Adobe Flores
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Adobe Flores is a small historic adobe house on Foothill Street in South Pasadena, on land once part of Rancho San Pascual. Early historians dated it to 1839 and linked it to Jose Perez, but later research suggests it was built between 1843 and 1846 for the foreman of Col. Manuel Garfias. It began as an L-shaped adobe and was later made U-shaped by a wooden wing. Its name honors General Jose Maria Flores, whose retreating Mexican forces used the building as headquarters in 1846 while drafting terms of capitulation to Lt. Col. Fremont, leading to the Cahuenga Capitulation Treaty. In 1919 architect Carleton Winslow oversaw a restoration that added a tile roof and a brick wing plastered to resemble adobe. In the 1920s it served as a tearoom visited by writers, actors and artists. A 1932 guest wing was removed in 1968, and the house remains in very good condition as a private residence.
Significance in brief: The adobe is tied to the end of the Mexican-American War in California. General Jose Maria Flores and his staff headquartered here and drew up the terms of capitulation to Lt. Col. Fremont, which led to the Cahuenga Capitulation Treaty. The form also notes its architecture and its 1919 restoration by architect Carleton Winslow, and its later use as a tearoom that drew writers, actors and artists.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000404, listed June 18, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1804 Foothill St., South Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | June 18, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000404 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1843-46, possibly 1839) |
| Architect / builder | Carleton Winslow (1919 restoration architect); built c. 1843-46 for Col. Manuel Garfias' ranch foreman, per the form |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in very good condition and occupied as a private residence; nearby apartment construction encroaches on the setting. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 34.11966, -118.14564 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000404.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q38250994
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.