Larkin House
Encyclopedia
The Larkin House, located at 464 Calle Principale, Monterey, California
was built in 1835 by Thomas O. Larkin
. It is claimed that the house was the first two story house in all of California
, and that it was the first house with a fireplace
in Monterey. The design combined Spanish Colonial building methods with New England
architectural features and originated the popular Monterey Colonial style
of architecture. The Larkin House is a National Historic Landmark
.
in business. Larkin became the most influential American in Monterey, Alta California
. He served as the only United States
consul to Mexico
in Monterey. Monterey expanded beyond the old Spanish Presidio walls. Many leading citizens built their large houses using white wash, sun dried adobe bricks.
The Larkin House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is part of the larger Monterey State Historic Park
which is itself designated a National Historic Landmark District.
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
was built in 1835 by Thomas O. Larkin
Thomas O. Larkin
Thomas Oliver Larkin was an early American emigrant to Alta California and a signer of the original California Constitution. He was the United States' first and only consul to the California Republic.-Early years:...
. It is claimed that the house was the first two story house in all of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and that it was the first house with a fireplace
Fireplace
A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
in Monterey. The design combined Spanish Colonial building methods with New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
architectural features and originated the popular Monterey Colonial style
Monterey Colonial architecture
Monterey Colonial is an architectural style developed in Alta California involving two stories, porches, a hip roof, and adobe walls. It was supposedly originated by Thomas O. Larkin who had moved from New England to Monterey, California and built the Larkin House in 1835...
of architecture. The Larkin House is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
History
In 1832 Thomas O. Larkin joined his half brother John B.R. CooperJohn B.R. Cooper
John Bautista Rogers Cooper was born in England and raised in Massachusetts. He came to California as master of the ship Rover, and was a pre-gold rush pioneer of Monterey, California...
in business. Larkin became the most influential American in Monterey, Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
. He served as the only United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
consul to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in Monterey. Monterey expanded beyond the old Spanish Presidio walls. Many leading citizens built their large houses using white wash, sun dried adobe bricks.
The Larkin House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is part of the larger Monterey State Historic Park
Monterey State Historic Park
Monterey State Historic Park is a historic state park located in Monterey, California. It includes part or all of the Monterey Old Town Historic District, a historic district which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark...
which is itself designated a National Historic Landmark District.
External links
- Official Larkin House website
- official Monterey State Historic Park website
- Larkin House Survey: 13 photos, 15 drawings, 7 data pages, and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey