Our volunteer docent meeting will start at 9:00, followed by lunch and a field trip to the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas.

The Leonis Adobe is the Calabasas home of Miguel Leonis, one of the most colorful and larger-than-life figures in 19th century Los Angeles. Standing six-feet-four-inches tall and referred to as the "King of Calabasas," Leonis was a wealthy French Basque rancho owner in the San Fernando Valley. Unable to read and write but gifted with shrewd business acumen, Leonis was relentless in land acquisition, claiming almost 11,000 acres across the valley at the height of his power. His domain also included property in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Elizabeth Lake. Leonis was known for forcefully protecting his land against squatters, often employing a small army of Indians and Mexicans. Don Miguel was regarded as an intimidating and litigious land usurper but was also respected as a gentleman farmer and sheep rancher.