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 History | Adobe Sites |
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Indian Adobe at San Fernando Mission Photo courtesy of San Fernando Historical Society |
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Why a list of adobe sites? While tracking down adobes to photograph I met John R. Kielbasa author of Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County. I told him that I was having trouble locating the Grazide Adobe in Rowland Heights. He knew its location and that is was torn down in 1972. Search over. I mentioned that I wanted to compile a list of adobe sites which might be useful to other adobe hunters and serve as a reminder to help preserve the adobes that still exist.Well not only did he like the idea, he already compiled such a list (which was not included in his book due to space limitations) that he offered for this Website. Thanks John! We'll be adding more sites and vintage photos as they become available. |
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| Agoura (1) | Bell Gardens (1) | Beverly Hills (1) | Calabasas (2) | ||||
| Canoga Park (1) | City of Industry (1) | Compton (4) | El Monte (1) | ||||
| Glendale (1) | Granada Hills (1) | Harbor City (1) | Inglewood (2) | ||||
| L.A. County (1) | Long Beach (1) | Los Angeles (46) | Los Nietos (1) | ||||
| Malibu (1) | Montebello (1) | Monterey Park (2) | North Hollywood (1) | ||||
| Pacific Palisades (2) | Pomona (5) | Rowland Heights (1) | San Gabriel (2) | ||||
| San Marino (2) | San Pedro (5) | Santa Clarita (4) | Santa Fe Springs (1) | ||||
| South El Monte (1) | South Pasadena (2) | Walnut (2) | Walteria (1) | ||||
| West Hills (1) | West Hollywood (1) | Westlake Village (1) | Whittier (1) |
Vejar Adobe (Vejar Station) Est. 1820
Lugo Adobe - Rancho San Antonio Est. 1850
Rancho Rodeo de Las Aguas Adobe Est. 1840s
Mott Adobe
Pedro Sepulveda Adobe (Las Virgenes Creek) Est. bef 1860
Unknown Adobe House
Adobe Sites - City of Industry
John Rowland Adobe Est. 1841
Gallardo Adobe
Juan Jose Dominguez Adobe
Nasario Dominguez Adobe
Pedro Dominguez Adobe
Nicholas Schmidt Adobe Est. 1850
Jose Maria Verdugo Adobe "Casa Verdugo" Est. c 1794
Near Strawberry Hill, Agoura. Site of today's Whizen's Center, Roadside Drive and Cornell Road, Agoura. Stage stop an inn along the Butterfield Overland Stage Route in the 1860s and became known as Vejar Station. It was a two-story Monterey-type
adobe built near a spring that ran year round. It was built in 1820 by John Christopher Vejar, who married Maria Altgracia Reyes (daughter of Maria Antonia Machado de Reyes, owner of the Reyes Adobe). The building stood until the early 1900s, when it
was razed.
It was built in 1850 by Vicente Lugo, son of Don Antonio Maria Lugo, who was granted Rancho San Antonio in 1810. It was a Monterey-type home made of wood and adobe. It was the main hacienda for the 29, 413 acre Rancho San Antonio. It was
vandalized and eventually burned down. A replica of the adobe was built at Lugo Plaza, 2570 Slauson Boulevard, Huntington Park. The replica was built using some of the materials from the original adobe. The replica adobe has been incorporated into a
shoping complex with and adobe theme.
6360 East Gage Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA 90201 Map
Northwest corner of Sunset Boulevard and Alpine Drive, Beverly Hills. Built 1840s. Home of Maria Rita Valdez. The rancho was granted to Valdez and her husband, Vicente Valdez in 1822. He died in 1828 leaving Maria a widow with 7 children. Luciano
Valdez (an in-law) built an adobe home in front of Maria's and tried to claim the rancho for himself. There was an Indian raid at this rancho in 1852. Chief Walker and his Utah band was chased by a local posse to a walnut grove near today's Chevy Chase
Drive and Benedict Canyon Drive. This was the last Indian raid in Los Angeles. There is a marker describing this raid at 1700 Chevy Chase Drive in front of the Beverly Hills Women's Club. Maria Valdez sold the rancho in 1854.
Sunset Boulevard and Alpine Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 9021 Map
Mott Road south of Chaparral Trail, Malibu Creek State Park. Don't know much about this place. It is an adobe ruin. There is a burned out foundation, fireplace, and chimney. There may be some remnants of adobe walls. There was some simulated
bullet holes in the adobe walls when it was used as a movie set. It is about a mile southwest of the park's main entrance at Las Virgenes Canyon Road south of Mulholland Highway. It is about a mile southeast of the visitor center. Hiking trails are the
only way to access this site.
Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, CA 91302 Map
Along Las Virgenes Creek. Destroyed by flood in 1860. He later built the present
Sepulveda Adobe at Mulholland Highway and Las Virgenes Canyon Road in 1863.
There is a photo of this adobe taken in the 1940s on CSUN's web site on the history of the San Fernando Valley. Don't have a clue about this one though.
Glade Ave and Vanowen Str, Canoga Park, CA Map
300 yards north of the current John Rowland Home at 16021 Gale Avenue, City of Industry. It was built in 1841 closer to the southern bank of San Jose Creek (probably at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It was still standing in 1936. A picture is
on page 14 in the book, The San Gabriel Valley: Chronicles of an Abundant Land, by William F. King. It appeared to be abandoned. Photo courtesy of the Southwest Musuem.
16021 Gale Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91745 Map
North side of Dominguez Hill, Compton.
