The Oldest House in California Still Stands Strong After 233 Years

The oldest house in California is the Pablo Pryor Adobe, which is also known as the Hide House. Hides from the Mission San Juan Capistrano were tanned and stored here between 1820 and 1840. It is still a private residence today.

The house stands on the Rancho Boca de la Playa, a 6,607-acre land grant. Originally, this land was owned by Mexico. However, it was owned by the United States after the Mexican-American War. It was the most southerly grant in Orange Country, extending along the Pacific coast.

History of the Pable Pryor Adobe

Emigdio Véjar was born in Los Angeles. He was a majordomo at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, as well as a Justice of the Peace. He then married and stepped down from his position at the mission, giving it to John Forster. One year later, he received one and a half square leagues from the mission land.

In 1848 (two years after receiving his land grant), the Mexican-American Way led to the cession of California to the United States. However, the treaty required that all land grants be honored, so Emigdio kept his land.

He made his claim in 1852 in accordance with the Land Act of 1851, and the grant was patented several years later (1879, to be exact).

In 1860, he sold the land to Juan Avila, who later gave it to his son-in-law, Pablo Pryor. However, he was poisoned and died in 1878. After that, the history is a bit up in the air. Today, the property is still privately owned and cannot be visited.

Other Historic Buildings in California

There are many historic buildings up and down California.

The Serra Chapel in San Juan Capistrano is the oldest building, built in 1782. It was part of Mission San Juan Capistrano. The second oldest building is El Cuartel in Santa Barbara, which was built in the same year. It was originally used as a barracks.

There are many older homes, too. For instance, Peralta Adobe in San Jose was built in 1797, seven years after Pable Pryor Adobe.

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