San Marino in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Michael White Adobe
“Casa Miguel Blanco”
Photographed By Craig Baker, January 22, 2020
1. Michael White Adobe Marker
Built about 1845 by Michael White or Miguel Blanco as he was called by the native Californians. One of the early foreigners to settle in California; sailor and soldier of fortune; a friendly, carefree man of roving disposition; a colorful and outspoken character.
Born in 1802 in Kent, England. Arrived in California in 1828. Traveled widely in lower California, New Mexico and the gold regions.
Married Maria del Rosario de Guillen at San Gabriel Mission in 1831. Her mother, Dona Eulalia Perez de Guillen, was considered one of the most remarkable women of early California history. Serving as a sort of Mother Superior at the Mission, she reputedly lived to be 108 years of age.
On March 27, 1845, the land upon which the old adobe now stands and adjacent water bearing lands were granted by Governor Pio Pico to “Miguel Blanco” for services rendered to the Mission by his wife and mother-in-law. It was not until 1872, however, that the patent to the land was finally issued by Ulysses S. Grant, president of the United States.
Michael White’s dwelling was restored during 1952 by K.L. Carver and a group of public spirited citizens of the San Gabriel Valley.
Erected 1956 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
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Location. 34° 7.593′ N, 118° 5.958′ W. Marker is in San Marino, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Huntington Drive west of San Gabriel Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Located on the campus of San Marino High School near the baseball field. Request a visitor pass from the office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2701 Huntington Drive, San Marino CA 91108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camellia Japonica ‘California’ (approx. 0.8 miles away); San Gabriel Mission Dam (approx. 0.8 miles away); George S. Patton, Jr. Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Hale Solar Laboratory (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tournament Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hameetman Center (approx. 1.6 miles away); Thornton Gardens (approx. 1.6 miles away); Karman Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Jet Propulsion (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marino.
Regarding Michael White Adobe.
Photographed By Craig Baker, January 22, 2020
2. Michael White Adobe and Marker
With California under Mexican rule in 1828, Michael White adopted the name Miguel Blanco and became a Mexican citizen in order to be married and own land.
In 1928, the San Marino School District acquired the adobe and its remaining land for a future school. Construction of an elementary school began after World War II, and San Marino High School relocated to the site in the mid-1950s. The school district built a swimming pool and athletic facilities around the adobe. The San Marino Historical Society operated from the adobe for years, and they led tours for the public and local school children until 1998, when they had to vacate the adobe due to campus construction. The adobe has been vacant ever since.
Photographed By Craig Baker, January 22, 2020
3. Michael White Adobe
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
