so they used the headlights of their car for illumination. Due to the mud, they placed wooden planks across their patio area.
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Ramona curving north 1978
Did you know that Broadmoor Homes opened an identical complex in Irvine at the same time as our Rancho Dominguez? Steve Daigle felt the rural nature of Yorba Linda in the late 1970s "made the choice a no-brainer."

Judy Lotz, who moved into her Phase II unit in January 1979, remembers the pouring of the sidewalks and planting of the shrubs and trees.

Newcomers to our complex may not realize how fortunate we are that RDTA was one of the first installations of cable television in Orange County. Since the hills north of us make normal TV reception impossible, we are grateful that cable technology became available just in time for RDTA.

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Early residents with two-story units may remember when they had great views of the mountains to the east and Anaheim Hills to the south - before the trees grew so tall. Steve Daigle recalls the serious Santa Ana wind storms and fire scares that came close enough to see the flames.



Remember the "fun" dodging 30 mph four foot tumbleweeds down Esperanza?

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Esperanza 1978
The very first newsletter, The Dominguez Herald, came out the winter of 1978.

Today we have a condominium complex of 206 units, generous greenbelts, and a Recreational Area offering swimming, tennis, basketball, and children's play yard. An active Board of Directors represents the interests of the owners and tenants in maintaining a safe, attractive community for all of us to enjoy.

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RDTA Pool Area corner early 1980s
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RDTA Pool Area corner 2000
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Greenbelt from Dominguez Ranch Road early 1980s
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Greenbelt from Dominguez Ranch Road 2000
We look forward to expanding this History section as you send us your stories and photos.

Thanks to those who provided this information:
Special acknowledgements to Carol Engle and John Ingstad, who had saved original Broadmoor sales materials! The "cowboy" picture used in the heading of this page is from an early Broadmoor promotional postcard. Thanks to Faye Kwate for preserving this momento.

Thanks to Betty Adams, Steve Daigle, Judy Lotz, and Ruth and Chuck Modlin for sharing their memories and stories.

Thanks to Steve Daigle for the photos of our complex during the early stages of development.

We encourage anyone with additional stories to contact the webmaster, Suzan Walter, at webmaster@rdta.org

© 2004 Rancho Dominguez Townhomes Association All rights reserved.
Material in this site is to enhance communication within the RDTA community.
The information in this site is not to be used as official rulings or documentation.