Historical Marker · No. 106
Larkin House
Monterey, Monterey County · California
No state plaque stands here; three other bronzes do, and the two that date the house disagree on the year, 1834 or 1835. Two of them name Larkin as the only United States consul in Mexican California. None mentions that in 1845 Secretary of State James Buchanan also made him a confidential agent, with orders to help any move by Californians to break away from Mexico. His hope of a peaceful handover was overtaken by war in 1846. Alice Larkin Toulmin gave the house to the state in 1957.
What the plaque says
Larkin House This house was constructed in 1834 by Thomas Oliver Larkin, the only United States consul in California under Mexican rule, it has been used as a private residence, the United States consulate, city hall, and served as headquarters of General Stephen W. Kearny and Colonel Richard B. Mason, United States military governors of California in 1846-1847. Donated in 1957 to the State of California by Alice Larkin Toulmin. Larkin House Has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 this site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service 1962 Built in 1835 by Thomas Oliver Larkin only U.S. consul to California under Mexican rule American consulate from 1844 - 1846
Where it stands
36.59800, -121.89623 · Directions
More markers nearby
- House of Four Winds — steps away
- Home of Juan Bautista Alvarado — steps away
- Gutiérrez Adobe — steps away
- Colton Hall — steps away