Martinez in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Vicente Martinez Adobe - 1849

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

1. The Vicente Martinez Adobe - 1849 Marker

Inscription. Vicente Martínez was born in Santa Barbara on August 18, 1818, the second son of Don Ygnacio and Martina de Arellano Martínez who were married in the Presidio Chapel at Santa Barbara 1802. Don Ygnacio Martínez was a Spanish officer at San Diego and Santa Barbara 1788-1819 and became Comandante of the Presidio of San Francisco 1822-1831 and in 1837 was the third mayor of San Francisco. Rancho Pinole was granted to him in 1823 and he moved his family there in 1836 naming his home Nuestra Senora de la Merced being among the earliest settlers of the Contra Costa. The town of Martinez was named for him. Upon retiring from military service September 30, 1831, he moved his family to the Pueblo de San Jose Guadalupe. At Don Ygnacio's death June 18, 1848, Vicente Martínez inherited this portion of Rancho Pinole and built this adobe in 1849. He sold the adobe on October 6, 1853, to Edward Franklin for whom Franklin Canyon was named. Dr. John T. Strenzel, father-in-law of John Muir, California naturalist, bought this property from Edward Franklin in 1875.

Erected 1955 by Contra Costa County Historical Society. (Marker Number 511.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 18, 1848.

Location. 37° 59.469′ N, 122° 8.014′ W. Marker is in Martinez, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from Alhambra Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted on the front of the adobe building which is located at the rear of the grounds of the John Muir National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez CA 94553, 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. National Treasures (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vicente Martinez Adobe (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Muir Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); 3220 Alhambra (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Christian Brothers Winery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Former Masonic Lodge Site (approx. 1.6 miles away); 1124 Ferry Street (approx. 1.6 miles away); Birthplace of The Martini (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinez.

Vicente Martinez Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

2. Vicente Martinez Adobe

The marker is visible between the entrance door and the window seen at the top of the stairs.

The Vicente Martinez Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

3. The Vicente Martinez Adobe

Time Honored Adobe Construction image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

4. Time Honored Adobe Construction

This cut-away reveals the traditional adobe bricks used in building this house. The Anza settlers and those that followed brought with them their knowledge of making bricks from local sand, clay and water.

Juan de Bautista National HistoricTrail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

5. Juan de Bautista National HistoricTrail

This sign, located on the front porch, announces the de Anza Exhibit which is located in the main room of the adobe.

Juan de Bautista National Historic Trail Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, December 21, 2011

6. Juan de Bautista National Historic Trail Exhibit

An example of informational exhibits on display inside the adobe.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,256 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 30, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on December 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.