San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of the Valenzuela Adobe

Valenzuela Adobe Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, June 28, 2008

1. Valenzuela Adobe Marker

Inscription. Antonio Valenzuela, early pioneer of the town of San Juan Capistrano, built the adobe in the early 1840s, probably on the ruins of a mission Indian adobe dating to the 1790s. Later Valenzuela family members worked as local cowboys or vaqueros. The adobe was damaged by fire in 1879; rebuilt ca. 1900, some portions endured until the 1960s. This site was also occupied by several thousand years ago by ancestors of the Juaneno (Acagchemen) Indians, as shown by artifacts recovered during 1988 excavations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 33° 30.077′ N, 117° 39.771′ W. Marker is in San Juan Capistrano, California, in Orange County. It is on Camino Capistrano, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano CA 92675, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franciscan Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Nick's Café (within shouting distance of this marker); Avila Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Juan Capistrano (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); San Juan Capistrano Mission

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(about 300 feet away); Capistrano Depot (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Capistrano Depot (about 300 feet away); The Great Stone Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan Capistrano.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mission San Juan Capistrano (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Site of the Valenzuela Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, June 28, 2008

2. Site of the Valenzuela Adobe

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,317 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.