Near Artesia Boulevard and Alameda Street, Compton. It was built on the northeast slope of Dominguez Hill about 1784. Indians from the nearby village of Suangna help with the adobes construction. Dominguez lived in an adobe in Los Angeles while
his rancho adobe was being built. It was a single story, two room adobe measuring 33 feet on all sides. The roof was made from willow poles and tar from La Brea Pits. Near the house, upon the slope of the hill overlooking the river, he constructed
corrals and several huts for his Indian vaqueros. There are two photos of it (circa 1890) that shows the adobe abandoned and partially in ruins. The photos can be seen on page 75 and 163 of the book, The Rancho San Pedro, by Robert C. Gillingham. Title
Insurance and Trust Company, Los Angeles, owned the copyright to the photo. It was torn down in 1891.
Artesia Boulevard and Alameda Street, Compton, CA Map
On Domiguez Hill, northwest of Pedro Dominguez's adobe, Compton.
On Dominguez Hill, just northwest of Manuel Dominguez's adobe, Compton.
It was on Valley Boulevard just east of Peck Road, El Monte. It was built in 1850 by Nicholas Schmidt. It was the first and only adobe in El Monte. Photo of it on page 9 in the book (pamphlet), El Monte: At the End of the Santa Fe Trail, Published
1965 by the El Monte Young Adult Historical Society.
Valley Boulevard, El Monte, CA Map
Built 1794 or 1795. Original grantee of Rancho San Rafael. Died in 1831. There were 5 Verdugo Adobes on Rancho San Rafael.
North end of Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA Map
| Current site of the Upper Van Norman Reservoir, San Fernando Valley. Built by Geronimo Lopez. Geronimo and Catalina were married in 1851. On 40 acres they purchased from a Mission Indian, they built the Lopez Station on the direct route of the Butterfield Stage Line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It ran between 1861 and 1874. They established the first English speaking school across from the Lopez Station, hiring an English teacher, who lived with the family and taught the Lopez children, and those of the Indian workers. They opened the first post office in the Valley in 1869 and ran a general store from 1861 to 1883. |
Casa de Sangre Est. 1815
Anastacio Avila Adobe (Rancho La Tajuata)
Antonio Ignacio Avila Adobe (Rancho Sausal Redondo) Est. 1826
Ybarra Adobe (Rancho Rincon de la Brea)
Guillermo Cota Adobe Est. 1835
Abel Stearns Adobe "El Palacio" The Palace Est. 1835
Andres Pico Adobe (Townhouse)
Bell Adobe
Bella Union Hotel Site Est. 1835
Bruno Avila Adobe (Townhouse)
Don Antonio Coronel Adobe
Don Antonio Lugo Adobe (Townhouse)
Don Antonio Rocha Adobe (Townhouse) Est. bef 1828
Don Juan Temple's Adobe (Townhouse) Est. 1851-1852
Eulogio de Celis Townhouse
Figueroa Adobe Est. 1846
Francisco Ocampo's Adobe
Francisco Sepulveda's (Townhouse)
Ignacio Del Valle's Townhouse
J.N. Padilla Adobe
John G. (Gregg) Nichols Adobe
John G. Downey's Adobe (Townhouse)
Jose Antonio Carrillo Adobe
Jose Carmen Lugo's Adobe
Jose Vicente Guerrero's Adobe
Juan Apablasa's Adobe
Juan Jose Sepulveda Adobe
Juan Ramirez Adobe Est. 1828
Judge Agustin Olvera Adobe (one time Tapia Townhouse)
Judge Benjamin Hayes Adobe
Judge Benjamin S. Eaton's Adobe
Julian Chavez Adobe Est. c 1846
Manuel Garfias Adobe (Townhouse)
Manuel Requena Adobe
McFarland and Downey's Adobe Drug Store
Montgomery Saloon
Morris Adobe
Pedro Ybarra Adobe
Pio Pico Adobe (Townhouse)
Prudent Beaudry Adobe
Santa Cruz Adobe (Formerly Jose Mascarel's Adobe Home) Est. 1844
Schaeffer's Adobe Gunsmith Shop Est. c 1855
Senora Francisca Gallardo Adobe Est. c 1847
Sepulveda Adobe (Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica)
Sonora Town
Vicente Lugo Adobe Site (Townhouse) Est. c 1840
Vicente Sanchez Adobe (Townhouse)
Vignes Adobe Est. 1830s
William Wolfskill Adobe
Winfield Scott Hancock's Adobe House and Corral (Camp Fitzgerald)
Built in 1815, Casa de Sangre (Spanish for "House of Blood") was used has a roadhouse along the stage route between San Pedro and Los Angeles from 1815 to 1865. The house was made of adobe and some of the adobe walls, although in ruins, were still
standing in 1915. The place was located just west of Bixby Slough and not far from Juan Sepulveda's adobe ranch house near Five Points. The site was leveled by grading in the 1940s. It was called the Case de Sangre because many wild gatherings were
held here, some ending in murder.
Vermont Avenue at Normandie Avenue, Harbor City, CA 90710 Map
Watts-Willowbrook Area, Los Angeles. Formally granted to Anastacio Avila on July 5, 1843. It was 3599 acres. Boundaries were roughly as follows: Firestone Boulevard to the north, Alameda Street to the east, Roscrans Avenue to the south, and
Central Avenue to the west. Anastacio farmed the area since 1820 and may have built his small two room adobe then. His son, Enrique Avila, later occupied the adobe. Phineas Banning's stage lines ran along the east boundary of the rancho. The Avilas
grazed cattle here until the 1870s. They raised sheep during the Civil War during the wool boom. The area was farm land until 1902, when the Pacific Electric Railway came through. Enrique Avila's land holdings were in the area where Watts Junction was
later located near 103rd Street and Grandee Avenue, Watts. The adobe may have been near here.
