The California ranchos,
adobes and historic houses offer a glimpse into the
lifestyles and times of the early settlers who brought
commerce, agriculture and even a legal system to
California during the mid- to - late 1800's through the
early 20th century. Californians initially settled a mix
of ranch-style homes made from the local products such
as adobe brick to solid houses often utilizing
old-growth redwood native to California. By European
standards these houses and abodes are young, but vast
areas of California sit in earthquake fault zones that
have caused many buildings and structures to fall apart
or require reinforcement to meet structural standards
for safety. This means that many of the great homes and
museums have been damaged or destroyed with some being
rebuilt in the manner that most California missions have
been.
museums - tours
California has grown so rapidly in the past
century that the few historical houses and
buildings that exist are often turned into
museums. Below are a few examples of
facilities operated by nonprofit
organizations or public entities who allow
visitors to tour the buildings, usually for
a nominal fee or for free. The California
ranchos (a Spanish term for ranch), were
often built during the 1800's after the
Mexican government relinquished control of
the California land and sold it, often for
farms. Houses that remain were
sometimes of a Victorian or English style
adopted from places of European influence
from which many of their owners came.
Adobes were rustic homes made from the adobe
earthen brick or mud that is prevalent in
many regions of California. Those properties
were often built by Mexicans who were deeded
property by the Mexican government and
required to operate the lands on which the
adobes stand. Adobes could be simple
structures or large, fancy homes.
