Image courtesy of Nuestro Stories.
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, the new government wanted to encourage people —most of them retired soldiers from the war— to establish themselves in what was then known as Alta.
As an incentive, Mexico gave out hundreds of land grants, basically a gift of free real estate or property. Through the land grants, upwards of 14,000 square miles, which works out to a little less than nine million acres, were granted. Those nine million acres came together to form the Ranchos of California.
Initially awarded in 1834, Rancho Petaluma was one of the largest land grants, gifted to the successful war strategist and Mexican military leader of the age, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. The land grant would expand with the years until reaching 66 thousand acres and becoming the state's biggest, most prosperous, and most revered rancho.
Part of the rancho and what many considered the center point of the original grant, the Petaluma Adobe, was completed in 1846 and is the largest adobe structure in the United States.
Now deemed a National Historic Landmark, the Petaluma Adobe is a two-story structure with a wrap-around porch on both the first and second floors. The entire thing was built using traditional adobe brick construction methods, and all the wood was hand–hewn redwood local to the area. It took over a decade to complete.
Most of the labor was done by Coastal Miwok tribespeople, whether by choice or force.
The Rancho thrived until 1846, when the Bear Flag Revolt, a battle that ensued after a group of American settlers rebelled against Mexico, deeming California an independent republic. The settlers arrested Vallejo, and he was imprisoned for months before being released. Though the U.S. Government eventually recognized Vallejo’s claim to the land, he decided to get rid of the property, eventually selling it in 1857.
As of today, the structure is still standing and is now a part of the Petaluma State Historic Park.
Fun facts:
- Rancho Petaluma Adobe was built from adobe bricks in 1836 by order of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo.
- It was the largest privately owned adobe structure built in California.
- Rancho Petaluma is the largest example of the Monterey Colonial style of architecture in the United States.
- The Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park has preserved a section of the former ranch, and it is both a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
Things to know before you go:
- Rancho Petaluma Adobe is only open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Visitors can participate in candle-making, traditional period meal preparations, guided tours, and basket weaving when on site.
- The structure has been carefully maintained and is fully outfitted with everything from the period to give the full experience of life on the rancho.
Location: Sonoma, California, United States.
Address: 3295 Old Adobe Rd, Petaluma, CA
You can visit the Petaluma Ranch here.
