Historic building in Sonoma, California
The Salvador Vallejo Adobe is a historic building located in Sonoma, California in the United States. The building is a California Historic Landmark.
History
The home was originally built by "Indian laborers" for Salvador and María de Carrillo Vallejo.[4][5] The home was built circa 1836.[1][2] Carrillo Vallejo decorated interior with imported furniture, embroidery (made by Indian servants[2]), engravings, and Catholic art. Edwin Bryant described the parlor as being decorated with "handsome chairs, sofas, mirrors and tables of mahogany frame work and a fine piano , the first I have seen in the country." The house was considered very luxurious at the time.[4] When the Bear Flag Revolt took place, the insurgents occupied the house.[1] Saldavor Vallejo was captured and held at Sutter's Fort.[2] After the revolt, the Vallejo's struggled to reclaim their property. The family decided to move to Napa, California.[5]
After the Vallejo's moved to Napa, the adobe was used as barracks for American soldiers.[2] It then became a Presbyterian co-ed boarding school called Cumberland College from 1858 until 1864.[5][6] In February 1867, the main wing of the house was destroyed in a fire. The structure that remains today are the former servant quarters.[7]
The building was owned by the Aguillon family.[2] However, by June 1952, John West owned the adobe.[1][8] West and his wife lived in San Francisco and used the property as a weekend home.[1] The structure was named a California Historic Landmark on December 16, 1952.[3][2] A Mrs. Albert Magnum also lived in an apartment on the property in 1952.[2]
The building has served as a retail establishment, a Masonic temple, a post office, and a courthouse. [1][2][7][9] Today, the building houses a restaurant, a retail shop, and an upstairs residence.
Architecture
The adobe structure is located on the westside of the historic Sonoma Plaza.[4]
In 1951, then owner John West hired a carpenter to add build a balcony over the sidewalk. The balcony, which remains today, extends from the north to south side of the building facing the Sonoma Plaza.[1] They also installed window shelving, tile flooring, fluorescent lights, and redwood siding on the walls.[1]
The West's also installed a large garden on the west side of the property. It included a redwood shrine to the Virgin Mary.[1][8] Today, it serves as an al fresco dining area for the Sonoma Caffé restaurant.
A large plaque designating it a California Historic Landmark is adhered to the front of the building.[3]
References
