Site information:

Alhambra Ave and Hwy 4, Martinez

The site is located on the John Muir Historic Site, and has limited access hours. Access to state plaque not restricted.

37.991167,-122.133623

Plaque information:

State plaque at 37.992107,-122.130906

Private plaque at site

State plaque text:

Vicente Martinez Adobe

In 1849, Vicente Martinez built a two-story adobe ranch house on his portion of the Rancho Pinole. This land was inherited from his father, Don Ignacio Martinez, a Spanish officer who became Comandante of the San Francisco Presidio and later Alcade of San Francisco. In 1966 the National Park Service acquired the adobe and it is now open to the public.

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the National Park Service, Joaquin Murrieta Chapter No. 13, E Clampus Vitus and in honor of Louis L. Stein, Jr. July 23, 1983

Private plaque text:

The Vicente Martinez Adobe 1849

Vicente Martínez was born in Santa Barbara on August 18, 1818, the second son of Don Ygnacio and Martina de Arellano Martínez who were married in the Presidio Chapel at Santa Barbara 1802. Don Ygnacio Martínez was a Spanish officer at San Diego and Santa Barbara 1788-1819 and became Comandante of the Presidio of San Francisco 1822-1831 and in 1837 was the third mayor of San Francisco. Rancho Pinole was granted to him in 1823 and he moved his family there in 1836 naming his home Nuestra Senora de la Merced being among the earliest settlers of the Contra Costa. The town of Martinez was named for him. Upon retiring from military service September 30, 1831, he moved his family to the Pueblo de San Jose Guadalupe. At Don Ygnacio's death June 18, 1848, Vicente Martínez inherited this portion of Rancho Pinole and built this adobe in 1849. He sold the adobe on October 6, 1853, to Edward Franklin for whom Franklin Canyon was named. Dr. John T. Strenzel, father-in-law of John Muir, California naturalist, bought this property from Edward Franklin in 1875.

Plaque dedicated April 17 1955 by Contra Costa County Historical Society

Registered 9/24/1953