Built in 1826 by Antonio Ignacio Avila, brother of Francisco Avila (builder of the Avila Adobe on Olvera Street). Antonio was the original grantee of Rancho Sausal Redondo (which included al of Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela). The small adobe was
built on a hill near Centinela Springs. The adobe was located where the present day baseball diamond is at Centinela Park.
700 Warren Lane, Inglewood, CA 90302 Map
Rancho Rincon de la Brea, Los Angels County. The rancho was situated in unincorporated LA County east of Rowland Heights, south of La Puente, west of Diamond Bar, and north of Brea (Orange County). Home of Otterbein Ybarra. Said to have been built
by Gil Ybarra or a member of his family. Ybarras (Gill and Desidero) also built homes on Spring Street west of the LA River. Spring Street between Ord Street and the Plaza was called Calle de los Ybarras.
Virginia Country Club (11th fairway), Long Beach. Built in 1835 by Guillermo Cota, who married Manuela Nieto (daughter of Manuel Nieto). Orignal grantees of Rancho Los Cerritos. The structure was eventually abandoned and fell into decay. Wild
animals took up residence in the building and it became flea infested. The adobe was known as the Flea House. It eroded away over the years and disappeared. They built an earlier adobe in the area in 1833. It was near the Los Angeles River. Both
houses were about 5 miles up from the coast.
4602 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807 Map
Southeast corner of Main Street and Arcadia Street, Los Angeles. Construction began about 1835. Stearns built a three room adobe with an attached kitchen. Gradually he expanded the house over the years until it took on the proportions of a
mansion. Adobe wall were 3 feet thick and wood support beams were brought down from the San Bernardino Mountains. The home eventually became "U" shaped and had a wide open cobblestone court. The house contained a grand ballroom at least 100 feet long.
At the time, it was the largest and most magnificent house in the pueblo and became known as El Palacio or the Palace. The Hollywood Freeway now passes under the site of the home. Arcadia Street is named for Stearns' wife, Arcadia Bandini Stearns.
Northeast corner of Sanchez Street and Plaza Street, Los Angeles. On the south side of the plaza. Andres Pico lived here at one time. Now the site of the Plaza Fire House built in the 1880s.
Southeast corner of Los Angeles Street and Aliso Street, Los Angeles. Sometimes called Bell Row. Built by Captain Alexander Bell. It was a two-story, "L" shaped adobe. John Charles Fremont used this place as his headquarters in January 1847. Later
it became Mellus Row, owned by Henry Mellus.
Los Angeles St and Aliso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Map
California State Historic Landmark 656
Partially made of adobe. Built in 1835 by Isaac Williams for a store. It was originally two stories, later a third story was added. This was the first hotel in Los Angeles. It served as Governor Pio Pico's headquarters in 1845-46. Then it was
used as Lt. Archibald Gillespie's headquarters in 1846. It was the final stage stop in Los Angeles. On October 7, 1858, the first Butterfield Overland Mail stage arrived from the east 21 days after leaving St. Louis. Now the site of the LA Mall.
State Landmark No. 656. Monument exists.
314 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Map
It was a small adobe townhouse. He traded his rancho for this house close to town.
7th Street and Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Map
Don Antonio Coronel (1817 -1894) became the owner of Rancho Los Feliz. He came to Los Angeles in 1834. Helen Hunt Jackson, author of "Ramona" visited this adobe in 1881.
7th Street and Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Map
East side of San Pedro Street between 1st and 2nd Streets, Los Angeles. Built in 1819. Now the site of Gilbert W. Lindsey Mall.
San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
West side of Spring Street between Temple Street and 1st Street, Los Angeles. Present site of the downtown Criminal Courts Building, 210 West Temple Street. Rocha was a Portuguese sailor who jumped ship in Monterey in 1815. Fled to Los Angeles.
Became a blacksmith. Built a large adobe home in town. James Ohio Pattie was entertained here in 1828. In 1855, the home was acquired by Los Angeles City and County to be used as a meeting place for the City Council and the County Board of Supervisors.
It became the Sheriff's Office, court house, and jail, which was later added to the rear of the adobe. This was Los Angeles' first city hall. Many pictures of this adobe as the first city hall. Rocha built the Gilmore Adobe on Rancho La Brea between
1828 and 1831.
Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Temple Block West side of Main Street and south of Temple Street. Built by Juan Temple in 1851-52. It was a two story adobe. It was later torn down to make way for a 3 story brick building. This was later torn down to make room for the present
city hall building (1926).
Main Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
West side of Main Street, south of Aliso Street, Los Angeles. De Celis once owned the entire San Fernando Valley. Now site of the Federal Court House.
Built in 1846 by Ramon Figueroa. Description of it in 1939. It stood well back in a small copse of pepper and palm trees. The original adobe section is comparatively well preserved, but the unsightly frame additions in the rear add an incongruous
note. The house is occupied by a great granddaughter of a Spanish soldier who accompanied Governor Felipe de Neve in 1781. From California: A Guide to the Golden State by WPA 1939. The site across the street (south) of Felix Chevrolet.
3404 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Map
West side of Calle de Los Negros "Negro Alley" just south of Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles. It was the former home of Juan B. Leandry. The long adobe joined Ignacio Coronel's Adobe on the north. The Ocampo Adobe was off set from the main plaza to
the south and east. This created a smaller plaza or "plazuela" known as Ocampo's Plaza. Cockfights were held at this small plaza in front of the Ocampo home. Calle de Los Negros no longer exists. It ran north and south immediately east of Los Angeles
Street between Aliso Street and Paseo de la Plaza. This was the site of the Chinese Massacre in 1871.
