Mexican era right|thumb|The Catalina Verdugo Adobe is the city's oldest building. Construction began in 1828. New Spain achieved its independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821, and from 1824, Rancho San Rafael existed within the new Mexican Republic.
Mexican era right|thumb|The Catalina Verdugo Adobe is the city's oldest building Construction began in 1828 New Spain achieved its independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821 and from 1824 Rancho San Rafael existed within the new Mexican Republic