Lopez Adobe
Also known as: La Casa De Don Geronimo Adobe
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Why it's listed
Built in 1882-1883 by Valentino Lopez, this two-story adobe stands at the northwest corner of Maclay and Pico streets in San Fernando. Its walls are two feet thick, and porches with hand-cut railings wrap the front and both ends on the lower and upper levels. A tile roof added about 1928 replaced the original shakes. It was the first two-story adobe in the San Fernando Valley built as a residence, and it is regarded as the oldest remaining building in the city. Geronimo Lopez and his wife Catalina, among the first residents of San Fernando, later lived here after moving from Lopez Station, and the Lopez family's descendants kept the house until the early 1960s. The first newspaper in the valley was reportedly published in the house for a year in 1888. The nomination presents the house as an outstanding example of early California architecture from the period between the decline of the missions and the arrival of American settlers.
Significance in brief: It is described as apparently the oldest remaining building and the oldest standing adobe in San Fernando, and the first two-story adobe in the San Fernando Valley built as a residence. It is called an outstanding example of early California architecture from the transition after the missions. It was also home to Don Geronimo and Catalina Lopez, the city's first residents, and their descendants.
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 71000157, listed May 6, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1100 Pico St., San Fernando |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 6, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000157 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | Valentino Lopez (builder) |
| Architectural style | Early California adobe |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, altered, on its original site; described as in excellent physical condition needing minimal restoration, with interior apartments somewhat altered and modernized. Checked as both occupied and unoccupied, with use as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.28199, -118.44333 (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 71000157.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6676173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.