Pico, Romulo, Adobe
Why it's listed
This restored adobe at 10940 Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills began in the Mission era and was first used by Eulogio De Celis, a pioneer of the San Fernando area. It sits on land once owned by Mission San Fernando, and the form suggests part of the original structure may have been a mission building. Romulo Pico, son or adopted son of Andres Pico, acquired the property in 1853 and enlarged it. After falling into ruin, it was carefully restored in 1929 by Dr. Mark Harrington, who aimed for authenticity. The main portion measures about 75 by 25 feet, with two wings, clay tile and wood floors, tile roofing, and iron grills at doors and windows. Later it served as a YMCA headquarters before the City of Los Angeles acquired it through the efforts of the San Fernando Historical Society. A 1971 earthquake damaged the walls and made the house unsafe to occupy until repairs are completed.
Significance in brief: The adobe is tied to early San Fernando history: it was first used by pioneer Eulogio De Celis, stands on former Mission San Fernando land, and may incorporate part of a mission building. It was enlarged in 1853 by Romulo Pico and restored in 1929 by Dr. Mark Harrington. The form values it as an authentic example of a composite mission and Hispanic California ranch house.
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 66000211, listed November 13, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 10940 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | November 13, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000211 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architectural style | Composite mission and Hispanic California ranch house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition, restored and altered, on its original site, used as a museum and park and owned by the City of Los Angeles. The February 1971 earthquake cracked walls and left the building unsafe for occupancy until repairs are made. |
| Acreage | 9.5 |
| Coordinates | 34.26881, -118.46830 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 66000211.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7386539
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.