Rómulo Pico Adobe

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Rómulo Pico Adobe
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
(L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument #7)
Rómulo Pico Adobe, 2008
Location:	10940 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, California
Coordinates:	34°16′8″N 118°28′3″W / 34.26889, -118.4675
Built/Founded:	1853
Architect:	Unknown
Architectural style(s):	No Style Listed
Added to NRHP:	13 Nov 1966[1]
Designated as LAHCM:	September 21, 1962[2]
NRHP Reference#:	66000211
LAHCM #:	7
Governing body:	Local

Rómulo Pico Adobe, also known as Ranchito Rómulo and Andres Pico Adobe, was built in 1853 and is the oldest residence in the San Fernando Valley,^[3] and the second oldest residence in the City of Los Angeles. Located in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles, the Rómulo Pico Adobe is a short distance from the San Fernando Mission. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Contents 1 Early history 2 Deterioration and restoration 3 Current use as a living museum 4 Designation as historic site 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Early history

Located on Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills, the original part of the Romulo Pico Adobe was built in 1834 by Indians from the San Fernando Mission.^[4] The original purpose of the structure is unknown, though the structure was located in the center of the ex-mission orchards and surrounding vineyards.

Before 1846, the original adobe consisted of what is now the living room. Eulogio de Celis acquired nearly the entire San Fernando Valley in 1846, including the Pico Adobe. The dining room and library were added during the time of de Celis' ownership.^[3] De Celis vacated the property in 1853, and Andres Pico acquired an undivided half interest in the Valley, which included the adboe and the San Fernando Mission. It is unknwown if the adobe was used for any purpose for the next 20 years. In 1873, Romulo and Andres Pico found the house in a dilapidated state as a result of abandonment.^[3] Romulo is credited for restoring the adobe and adding a kitchen and two side wings. He also placed wooden flooring over the original tile floor. A second story was added in approximately 1873,^[4] the same year Andres Pico sold most of his land in the San Fernando Valley to George H. Porter. Romulo and Catarina continued to live at "Ranchito Romulo" (Romulo's Little Ranch) for many years before moving to Los Angeles.^[5] They kept the adobe until the late 1890s, using it for overnight stays during return visits to the valley. In the following years it was rented or sold several times, eventually being abandoned.^[3] The vacant structure deteriorated and was subjected to vandalims during the first two decades of the 20th Century. Thieves and scavengers picked apart the adobe, including some that dug up the floors and knocked down walls in search of fabled treasure buried.^[3]

[edit] Deterioration and restoration

The adobe was allowed to deteriorate in the early 20th Century, and treasure hungers began to dig up the walls, having been told of buried treasure. In 1930, Mark R. Harrington, curator of the Southwest Museum, purchased the property from the heirs of the Lopez family. Harrington restored the adobe after acquiring it. He later wrote: "When I took over the Romulo Pico house about 1930 the walls were still standing, but the roof, stairway, doors, windows, and many of the window and door frames were missing; also most of the cross beams and most of the floor. I did not 'rebuild' the walls, but I did replace three or four layers of adobe blocks around the top of the walls, the originals having been damaged by the weather. I put in new timbers, new floors, and a new staircase. I regard the main building as having been built in the Mission period - probably early 1830's, the wings possibly added by the Picos. ... The only changes I made were to build an addition to the north wing of the house; put a fireplace in the living room (only the dining room had one originally), rebuild the patio walls and build a garage."^[5]

[edit] Current use as a living museum

In 1965, the City of Los Angeles purchased the property. The adobe was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The City removed the chimney, and a section of the office wall which separated had to be repaired. The exterior and grounds are administered by the City Department of Recreation and Parks. The adobe itself is managed by the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, which restored the interior and operates a "living museum" at the adobe. The adobe is also used for the Historical Society's monthly meetings, weddings, receptions, breakfasts, dinners, and picnics. Two special affairs are "Rancho Days", depicting early California living, held on the third Sunday of September; and Las Posadas, the enactment of the Mexican Christmas procession on the Saturday before Christmas.^[6]

[edit] Designation as historic site

The Pico Adobe has been listed as a historic building at the city, state, and national level as follows:

• In 1939, the adobe was registered as California Historical Landmark #362.^[4]
• In 1962, the City of Los Angeles included the Pico Adobe and the Leonis Adobe in its first group of Cultural-Historic Monuments. As of 2007, there were over 850 such monuments, and the Pico Adobe bears the designation as Cultural-Historic Monument #7.^[7]
• In 1966, the adobe was listed on the National Register of Historical Places.^[1]

[edit] See also

• List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• San Fernando Valley Historical Society: Andres Pico Adobe
• City of Los Angeles Dept. of Parks and Recreation: Andres Pico Adobe
• California Office of Historic Preservation: Rómulo Pico Adobe (Ranchito Rómulo)

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