Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
House of Four Winds
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein
1. House of Four WInds Marker
Four Winds
Built in the late 1830's
by Thomas Oliver Larkin
Traditionally used as an
early Hall of Records
Monterey History & Art Assn.
Courtesy Thomson J. Hudson
Memorial Fund
Erected by Monterey History and Art Association. (Marker Number 353.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.
Location. 36° 35.854′ N, 121° 53.777′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It is on Calle Principal 0.1 miles south of Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 540 Calle Principal, Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically on the Coast 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Quarters of General William Tecumseh Sherman (within shouting distance of this marker); Larkin House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Larkin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Chestnut Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Casa Amesti (within shouting distance of this marker); Moon Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Casa Gutierrez (within shouting distance of this marker); 19th Century Sailing Ship's Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.
More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a head-height pole directly in front of the building.
Regarding House of Four Winds. This charming house, sometimes called in Spanish La Casa de Los Vientos, acquired its name by the mid-1800s, because it was the first house in Monterey with a weathervane on its hipped roof. Built about 1835, the adobe was
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 23, 2010
2. Casa de los Cuatro Vientos
The House of Four Winds is owned by the Monterey Civic Club.
The House of Four Winds was registered as California Historical Landmark Number 353 on October 9, 1939.
Photographed by Robert W. Kerrigan, May 13, 1936
3. House of Four Winds
This view of the House of Four Winds, taken in 1936 for the Historic American Buildings Survey, shows a marker similar in style and wording to the current marker. The wording differs slightly, however, reading, "Built in the 1830's by Thomas Oliver Larkin in his garden. Named for weather vane. Traditionally used as early house of records."
March 23, 2010
4. House of Four Winds
The marker is visible on the left side of the picture, in the shadows.
circa 1930s
5. House of Four Winds
A Pacific Novelty Company of San Francisco postcard.
Photographed by B.W. White, Monterey, Ca
6. House of Four Winds
This rambling old structure was the first in this community to boast of a weather vane. From this fact and that also its roof slopes four ways, it received the above name. It was built by Thomas O. Larkin in 1834 and was the first Hall of Records of the state.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,239 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on October 11, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5, 6. submitted on July 27, 2010. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
