Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Syd Whittle
Taken: January 10, 2009
Caption: Marker Located at Parking Area of Historical Park
Additional Description: Mariano Vallejo and “Mountain Tears” Welcome to “Lachryma Montis,” the home Mariano G. Vallejo built after California became an American state. General Vallejo was a leading military and political figure in this Mexican province before U.S. annexation, commanding its northern frontier for 14 years. He also owned two large ranchos, Soscol and Petaluma, which totaled more than 175,000 acres. Recognizing Mexico’s inability to govern faraway California, Vallejo supported the American takeover and later served as a senator in the first state legislature.
Vallejo’s house, finished in 1852, reflects his transition from Mexican to American culture – the Gothic-Victorian is insulated with adobe, a typical Mexican building material. Lachryma Montis, Latin for “mountain tears,” refers to a nearby spring that once supplied water to Vallejo’s estate and the town of Sonoma. Vallejo grew a large variety of trees and crops here and became a respected horticulturist known for a willingness to share his knowledge.
Note: Marker displays a sketch of General Vallejo and a site map of the park.
Submitted: January 14, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Database Locator Identification Number: p49973
File Size: 2.010 Megabytes

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