East side of Sanchez Street immediately north of the Vicente Sanchez townhouse, Los Angeles.
East side of the Plaza and east of Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles. Immediately south of the Lugo Home. Now the site of a small park with a statue of Father Junipero Serra.
Southeast corner of Main Street and Requena Street, Los Angeles. Joseph P. Newmark and Jacob Rich ran a dry goods and clothier business here. Requena Street is long gone. This site is now the site of City Hall East.
Main Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Southwest corner of Main and Requena Streets, Los Angeles. Requena Street no longer exists. It ran east and west just south of Temple Street. Nichols was a mayor of Los Angeles at one time. He had a grocery store at this adobe house. This later
became the site of the Temple Block, which later gave way to the present City Hall building.
Main St, Los Angeles, CA Map
North of Marchessault Street between Olvera Street and Bath Street (later North Main Street), Los Angeles. It faced the plaza on the north side. It was a large "L" shaped adobe that was owned by Pedro Seguro and used as a gambling house in the
1840s. Monte was the game of choice here. John G. Downey, a druggist, landowner, and one time Governor of California owned the adobe. Later, an Englishman, John Jones acquired the adobe. The Jones-Simpson family owned it for years. It was completed
shrouded by trees.
It was a large "U" shaped structure located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Plaza Street, Los Angeles. Situated on the southwest corner of the Plaza. Now the site of the Pico House Hotel built in 1870.
430 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Map
Northeast corner of Arcadia Street and Calle de Los Negros, Los Angeles.
Arcadia Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
East side of Calle de los Negros south of the Plaza, Los Angeles. It was immediately south of Juan Apablasa's Adobe.
East side of Calle de los Negros south of Fergueson Alley, Los Angeles. This faced O'Campo's Plaza just south of the main El Pueblo Plaza.
This was the adobe townhouse of Juan Jose Sepulveda, owner of Rancho Santa Ana (in Orange County) and other ranchos. Old maps show that the adobe was located on Calle Eternidad (Eternity Street) because it was on the road to the old cemetery and Calle
Las Virgenes (Street of the Virgins). Eternity Street became North Broadway and Las Virgenes Street became Alpine Street. The area was once part of Sonoratown, an old adobe barrio that housed many natives from Sonora, Mexico. Now it is Los Angeles'
Chinatown District. John R. Kielbasa
North Broadway and Alpine Streets, Los Angeles, CA Map
It was a two story adobe. Now the site of the main entrance to Union Station.
800 Block North Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA Map
Former home of Tiburcio Tapia of Rancho Cucamonga. Northeast corner of Olvera Street and Marchessault Street, Los Angeles. Facing the Plaza on the northeast side. Site of today's United Methodist Church and the Biscailuz Center. Olvera Street was
named for Judge Agustin Olvera.
West side of Main Street north of Aliso Street (at about New High Street), Los Angeles. It was a long "T" shaped adobe. It was used as a courthouse.
Main St, Los Angeles, CA Map
West of Spring Street and south of Aliso Street, Los Angeles. Eaton was a District Attorney and a judge in Los Angeles. He is one of the founders of Pasadena. Eaton Canyon is named for him. His small adobe on the hill southwest of the plaza was
used as a jail before the American occupation of the city. Now this is the site of the old Hall of Justice building.
Julian Chavez was the Alcalde (mayor) of Los Angeles in 1838 and was on the first LA County Board of Supervisors. He was granted an area known as Las Animas in 1846. This was in the Chavez Ravine area, which was named for Chavez. He probably built
his adobe within the customary one year of the grant, either in 1846 or 1847. Chavez Ravine became a working class Mexican barrio by the 1930s. The barrio was demolished to make way for Dodger Stadium in 1959. Today, Dodger Stadium and the surrounding
parking lot covers the land owned by Julian Chavez. John R. Kielbasa
Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, CA Map
1st Street and Main Street, Los Angeles. An owner of Rancho San Pascual.
1st Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Northeast corner of Los Angeles Street and Requena Street (later Market Street), Los Angeles. Now the site of Parker Center, LAPD Headquarters. Market Street is no longer there. The adobe was east of Los Angeles Street and south of Temple Street.
Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Northwest corner of Los Angeles Street and Commercial Street, Los Angeles. John G. Downey and James P. McFarland ran the city's first drug store out of a small adobe here in the 1850s. Today, Commercial Street does not go west of Alameda Street. It
would have been between Aliso Street and Temple Street.
Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA Map
West of Main Street at Arcadia Street, Los Angeles. It was a one-story adobe about 100 feet wide. The front had a shaded veranda. It was a well-known gambling house in the 1850s that catered to the most fastidious people in Los Angeles. It was
aristocratic in its furnishing and its management. Billy Getman, The Sheriff of Los Angeles County managed the place. Getman was killed in the line of duty trying to arrest a lunatic. This establishment had a bar and billiard tables where as much as
$100 a game would be at stake. Drinks were 25 cents.
Arcadia Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Between Main and Hill Streets and 15th and 16th Streets, Los Angeles. It was a fine old home occupied by Moritz Morris. He was a Los Angeles City Councilman 1869-1870. He and his brothers ran a vineyard here. The Morris Brothers sold the property
in the 1870s. Photo in Harris Newmark's book, Sixty Years in Southern California.
Probably by the Los Angeles River crossing.
North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA Map
On the east side of Sanchez Street, south of the Plaza, Los Angeles. It was immediately south of his brother, Andres Pico's townhouse.
Sanchez Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Northeast corner of Aliso Street and Calle de los Negros, Los Angeles. Beaudry, a native of Quebec, purchased the elongated adobe here in 1854 and ran a store here. Calle de los Negros no longer exists. It was ran north and south for one block
between Aliso Street and Paseo de la Plaza. It was between Los Angeles Street and Alameda Streets. The Beaudry Adobe was probably on the site where the 101 Freeway passes beneath Los Angeles Street (just to the east). Beaudry Street in Los Angeles was
named in his honor.
