Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Casa Bonifacio

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 12, 2013

1. Site of Casa Bonifacio Marker

Inscription. Location of the original “Sherman Rose Adobe” prior to its relocation to Mesa Road. Robert Louis Stevenson and William Tecumseh Sherman were guests here.

Erected by Monterey History & Art Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 36° 35.942′ N, 121° 53.664′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. Marker is at the intersection of Bonifacio Place and Alvarado Street, on the right when traveling west on Bonifacio Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Bonifacio Place, Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hellam's Tobacco Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Golden State Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Estrada Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Casa Sanchez (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodriguez – Osio Adobe (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home of Juan Bautista Alvarado (about 500 feet away); Site of Simoneau’s Restaurant (about 500 feet away); Casa Serrano (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Regarding Site of Casa Bonifacio.

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The Casa Bonifacio once stood on Alvarado at Bonifacio Place, but has been moved to 785 Mesa Road. There is a legend about the place that is the source of its alternate name, "The House of the Sherman Rose." While Lieutenant William T. Sherman was stationed at Monterey in the late 1840s, he called several times at the home where Señorita Maria Ygnacia Bonifacio lived. On one of these visits, so the story goes, he unpinned a rose from his uniform (a most unlikely embellishment) and planted it in her garden, saying that if it took root and grew, their love would endure. The flower grew into a marvelous rose tree (or so the story goes) that almost covered the adobe and was the admiration of tourists for many years. Sherman never returned and Señorita Bonifacio never married. -- Historic Spots in California, 4th edition, page 229.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - The current location of the adobe.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013

2. Site of Casa Bonifacio Marker

The marker is on the right side of the building in front of the second blue awning.

Casa Bonifacio image. Click for full size.

By Lee Blaisdell, photo courtesy Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library, Monterey History and Art Association, circa 1950

3. Casa Bonifacio

The original “Sherman Rose Adobe,” moved from its site on Calle Alvarado. The old rose still flourishes over the arbor.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on February 26, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on April 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.