Lachryma Montis

Mariano Vallejo and “Mountain Tears” Welcome to “Lachryma Montis,” the home Mariano G. Vallejo built after California became an American state. General Vallejo was a leading military and political figure in this Mexican province before U.S. annexation, commanding its northern frontier for 14 years. He also owned two large ranchos, Soscol and Petaluma, which totaled more than 175,000 acres. Recognizing Mexico’s inability to govern faraway California, Vallejo supported the American takeover and later served as a senator in the first state legislature.
Vallejo’s house, finished in 1852, reflects his transition from Mexican to American culture – the Gothic-Victorian is insulated with adobe, a typical Mexican building material. Lachryma Montis, Latin for “mountain tears,” refers to a nearby spring that once supplied water to Vallejo’s estate and the town of Sonoma. Vallejo grew a large variety of trees and crops here and became a respected horticulturist known for a willingness to share his knowledge.
Note: Marker displays a sketch of General Vallejo and a site map of the park.

General Vallejo proudly referred to his new home as his "Yankee Home" and "Boston House." This new home was a great departure from the traditional adobe house the family once occupied close by. Built from a pre-fabricated wood frame manufactured in the northeast it represented an interest in Gothic architecture.

A large central room is the servants dining area. Stairs lead to a storage loft and informal sleeping quarters. At one time family meals were cooked here and taken to the Dining Room through the back hallway door. The west room served as a laundry and small scullery. The east room was used as a dormitory by the Chinese cook who replaced earlier Indian cooks.

The name suggests a place of bliss and ecstasy. It was here in Vallejo's later years he rewrote his History of California.
During the Spring and Summer it was sometimes used as a guest cottage. In earlier years the pavilion was located close to the reservoir and used as a changing room.

Dedicated to LUISA VALLEJO EMPARAN Daughter of GENERAL MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO and DONA FRANCISCA BENICIA CARRILLO First Curator, 1933 – 1943, Vallejo Home Here she was born Jan. 27, 1856 and where she was married August 23, 1882 to DON RICARDO DE EMPARAN and where her children were born, ANITA, CARLOS and RICHARD RAOUL.

The reservoir was constructed in the early 1850's to collect water from the springs in the hills above. The water was used for the estate crops, gardens and house. During the 1870's Vallejo developed the Sonoma Water Works to supplement his income and to supply water to local residents around the town square.

Often called Napoleon's Cabin after Vallejo's youngest son, this is a reconstruction. There is written family evidence that The Hermitage was actually built for Napoleon's older brother Platon, for his use during school vacations.

This Tudor style building once served as a storage house and granary. The building componets are thought to have been imported from Europe and elsewhere due to the construction material shortage during the Gold Rush era.
Today this building serves as the Visitor Center and Museum.

Description on Postcard:
An Old Landmark on Gen.Vallejo's Homestead, Sonoma, Cal.

Description on postcard:
LACHRYMA MONTIS (Mountain Tear), home of General MarianoG. Vallejo in Sonoma, California. Built in 1850, the home - now a museum - is a State Historical Monument, open to the public, under direction of the California Division of Beaches and Parks.