Pio Pico State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pío Pico Casa
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The adobe and grounds after the 2000–2003 restoration
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| Location | 6003 Pioneer Blvd Whittier, California |
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| NRHP reference No. | 73000408 |
| Added to NRHP | June 19, 1973 |
Pío Pico State Historic Park is a special place in Whittier, California. It's where Pío Pico, the very last governor of Alta California when it was still under Mexican rule, lived. This historic home is also known as the Pío Pico Adobe or El Ranchito.
The park is located at 6003 Pioneer Blvd. It is near Whittier Blvd. and Interstate 605. This site is a California Historical Landmark, known as "Casa de Governor Pío Pico". The San Gabriel River is just west of the park. Across the river is the city named after him, Pico Rivera. The park includes the old adobe house and about three acres of land around it.
Contents
The Life of Pío Pico
Pío Pico was an important person in early California history. He was the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule. This was before California became part of the United States.
After the Mexican–American War ended in 1848, Pío Pico started buying land. He bought about 10,000 acres of Rancho Paso de Bartolo. In 1853, he built his home, El Ranchito, on this land.
The Adobe Home: Building and Changes
Pío Pico's home was built in 1853. It was a traditional adobe house. Adobe is a building material made from earth and organic materials.
The house faced challenges from nature. In 1867, floods damaged the home. These floods also changed the path of the San Gabriel River to where it flows today. More severe flooding in 1882 almost destroyed the house completely.
After the floods, the house was rebuilt into its current form. New American-style features were added to the traditional Californio design. This blended two different cultures in the architecture.
Sadly, Pío Pico lost his home in 1892. He had taken what he thought was a loan from a lawyer named Bernard Cohn in 1883. Pico could not read or write English. He had signed a deed for the property, which meant he gave ownership to Cohn. The courts decided in Cohn's favor. Pío Pico had to leave his home. He passed away two years later at his daughter's house, with very little money.
Saving the Historic Park
The City of Whittier began buying parts of the property in 1898. They wanted to build a water pumping station there. But local citizens wanted to save the historic site.
In 1907, a group of Whittier citizens worked to make the site a historic monument. Harriet Williams Russell Strong, who knew Pío Pico, led this effort. She bought the property herself and had it restored in 1909.
The property was given to the State of California in 1917. In 1927, it became one of California's first State Historic Parks. The State of California did more repairs in 1944.
Earthquakes and Restoration
The adobe house was badly damaged in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. This forced the park to close. While money was being raised for repairs, the 1994 Northridge earthquake caused even more damage.
Finally, in 1996, voters in Los Angeles County approved a plan. This plan set aside $2.5 million for the park's restoration. Work on the house began in 2000. The historic gardens were restored in 2002. The park officially reopened on September 20, 2003.
At the reopening event, a re-enactment took place. It showed the Battle of Río San Gabriel. This battle happened nearby during the Mexican–American War.
Keeping the Park Open
In January 2008, California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested closing many state parks. Pio Pico State Historic Park was one of them. This was part of a plan to save money. However, none of these closures happened then.
Later, in 2011, Governor Jerry Brown again targeted the park for closure. This time, the "Friends of Pio Pico" group and the City of Whittier worked together. They raised $80,000 to keep the park from closing. Thanks to their efforts, the park remains open for everyone to visit.
What is a California Historical Landmark?
A California Historical Landmark is a special place. It marks sites that are important to California's history. Pio Pico State Historic Park is California Historical Landmark No. 127.
The marker at the site tells us:
- NO. 127 CASA DE GOVERNOR PÍO PICO - After the Mexican War, Pío Pico, the last Mexican governor, bought 9,000 acres of Rancho Paso de Bartolo. He built an adobe home here. Floods in 1883-1884 destroyed it. His second adobe house, now called Pío Pico Mansion, mixes Mexican and American styles. While living here, the former Governor helped develop American California.
