Title supplied by cataloger. Don Francisco Avila, a wealthy cattle rancher and one-time Mayor of the pueblo of Los Angeles, built the Avila Adobe in 1818. The Avila Adobe, presently the oldest existing residence within the city limits, was one of the first town houses to share street frontage in the new Pueblo de Los Angeles. The original structure was nearly twice as long as it is now, and was L-shaped with a wing that extended nearly to the center of Olvera Street, which was the town's plaza. Don Francisco died on April 5, 1832 and his widow Don~a Encarnacio´n remained at the adobe until her death in 1855. After that, various family members rented the house over the next few years, but the house was not maintained and eventually began to rapidly deteriorate. An 1870 earthquake damaged the structure even more, causing it to fall into ruin, and in 1928, the City of Los Angeles condemned it. It was around this time that Mrs. Christine Sterling, and English socialite from San Francisco, immediately took an interest in the Avila Adobe. She acted quickly to get a stay on the condemnation of the adobe, and tracking down the owner of the building (who happened to be a member of one of the original families) agreed to rent the adobe for a nominal amount. The adobe underwent the necessary renovations to keep it from being demolished, and eventually, it was completely restored to its former glory representative of the days of the Dons. In 1953, the State of California acquired the Avila Adobe as part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park, and Mrs. Sterling remained in the house until her death in 1963. In 1971 the Sylmar Earthquake cause major damage to the adobe, and the house was closed to tours until a $120,000 and five-year restoration could be completed. A new structure added to the rear of the building was set up as a memorial to Mrs. Sterling. The Avila Adobe, located at East 10 Olvera Street, has now been opened to tours since 1976. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is California State Landmark No. 145. Partial exterior view of the Avila Adobe on Olvera Street. Decorative plates being sold at a puesto, or vending stand, are seen on the left. Dated March 19, 1956.
Type
image
Format
1 slide :color ;5 x 5 cm. Photographic color slides
Avila Adobe (Los Angeles, Calif.) Adobe houses--California--Los Angeles Plates (Tableware)--California--Los Angeles Vending stands--California--Los Angeles California Historical Landmarks Olvera Street (Los Angeles, Calif.) El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument (Los Angeles, Calif.) Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.) Slides
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