Liones adobe

Preservationists succeeded in having the adobe declared a Historic-Cultural Landmark the first structure in Los Angeles receiving the designation in The adobe was restored and is now operated as a living museum. The original portion of the adobe dates to , but little is known about its use before it was acquired by Miguel Leonis. The adobe was acquired by Miguel Leonis — in the s or s. Leonis was a bearded, 6-footinch native of the Basque region in the French Pyrenees.

The Adobe was built in stages and by the s Leonis had extensively enlarged and remodeled the adobe into the Monterey Colonial-style mansion that remains today. Leonis walled in the upper and lower porches to add more rooms and also added a Queen Anne-style veranda on the front of the house and paneled the walls of the living room.

He started as an employee at the ranch and bought half of the ranch from its owner when he became ill. The other half of the ranch was owned by a widowed mission Indian, Espiritu Chujilla. He added to his holdings using the California homestead laws. To prevent competing homestead claims, Leonis and his vaqueros were in constant conflict with squatters.

In , a conflict with a group of former Union soldiers who tried to settle on his lands led to two weeks of violence and killings, culminating in a battle in what is now Hidden Hills. At a jury trial in , Espiritu called 40 witnesses who testified that Leonis had publicly acknowledged her as his wife.

When Espiritu died, her son by her first marriage , Juan Menendez, moved into the adobe with his family. Menendez built the barn that stands at the back of the adobe. Menendez was a blacksmith but also made wine and built the tank house at the adobe to store wine.

We have ample parking available for school buses and vehicles. Meet Up at the Adobe. Schedule your next photo shoot at the Leonis Adobe. Our site includes the adobe, main grounds with historic oak tree, over a hundred-year-old barn, and the Calabasas Creek Park with a natural creek, Chumash village, antique ironwork and a large fountain. Book a Tour. Calabasas Creek Park.

The Leonis Adobe Association has used the format of an period park in order to exhibit Calabasas Creek, the replicated Calabasas Jail, original antique park and garden "furniture," and replicated architectural elements of the period to which the Leonis Adobe has been restored. Park Hours. Photo Gallery. If you can't make it to the Adobe in person you can always take a virtual tour by visiting our online gallery. Tour the inside of the Adobe, walk around the grounds, meet some of our animals and experience some of the spectacular functions we hold annually at the Leonis Adobe.

Virtual Tour. It was moved to the Leonis Adobe grounds from its original Hollywood location in Click tile above for more info. Our small herd of Texas Longhorns are beloved members of our ranch family and memorable ambassadors for the numerous San Fernando Valley ranchos of the s. The unique history of Longhorns is one of remarkable adaptation and endurance. Our tour works on your phone, tablet, or PC.

Click image above to explore.