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

Mother Colony House

Library Landmarks Register

— Friends of Libraries USA —

Mother Colony House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 4, 2014

1. Mother Colony House Marker

Inscription. The first house built in Anaheim (1857). It was here that Henryk Sienkiewicz resided with Madame Helena Modjeska in 1876. He is one of the most popular Polish writers and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1905 for his outstanding merits as an epic writer. He is best known as the author of Quo Vadis. While in Anaheim, he wrote Lity z podrozy (Letters from a Journey) and was inspired to write two short stories about Orange County: "A Comedy of Errors" and "Orso: An American Hercules" (set in Anaheim). This site is dedicated a Literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries USA.

Erected 2008 by Friends of Libraries USA.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Literary Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 33° 50.175′ N, 117° 55.688′ W. Marker is in Anaheim, California, in Orange County. It is on West Street near Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 N West St, Anaheim CA 92801, 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: A different marker also named Mother Colony House (here, next to this marker); a different marker

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also named Mother Colony House (here, next to this marker); Architectural Sampler (here, next to this marker); A Utopian Dream (within shouting distance of this marker); Outdoor Living (within shouting distance of this marker); Wind and Water / Anaheim Agriculture (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of San Pedro Gate (approx. ¼ mile away); The Beck House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaheim.

Also see . . . Literary Landmark: Mother Colony House - Henryk Sienkiewicz. Official American Library Association page explaining the literary significance of this landmark. Additional resources & links are included. (Submitted on August 10, 2025, by Annette Fillmore of York, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 4, 2014

2. Mother Colony House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on August 10, 2025, by Annette Fillmore of York, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.