Adobe House, Mission Style

The Ortega-Vigare Adobe, a state registered landmark named for two of its past owners and situated near the San Gabriel Mission, was built between 1792 and 1806 by a soldier of the mission guard and his family, who lived there for several generations.

After several transformations, the adobe became a home with modern-day conveniences coupled with Mission-style aesthetic touches.

About this house: In the early 1860s, it became San Gabriel’s first bakery, separated from the San Gabriel Mission’s lime orchard by a high cactus wall.

Later, the adobe became a home again, but it was threatened with demolition just before it was purchased about eight years ago by its current owners.

Today, the adobe has such historic touches as 24-inch-thick walls, which help to keep the interiors cool even on the hottest days, although the home now has central air conditioning and heat.

The adobe also has a Spanish look with its fortress-type walls around the property, its grape arbor with vines from the San Gabriel Mission, portals of aged, heavy lumber, custom wall tiles and front courtyard with a fountain.

An entrance of stones and brick set in the ground also lead to a spacious veranda where padre and soldiers once relaxed.

Asking price: $998,000

Size: Three bedrooms, including a master suite, plus a guest house, a smaller version of the main adobe. The guest house also has a carport, and there is a detached, three-car garage. The 4,000-square-foot-plus home is on about three-fourths of an acre, behind walls and a variety of flowering plants and trees.

Features: The living room has high ceilings with what is described as “robust wood beams.” The dining room has a Spanish-style fireplace, Tiffany stained-glass windows and tile floors. The guest house has a separate veranda. The kitchen has been modernized, and there is a second kitchen designed for the Chinese gourmet cook. There is also a newly added pool and spa.

Where: San Gabriel

Listing agent: Ben Burgos, Dilbeck Realtors, (818) 766-3896.