Aliso Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Was built on land granted by Felipe Talamantes and was later purchased by Jose Mascarel, a French sea captain. Mascarel made his home in the pueblo in 1844 and became its mayor in 1865. He was also the first jeweler of the pueblo. It is said that
Tiburcio Vasquez made the Mascarel home his headquarters in Los Angeles. Mariano Santa Cruz purchased the adobe in 1865 and the house was always designated by his name. The northwest corner of North Spring Street and Ceasar Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles.
On old maps the home would be located on the northwest corner of Upper Main Street and Short Street. After the 1939, the streets changed or became obliterated by development. This part of Short Street became Macy Street, which later became Ceasar Chavez
Avenue. Upper Main Street became North Spring Street. So the approximate site of the Mascarel Adobe would be the northwest corner of North Spring Street and Ceasar Chavez Avenue.
N Spring Street and Ceasar Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA Map
East side of Los Angeles Street near Commercial Street, Los Angeles. Around 1855, this little adobe housed the first gunsmith operated by C. G. Schaeffer. He planted an attractive flower garden that surrounded the place. This is now the site of the
new Federal Building and Post Office.
Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
The site of today's Sepulveda House on North Main Street, north of El Pueblo Plaza, Los Angeles. Built around 1847. The site was located between Bath and Vine Streets. Vine Street was changed to Olvera Street in 1877. Originally it was a one-story
flat roofed adobe house. Later it expanded to two stories with a hipped roof by 1870. In 1881, Senora Gallardo deeded her adobe home and her lot to her daughter, Senora Eloisa Martinez de Sepulveda. Bath Street was widened and renamed North Main Street
in 1886. As a result, an 18-foot section across Senora Sepulveda's property was removed and part of the adobe demolished. In 1887 Senora Sepulveda had the present Eastlake Victorian house which took up the whole width of the lot between Main Street and
Olvera Street.
622 N. Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Map
Bundy Drive probably between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, Sawtelle area of Los Angeles, but Santa Monica usually claims it. Home of Dolores Sepulveda, owner of Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica. It was located near the springs
that Portola found at the site of University High School at 11800 Texas Avenue, Los Angeles.
Bundy Drive, Los Angeles, CA Map
An adobe village north of the Plaza. It was Los Angeles' first barrio. The area was named for the numerous miners and families who came from Sonora, Mexico. May have still been around in the 1930s. Now site of the new Chinatown.
600 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Map
California State Historic Landmark 301
East side of the El Pueblo Plaza on the east side Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles. Built in the 1840s by Vicente Lugo. One of the few two-story homes in Los Angeles at the time. Was donated in 1867 to St. Vincent's College (which later became
Loyola University), the first college in Southern California. Later it was a Chinese curio store. Demolished in the 1950s for the freeway. Numerous photos. One in Casas and Courtyards on page 6. State Landmark No. 301. Unknown if marker still
exists.
Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
On the east side of Sanchez Street north of Arcadia Street, Los Angeles. It was a two story adobe house. In 1890 part of the Garnier Building took its place.
Sanchez Street, Los Angeles, CA Map
Located near Commercial Street and Vignes Street, Los Angeles. Built in the early 1830s by Jean Louis Vignes (Don Luis Vignes), who was a native of Bordeaux, France. He came to California in 1831. He acquired 104 acres east of the Plaza, where he
planted grape vines. His property was bounded by Alameda Street to the west, the LA River to the east and Aliso Street (now 101 Fwy) to the north and probably Temple Street to the south. A high adobe wall surrounded most of his property. For many years
a large sycamore tree (which in Spanish means Aliso) stood near his adobe. Hence the name Aliso Street. Vignes was a pioneer vineyardist and winemaker. He ran the business with his nephews, Jean and Pierre Sainsevain. They purchased the wine making
operation from Vignes and started the Sainsevain Winery in 1857. The two-story winery was also built of adobe. Here the first California champagne was made. Vignes died on January 17, 1862. Vignes Street is named in his honor.
John R. Kielbasa
Located near 4th Street and Alameda Street, Los Angeles. It was possibly built in 1836 by William Wolfskill, a native of Kentucky. He was a fur trapper and trader in New Mexico. He came to California in 1831 and hunted sea otter along the coast. He
settled in Los Angeles in 1836 when he purchased a 100 acre lot. His property was situated between 4th and 6th Streets, east of Alameda Street to the Los Angeles River. He planted grape vines like his friend Louis Vignes. In 1841, he planted oranges
here and this became the first commercial orange venture in Californi with over 2500 orange trees. He ultimately owned ¾ of all the orange trees in California and was the biggest orange grower in the United States. In 1865 he purchased the Rancho Santa
Anita. He died in 1866 at the age of 68. His adobe was razed to make way for the old Southern Pacific Arcade Depot at 4th and Alameda. The depot was also torn down and replaced by today's Union Station about ½ mile to the north. John R. Kielbasa
Captain Winfield S. Hancock (later Major General) lived here as he was the Quartermaster for the US Army's Department of the West in Los Angeles in 1859. In May 1861 to September 1861 a Union training post was established near Hancock's corral. It
was known as Camp Fitzgerald. Named for Brevet Major Edward H. Fitzgerald, US Army First Dragoons, who died in 1860. Col. James Henry Carleton was the first to garrison troops here. Was abandoned for Camp Latham on La Ballona Creek in today's Culver
City. This later was replaced by the Drum Barracks in Wilmington. 3rd and Main Street
| Owned by Eduardo Poyorena and later sold to John Downey. West side of Norwalk Boulevard and south of Slauson Avenue, Los Nietos section of Los Angles County. John R. Kielbasa. Eduardo Poyorena was not only a rancher but he served on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors (1866) for 2 terms and was also the County Marshal. In addition, he and his wife Antonia were the first Board of Trustee's for the Los Nietos School district the oldest in California. The area of Paulorino in Costa Mesa is named in his honor as well as the Avenue and the Elementery School. Tim Miguel, a descendant of Eduardo Poyorena. |
Norwalk Blvd, Los Nietos, CA Map
Jose Bartolome Tapia Adobe Est. c 1800
Mission Vieja Est. 1771
Alessandro Repetto's Adobe Est. 1840
Richard Garvey Adobe
Campo de Cahuenga Est. 1845 National Register
On Vaquero Flats in Rancho Malibu, Malibu. Tapia applied for Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit in 1800. He died on April 18, 1824. From The Malibu Story by Thomas W. Doyle and 7 others. Published by the Malibu Lagoon Museum.
