Spanish adobe opens its doors to visitors

The historic Casa Adobe de San Rafael was open for tours on Sunday, but only a few passersby briefly stopped to take a quick look inside the 135-year-old Spanish adobe.

Nestled in a park in west central Glendale, Casa Adobe is one of about four historical houses preserved by the city, said Margaret Hammond, past president of Glendale Beautiful, a non-profit organization dedicated to beautification and promotion of the city’s history.

But the heat was partly to blame for the lack of interest in the tour, Hammond said.

Curious picnickers in the park walked into the house and quickly made their way through the salon without stopping to look at the items on display.

“The only time people will come and stay in the house for a long time is when there is a special occasion,” said Doyle Kutch, a Glendale Beautiful docent.

Kutch added that Glendale Beautiful hosts the Fiesta de Las Luminarias, an annual open house event at the adobe that is open to Glendale residents during the Christmas holiday season.

During the event, the outside of the house is illuminated with candles and lights and residents are invited to tour the inside of the home.

Despite the attempt to get the public to take interest in the local landmarks, Glendale Beautiful is still faced with the shortage of people who care about historical conservation, Kutch said.

“I always tell people you have to preserve the past to understand the present,” he said.

Built in 1871, Casa Adobe de San Rafael was deeded to Tomás and Maria Sepulveda de Sanchez by Rafaela Verdugo, stepmother of Maria and granddaughter of Jose Verdugo, according to literature provided by Glendale Beautiful.

Tomás Sanchez was one of the early sheriffs of Los Angeles County. He and his wife, Maria, had 21 children.

When Sanchez died in 1882, his wife sold the house to a buyer.

The house was sold again and the land subdivided many times until less than two acres were left of the property.

By 1930, the house began to deteriorate and the owners of the winery surrounding it planned to subdivide the last remaining lot, according to the literature.

But concerned citizens stopped the house from destruction and supported its restoration and purchase by the city in 1935, Hammond said.

“They both came from wealthy families and entertained a lot of people,” Hammond said of the Sanchezes.

But when Maria Sanchez sold the adobe after her husband died, the owners discarded or destroyed the furniture, Kutch said.

The only two remaining original pieces from the home are a serving platter and a storage chest, both owned by Maria Sanchez.

Since its purchase from the city, Casa Adobe has received generous donations of antique period furniture and decorative items from residents and organizations, Kutch said.

Casa Adobe de San Rafael is open for tours every Sunday during July and August and the first Sunday of each month from September through June.

Special group tours can be arranged by calling (818) 548-2184.

FYI:

WHAT: Tours of Casa Adobe de San Rafael

WHERE: 1130 Dorothy Drive, Glendale

WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m., July 23 and 30; Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27; and Sept. 3.

CONTACT: (818) 548-7533