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

Rancho Los Putos

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2008

1. Rancho Los Putos Marker

Inscription. This is the site of Rancho Los Putos of 10 square leagues granted in 1845 by Governor Pio Pico granted to Juan Felipe Peña and Manuel Cabeza Vaca. The Peña Adobe, erected here in 1842, is still owned by the descendants of the Pena-Vaca families. The town of Vacaville nearby, was established in 1851 on land sold by Vaca to William McDaniel.

Erected 1955 by Vacaville Parlor No. 293, Native Daughters of the Golden West in Cooperation with the California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 534.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 38° 20.254′ N, 122° 0.92′ W. Marker is in Vacaville, California, in Solano County. Marker can be reached from Pena Adobe Road. Take Pena Adobe Rd interchange on I-80, go NE 0.5 mi on Pena Adobe Rd to Pena Adobe Park, Vacaville. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vacaville CA 95688, 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. William Gordon Huff (here, next to this marker); Pioneer Monument (a few steps from

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this marker); Peña Adobe Park (a few steps from this marker); Unknown Pioneer Ranchers (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Valley (approx. half a mile away); Uncle Burt's Tree (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Andrew Carnegie Public Library (approx. 1.9 miles away); Barcar Building (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vacaville.

More about this marker. Site is a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 534) under the name Vaca-Pena Adobe.

Rancho Los Putos Marker and Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2008

2. Rancho Los Putos Marker and Adobe

Rancho Los Putos Adobe image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2008

3. Rancho Los Putos Adobe

Also known as the Vaca-Pena Adobe

Vaca-Pena Adobe State Landmark Directional Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 3, 2006

4. Vaca-Pena Adobe State Landmark Directional Sign

Juan Manual Vaca image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, May 1, 1981

5. Juan Manual Vaca

Vaca (after whom Vacaville was named) was the compadre of Pena and joint owner of Rancho los Putos. For a few years they enjoyed their fiestas, rodeos, fandangoes and horse races. Then the Americans came.

Juan Felipe Pena image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, May 1, 1981

6. Juan Felipe Pena

Pena, with his compadre, Vaca, was granted ten Spanish leagues of land in 1842. First called Lihuaytos, later Rancho los Putos. Both partners built adobe homes in Laguna Valley near the present site of Vacaville. The beautiful two-hundred acre Pena Adobe Park now occupies the heart of what was once Rancho los Putos.

Rancho Los Putos image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 3, 2006

7. Rancho Los Putos

Adobe Building Undergoing Renovation June 2006

Shrine on the Grounds of the Rancho Los Putos image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 3, 2006

8. Shrine on the Grounds of the Rancho Los Putos

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,286 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 5, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on April 20, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 7, 8. submitted on December 6, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.