California State Historic Landmark 161
The original site of Mission San Gabriel. San Gabriel Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, Montebello. This was the site of the first mission buildings erected in 1771, then abandoned due to flooding problems. The permanent buildings for the mission were
located about five miles away.
South Garfield Avenue about 1/2 mile north of the Pomona Freeway (at Elmgate Street), Monterey Park. Built in 1840 and originally owned by Jose del Lugo. Repetto's ranch was robbed by Tiburcio Vasquez in 1874. Reppetto, an Italian immigrant, died
in 1885.
South Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park, CA Map
Garvey Ranch Park. Picture of it in Historical Directory of Los Angeles County.
781 Orange Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91755 Map
more
photos...
California State Historic Landmark 151
L.A. Historic Cultural Monument 29
| The original foundation extends into south into Lankershim Blvd and northeast into the preset day parking lot. |
3912 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91604 Map
818 292-5190
Adobe Sites - Pacific Palisades
Marquez Family Adobes Est. c 1827
Ysidro Reyes Adobe Est. 1839
Francisco Vejar's Adobe (Rancho San Jose Abajo)
Preciado Adobe
Ramon Vejar Adobe (Rancho San Jose) Est. 1855
Ricardo Vejar's 1st Adobe (Rancho San Jose Abajo)
Rubottom House Est. c 1866
Grazide Adobe Est. 1875
Jacon Way and Marquez Avenue, Pacific Palisades. Circa 1827. The Francisco Marquez was co-grantees of Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. They built a small cluster of adobes in this area. The family still lives in the Pacific Palisades area. There is a
plaque commemorating the family's existence her from 1827 to present. The marker is located at Elder Street (street name no longer exists) near Entrada Drive, Pacific Palisades. It joined Entrada Drive on the west side somewhere between Channel Road and
Amalfi Drive. There is a school on the site of Elder Street. The marker may be on the school grounds. There is also a rare Marquez family cemetery in the area, that hardly anyone knows about.
Jacon Way and Marquez Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA Map
At the convergence Pampas Recas Boulevard, Chautauqua Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades. Stood from 1839 to 1890. Reyes was one of the grantees of Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. His first adobe home may have been at 7th Street and
Adelaide Drive, Santa Monica.
Pampas Recas Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, CA Map
Just east of the Phillips House at 2640 Pomona Boulevard, Pomona. Built in the mid 1800s.
2640 Pomona Blvd, Pomona, CA 91768 Map
It was beneath the boughs of a large oak tree. The tree stump is still there. In 1837, the oak was the site where Palomares and Vejar families received benediction and there lands were blessed by Father Zalvidea of the San Gabriel Mission. The
adobe house was torn down long ago.
458 Kenoak Place, Pomona, CA 91768 Map
Possibly on the site of the Lanterman Developmental Center. Built in 1855 by Ricardo Vejar for his son, Ramon, as a wedding gift on lands of Rancho Nogales. It was two-story Monterey-type adobe with a substantial foundation of cream colored shale.
It stood on a sloping ground with a wide terrace in front and a broad balcony surrounding the second story. There were two rooms on each floor. Window and door frames were of hand hewn lumber and the porch finished with gracefully turned railings. It
had fallen into ruins by 1955. It was a beautiful home and it is a shame it was neglected and torn down. Casas and Courtyards by Helen S. Giffen. Photo on page 86. The marker for the adobe should be at Richardson Road and Diamond Bar Road within the
grounds (southwest section) of the Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona. Enter at State Street and Pomona Boulevard or at North Diamond Bar Boulevard at State Street.
3530 West Pomona Blvd, Pomona, CA 91769 Map
Spadra Area, (Now Pomona). It was located in an area between Mission Boulevard and Pomona Boulevard on the south side of Arroyo Pedregosa (now South San Jose Creek). It was west of South Humane Way and east of the old Spadra Cemetery. He abandoned
his first home in 1844, possibly due to Indian raids because of the remoteness of the location. Moved to his second home in Walnut, where he built a walled adobe structure secure from attack. He remained there until his death in 1882.
Across the road and to the west of the Phillips House at 2640 Pomona Boulevard, Pomona. The adobe house was built in late 1860s (possibly 1866). It was a stagecoach stop and a saloon. It also served as a post office. Built on land that William
"Uncle Billy" Rubottom bought from Louis Phillips, which became the center of activity for the village of Spadra, named after Spadra Bluffs, Arkansas, where most of the settlers of Spadra were from. Photo from the Pomona Public Library.
