A question lingers in the sun-baked air. What stories do these adobe walls hold? Right here we stand before the Rómulo Pico Adobe. It is also known as the Andrés Pico Adobe. This historic landmark whispers tales of early California. It is a monument to the Pico family’s legacy.
The Andrés Pico Adobe is the oldest residence in the San Fernando Valley. It is the second oldest in Los Angeles. Built in 1834 it stands a short distance from the San Fernando Mission. The Andrés Pico Adobe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Native Americans from the San Fernando Mission built the original adobe. They were Tongva-Fernandeño Tataviam-Fernandeño and Chumash-Ventuaño people. The adobe was in the center of the Mission’s orchards and vineyards. Before 1846 the original adobe was just the living room.
In 1845 Juan Manso and Andrés Pico leased the Mission San Fernando lands. Pío Pico granted them this lease. In 1846 Eulogio de Celis bought the secularized Mission lands. This included the Andrés Pico Adobe. The dining room and library were added during de Celis’ ownership.
De Celis left the property in 1853. He sold Andrés Pico half interest in the Rancho. This included the southern half of the Valley the San Fernando Mission and the adobe. The adobe’s use is unknown for the next 20 years.
In 1873 Rómulo Pico and his father Andrés Pico found the house dilapidated. Rómulo restored the Andrés Pico Adobe. He added a kitchen and two side wings. He also installed wooden flooring. A second story was added around 1873. Rómulo lived there with his wife Catarina Pico and family.
Rómulo and Catarina Pico lived at Ranchito Rómulo for many years. They moved to Los Angeles later. They kept the Andrés Pico Adobe until the late 1890s. They used it for overnight stays during visits to the valley. Afterwards it was rented sold and eventually abandoned. The structure deteriorated and suffered vandalism. Thieves searched for buried gold and treasure.
In 1930 Mark Raymond Harrington bought the abandoned property. He was the curator of the Southwest Museum. Harrington restored the Andrés Pico Adobe. He replaced damaged adobe blocks and added new timbers floors and a staircase. He also built an addition a fireplace and a garage.
In 1965 the City of Los Angeles purchased the property. The Andrés Pico Adobe was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The city repaired the damage. The Department of Recreation and Parks manages the exterior and grounds.
Today the San Fernando Valley Historical Society manages the adobe itself. It operates a living museum there. The Andrés Pico Adobe hosts meetings weddings and special events. Rancho Days and Las Posadas are two notable annual events.
The Andrés Pico Adobe is a designated historic site at the city state and national level. It has been recognized as a California Historical Landmark and a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
As you stand here remember the layers of history. The Native American builders the Pico family and the preservation efforts. The Andrés Pico Adobe stands as a testament to the past. It ensures that the stories of the San Fernando Valley will continue.