Los Rios, historical district, San Juan Capistrano CA

The Los Rios Street, lies directly across the railroad tracks, from the Capistrano Depot, in San Juan Capistrano. In this historical district are the remains, of the adobe houses which were built in the late 1780's and early 1800's. At that time, about 40 adobes were built, to house the workers, building,Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Then, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, European immigrants came to the area, and a second wave of building ensued. The Los Rios District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 4 1983.

It includes 31 structures, on both sides of the street, in a 40-acre area. Many of the present day houses, are still lived in, by descendants of the original owners.  Others are now used as cafes and other businesses, in the adobe structures

Visitors, who arrive by Amtrack - which has trains stopping at the station throughout the day - have only, to cross the tracks, to enter Los Rios. A stroll along the paved street - which was once only a dirt road - allows visitors to enjoy the Willoiw trees that grow among the Eucalyptus, cactus, Palms, and the riot of bouganvillas, or when tired they can relax in the park and enjoy the tranquility of the area.

Among the many shops, one can browse thru the collectibles, in Hummingbird Cottage;  purchase a gift from the, Lemon Drop Grove, gift shop; or take the children to ride the ponies, feed the goats, and pet the rabbits, at the Petting Zoo.

On a visit to the Oneill Museum, which was built in 1880 and restored in 1979, one will learn about the early California days., while a visit to the Jailhouse, which was built in 1896 as a holding cell for miscreants, in a different location, before being moved to the district, the interesting history unfolds about, several jailbreaks and one hanging.

Of the original adobes, there are only three still standing, and the public is welcome to visit them and hear about what life was like, in the area, centuries ago

1. The Rios Adobe was built in 1794 for Feliciano Rios, a spanish soldier, who came from Spain to be a soldier at the Mission Garrison. The Olive tree, in the front yard, was brought as a seedling from the Holy Land, as a gift to the family. This is one of the adobe which has been occupied by the same family continuously. Members of the Rios family have lived here since 1794, making it the oldest continiously occupied house, by the same family, in California.

The Montanez Adobe, was built in 1794, for Dona Polonia Montanez.  It is listed on the National Historic Register, and was once used to hold Religious services.

The Silvas adobe was built in 1870, to house the workers from Mission San Juan Capistrano, it is part of the historical walking tour of the district.  It can be visited at present, and will be opened,  as a museum, in the future.

All of the shops, cafes and art gardens, are housed in buildings, that have remain, from the 1800s and 1900s. A 1 1/2 hour walking tour of the area, is conducted every sunday at 1:00pm, and is a vgreat way to learn about the history of the district.  The cost is very modest - 2.00 for adults, 1.00 for children.