2640 Pomona Blvd, Pomona, CA 91768 Map
East side of Batson Avenue near Vidora Drive, Rowland Heights. Built between 1875 and 1878 by Francisco Grazide and Isabella Grazide (daughter of John Rowland II). It was torn down in 1972 to make way for apartments.
Batson Avenue, Rowland Heights, CA Map
| One block west of the mission. Was torn down, but the grape vine remains. |
Santa Anita Avenue and Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA Map
May Adobe Est. 1840s
Don Benito (Benjamin) Davis Wilson's Adobe
Governor Stoneman Adobe "Los Robles"
Casa de San Pedro "Adobe Hide House" Est. 1823
Diego Sepulveda Homesite Est. 1853
Don Jose Sepulveda's Homesite
Don Juan Sepulveda's Homesite
Padre Lasuen Adobe Est. 1796
Adobe Toll House
The Asistencia de San Francisco Javier Est. 1804
Francisco Chari Adobe (Rancho Del Buque) Est. 1843
Old Adobe Stage Stop
Adobe Sites - Santa Fe Springs
Juan Patricio Ontiveros Adobe Est. 1815 National Register
Possibly still standing in 1955.
725 Carmelita, San Gabriel, CA 91776 Map
Lacy Park. The 20,000 dollar adobe mansion was around 1852 on Rancho San Pascual. His property was called Lake Vinyard.
1500 Virginia Road, San Marino, CA 91108 Map
California State Historic Landmark 669
This was the site of Los Robles, the 400 acre estate of Governor George Stoneman (and Union General during the Civil War). President Rutherford B. Hayes was entertained here in 1880. State Landmark No. 669. Some of the original adobe bricks of the
house are incorporated into the state monument.
1890 Montrobles Place, San Marino, CA 91108 Map
California State Historic Landmark 920
Built in 1823 to store cattle hides that the trading firm, McCullough & Hartnell obtained from the San Gabriel and San Fernando Missions. This was the first known commercial structure on San Pedro Bay and the begining of the development of the Port
of Los Angeles. The adobe was described by Richard Henry Dana in Two Years Before the Mast. Abel Stearns owned the adobe warehouse at one time. The adobe wall were still standing in the 1890s. Photos of the ruins exist. San Pedro Bay Historical
Society has a few, including an artist's rendition of what it looked like. State Landmark No. 920. Monument in Ft. MacArthur. Southeast quadrant of the Parade Ground, Middle Reservation, Fort MacArthur, 2500 S. Pacific Avenue. It is now known as the
Los Angeles Air Force Base Housing. You need permission to enter. The Parade Ground can be seen along Pacific Avenue.
2500 S Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731 Map
California State Historic Landmark 380
700 Block of Channel Street (faced Gaffey Street) in San Pedro. Built in 1853 by Diego Sepulveda. It was the first two story Monterey-type adobe built in Southern California. State Landmark No. 380. No monument.
On the west side of North Gaffey Street between Channel Street and Anaheim Street, San Pedro. It was located on the eastern slope of a bluff on the west side of Gaffey Street (possibly on the site of Taper Avenue Elementary School).
Five Points, San Pedro/Harbor City/Wilmington border. Five points is the convergence of the following five streets: Palos Verdes Drive North, Gaffey Street, Anaheim Street, Vermont Avenue and Normandie Avenue. The casa was located on the bluff on
the northwest side of this intersection. Possibly the site of the trailer park. The casa overlooked Machado Lake (Bixby Slough) and the site of the Gabrielino village of Suangna. The lake's name changed numerous times over the years. The lake still
exists and is part of Harbor Regional Park (name not current). The bluff is still visible.
Fr. Fermin Lasuen built an adobe shelter here in 1796. Now site of the post engineer's building. Lasuen considered a mission site in San Pedro area. Point Fermin (named for him) was one potential site. Engineer Building, Building 91 near
Quartermaster Road and Quartermaster Court, Middle Reservation, Fort MacArthur, 2500 S. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro. It is now known as the Los Angeles Air Force Base Housing. You need permission to enter.
2500 S Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731 Map
It was on the Newhall side of the pass. Built in September 1863 by A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins. Tolls ranged from 25 cents for a single horse and rider up to $2 for a team of twelve or more horses. Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has
the photo of this place. Sierra Highway on mile north of its junction with Interstate 5, Santa Clarita.
On a mesa overlooking Castaic Junction, Santa Clarita. Established in 1804 on property belonging to the San Fernando Mission to prevent homesteading in the area. It was built of adobe on the bluff overlooking the junction of Castaic Creek and the
Santa Clara River. It was 105 feet long and 17 feet wide. It was used as a granary and other necessary rooms. It had dirt floors, white washed adobe walls 2 feet, 10 inches thick. Sometime later a second adobe structure was built and it was 107 feet, 4
inches long and 22 feet, 8 inches wide. It had five rooms, with the largest having a barred tiled roof and an alter. This was north of the original structure, right next to the precipice that dropped off to the valley floor below. Gated adobe walls ran
between the two long, low buildings, both front and back, forming an enclosed courtyard. A small adobe milk house with a red-tiled roof sat down the hill from the main complex in a small canyon. In 1839, Don Antonio Del Valle moved his family into the
Asistencia, where he presided over his 48,829 acre Rancho San Francisco. The adobe buildings were destroyed in the 1857 Fort Tejon Earthquake.
Chari was a French sailor who jumped ship and became a Mexican citizen. He established Rancho Del Buque (Ship Ranch) which would later be misspelled as Bouquet Canyon, changing the name from "boat" to "flowers".
Bouquet Canyon, Santa Clarita, CA Map
Two miles west of Green Valley. It served as a stage stop when the Butterfield Stage passed this way from 1858 to 1861. It stood until the 1960s. It was torn down, but a later two-story adobe stands next to the site and is still occupied.
