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Casa del Oro
Joseph Boston Store
Casa del Oro in 2013
Location210 Olivier Street, Monterey, California
Coordinates36°36′10″N 121°53′40″W / 36.60278°N 121.89444°W / 36.60278; -121.89444
Built1845; 179 years ago (1845)
Built forThomas O. Larkin
Original useBarracks
Restored1985; 39 years ago (1985)
Restored byState of California
Current useClosed
Architectural style(s)Adobe and wood
OwnerMonterey State Historic Park
Websiteohp.parks.ca.gov/ListedResources/Detail/532
Reference no.532
Casa del Oro is located in Monterey Peninsula
Casa del Oro
Location in the Monterey Peninsula

The Casa del Oro also known as the Joseph Boston Store, is a historic adobe and wood building in Monterey, California, United States. Built in 1845 as an army barracks, then as a hospital for sailors run by Thomas O. Larkin. Later the building was used as the first general store in Monterey run by Joseph Boston in the 1850s. On March, 7, 1955, the building was designated a California Historical Landmark (#532).

History

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Casa del Oro, Scott & Oliver Streets, Monterey, taken in 1939

The Casa del Oro, or "House of Gold" in Spanish, is located at 210 Olivier Street in Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. The 19th century building is part of the Monterey State Historic Park that includes 17 historic buildings in Monterey's old town historic district, including the Custom House, Pacific Building, and the First Theater.[1]

The two-story adobe and chalk building, built in 1845[2] by Thomas O. Larkin, who served as U.S. consul to Alta California druing the Mexican era, was initially used as army barracks and later as a hospital for sailors. Monterey granted Larkin title to a lot that measured 192 ft (59 m) by 110 ft (34 m). The building was sold to José Abrego in July 1848 for $1,850 (equivalent to $65,148 in 2023). The building provided Monterey's first safe for securing gold and public funds. The Casa del Oro name likely originates from a time when the building was used as saloon and later as a gold dust exchange for miners returning from the California Gold Rush. Abrego leased it to Joseph Boston and Co., who operated the first general store in Monterey from 1848 to 1862.[3][4][5] Abrego owned several buildings in this area,[3] including Casa del Oro, which was located across the street from the José Abrego adobe.[6]

In 1850, Boston hired David Jacks, who acquired the building in 1862 and used it as a home and stockroom. Jacks son, Will Jacks, added a southern wing where he resided.[3][4][5]

The Casa del Oro building was given to the California State Parks by the Jack sisters in 1939.[4][3] It became a California Historical Landmark (#532) on March, 7, 1955.[7] Restoration of the building began in 1959, and the southern wing was removed.

In the 1960s through the 1980s, the building was opened to the public.[4][8] It was staffed by volunteers of the Monterey History and Art Association.[8][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ James OilIon (April 8, 1976). "Monterey Old Town District". National Register Of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Monterey, California. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Area Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey Monterey, California" (PDF). City of Monterey. Monterey, California. February 21, 2012. p. 105. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Woodbridge, Sally Byrne (1988). California architecture: Historic American buildings survey. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. pp. 164–165. ISBN 9780877015536. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Casa del Oro-It Was First Store in Monterey". The Berkeley Gazette. Berkeley, California. September 7, 1965. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Joseph Boston Store". California State Parks. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "History of the Abrego Adobe" (PDF). Peninsula Diary Mayo Hayes O'Donnel. April 27, 1950. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Casa del Oro". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks.
  8. ^ a b Norkunas, Martha K. (1993). The Politics of Public Memory. State University of New York Press. p. 105. ISBN 9780791414835. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
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