38839 San Francisquito Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 Map
| Heritage Park, Norwalk Blvd and Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs. May have been built in 1815. This area became known as Fulton Wells and was a stage stop for the Banning Stage Lines. Foundations only. |
12100 East Mora Drive, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Map
562 946-6476
FPF Temple Adobe Homesite (Temple Hacienda)
Enrique Sepulveda Adobe (Rancho San Pascual)
Manuel Garfias Adobe (Rancho San Pascual) Est. c 1853
Martinez Adobe Est. 1840s
Ricardo Vejar's 2nd Adobe (Rancho Las Nogales)
Jose Dolores Sepulveda Homesite Est. 1818
Rancho El Escorpion Adobes Est. 1870s
Greek George Caralambo's Adobe
Adobe Sites - Westlake Village
Juan Dominguez Adobe (Triunfo) Est. c 1837
Jose Manuel Nieto's Adobe Est. c 1784
Further Reading
Adobe Days by Sarah Bixby Smith ISBN 0-8032-9178-7 Many thanks to my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Mary Yates for giving me an appreciation of early California history. Related Links
California Mission Studies Association
Rosemead Boulevard and Durfee Avenue (Four Corners) east of Montebello city limits.
Rosemead Boulevard and Durfee Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733 Map
Near Manuel Garfias along the Arroyo Seco, South Pasadena.
It was built around 1853 by Juan Perez. Garfias lived here after Perez either died or abandoned the adobe. It was across the street from Arroyo Seco Park.
424 Arroyo Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Map
Built in the 1840s by Santiago Martinez.
Vejar Avenue, Walnut, CA Map
North of Valley Boulevard near Pierre Road, Walnut. It was actually on Rancho Las Nogales (owned by the Vejar Family). The adobe still stood in 1939 and was owned by E.R. Forster.
California State Historic Landmark 383
At the foot of Palos Verdes Hills on or at the end Madison Street (at Rolling Hills Road) in the Walteria section of Torrance. Built in 1818. While en route back from a trip to Monterey, Jose Dolores Sepulveda was killed during an Indian uprising
at Mission La Purisima Concepcion in 1824. State Landmark No. 383. No monument.
Southwest corner of Bell Canyon and Valley Circle Boulevard, West Hills. The adobe house of Rancho El Escorpion lasted until the late 1940s. Miguel Leonis built an adobe barn here in the 1870s. It stood until the 1960s. Photo of the barn on Page 92
of Casas and Courtyards. There was another adobe house nearby. The two adobe houses were west of the barn. They may have been 4 altogether in this area. They sat in the shadow of nearby Castle Peak. Charles A. Bell (1863-1917) a lawyer and the son of
Major Horace Bell (1830-1918) lived here in later years. Bell Canyon is named for him. Horace Bell lived here for about a year as well. The adobes were just outside the Rancho El Escorpion northwest boundaries. They were on public land. John P.
Harrington describes these adobe building in some detail in 1915. Several photos of these structures can be found in the Security Pacific Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library or at the Leonis Adobe. There are mentioned and photos are shown in
several books about the area.
Bell Canyon and Valley Circle Boulevard, West Hills, CA Map
California State Historic Landmark 646
It was an "L" shaped adobe. Greek George drove the US Government's camels (US Camel Corps) in the late 1850s. Camels were kept at Ft. Tejon and Drum Barracks. This is the adobe where the bandit Tiburcio Vasquez was captured on May 5, 1874 by
Sheriff Billy Rowland and his posse. Greek George was born in Asia Minor (Izmir, Turkey) and was naturalized as a US citizen in 1867 under the name George Allen. Greek George died on September 2, 1913 and is burried in Founder's Memorial Park in
Whittier. His grave is State Historic Landmark No. 646. The adobe disappeared long ago.
Santa Monica Blvd and Kings Road, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Map
At the convergence of Lindero Canyon and Triunfo Canyon, Westlake Village. It was near today's Westlake Dam. Built circa 1837. Juan Dominguez (not the same as Juan Dominguez of Rancho San Pedro) at the time was owned the Rancho Las Virgines (later
owned by Miguel Leonis). He applied for the rights to the area known as Triunfo, because he thought it was unclaimed. The homesite was actually on Rancho Conejo. Claim to the land was in dispute for over 30 years. Most of the land was given to the
Reyes Family in the partition of 1874. Much of this land is now under Westlake.
On the east bank of the San Gabriel River about 1/2 mile south of El Camino Viejo (Whittier Boulevard). The approxiamate site would be the 6600 block of Pioneer Boulevard in Whittier. Built about 1784 when he was granted 300,000 Rancho Los Nietos.
Later it was reduced to 167,000 acres. Nieto was the richest man in California at the time. Nieto died at his adobe in 1804 at age 85. His adobe home stood until it was washed away during the floods of 1860-61.
6600 block of Pioneer Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90606 Map
Architecture in Los Angeles: A Compleat Guide by David Gebhard ASIN: 087905087X
California 1850: A Snapshot in Time by Janice Marschner ISBN: 0967706947
Casas & Courtyards: Historic Adobe Houses of California by Helen S. Giffen
Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County by John R. Kielbasa ISBN: 0-8059-4172-X
Historic Spots in California by Mildred Brooke Hoover ISBN: 0804717346
Los Angeles County Historical Directory by Janet I. Atkinson
Mailbu, A Nature Story by Vance Joseph Hoyt
The Rancho San Pedro by Robert C. Gillingham
Sixty Years in Southern California 1853-1913 by Harris Newmark
Haciendas in Los Angeles by Dan A. Joseffini